Question

The mass of the Sun is 2x1030 kg, and the mass of Mars is 6.4x1023 kg. The distance from the Sun to Mars is 2.3X1011 m. Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by the Sun on Mars. N Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by Mars on the Sun. N

Answer 1

Answer: force from sun to mars = $1.62*10^{19} N$, force from mars to sun = $-1.62*10^{19} N$

Explanation: The force of attraction or repulsion between 2 object ( in this case the sun and mars ) in space is given by newton's law of gravitation which is given mathematically below as

$F =\frac{Gm_{s} m_{m} }{r^{2} }$

where $G = 6.67 * 10^{-11} , m_{s} = 2*10^{30}kg m_{m} = 6.4 *10^{23} kg\\r = 2.3 *10^{11} m$

G = gravitational constant, $m_{m}$= mass of mars, $m_{s}$ = mass of sun

$F = \frac{6.64 * 10 ^{-11}* 2 * 10^{30} *6.4*10^{23}} {2.3*10^{11} * 2.3* 10^{11} } =\frac{85.376 *10^{42} }{5.25 *10^{22} } \\\\F = 1.62 * 10 ^{19} N$

the mars also exerts the same magnitude of force above on the sun but in the opposite direction, thus the force mars exerts on the sun is $-1.62*10^{19} N$