Assume that you have a mass of 50.0 kg. Earth has a mass of 5.97 x 10^24 kg and a radius of 6.38 x 10^6 m.?

Question

Assume that you have a mass of 50.0 kg. Earth has a mass of 5.97 x 10^24 kg and a radius of 6.38 x 10^6 m.

a. What is the force of gravitational attraction between you and Earth.
b. What is your weight.

This seems like a fairly simple problem, but I don't understand how to set it up and work it out.
Please help.

Answer 1

The force of attraction is given by Newton's law, F = G* m1*m2/r^2, where G = universal gravitational constant, 6.67 * 10^-11 N*m^2/kg^2. You have the two masses, and the radius of earth is the distance r. Your weight is the same as the gravitational force.

Answer 2

a.For this problem, you need the force formula, which is:

F=G(1stmass*2ndmass/(distance^2))

So...

F=(6.67*10^-11)*(50 kg*5.97*10^24/(6.38*10^6))^2

So the answer would be...

489.14 J

b.For your weight, you need the weight formula, which is:

W=mg

so...

W=(50 kg)*(9.8N/kg)

so you would weigh..

490 N.

Hope I did everything right.

Answer 3

F(sub g) = Gm1 m2/ r^2 i belive seek up the gravitational consistent, enormous style only google it. m1 is the earth's mass and m2 is your mass r is radius of the earth. next uhh...i dunno i'm guessing multiply 50 kg by using that style.

Answer 4

If you are on the surface, the force of attraction is simply mg = 50.0(9.81) = 491 N, which is also your weight.