using newton's law of gravitation, find the force that the earth exerts on the moon. also, find the force the moon exerts on the earth. useful numbers: m (subscript) earth = 5.98 x 10^24 kg; m (subscript) moon = 7.36 x 10^22 kg; distance from the center of the earth to the center of the moon = .38 x 10^9 meters; G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N * m^2 * kg^-2.
2007-02-21 10:39:25 · 2 answers · asked by mandy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Use Newton's law which is Force=GMm/r^2
2007-02-21 10:45:35 · answer #1 · answered by jim m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
F = GMm/r^2 is Newt's gravity equation. M = 5.98 X 10^24 kg, m = 7.36 X 10^22 kg, r = 38 X 10^7 m, and G = 6.67 X 10^-11 (kg-m/sec^2)(m^2/kg^2)
You can do the math.
Lesson learned: the force on Earth is the same as the force on the Moon; its like a tension on a rope keeping the two bodies together while the Moon swings around the Earth. The Moon's force is pulling away due to centrifugal force, while the Earth's force is pulling the Moon back due to centripetal force.
2007-02-21 18:56:33 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋