Question

(a) What is the force of gravity between two 1160 kg cars separated by a distance of 35 m on an interstate highway? (b) How does this force compare with the weight of a car?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

(a) Mass of the cars, m₁ = m₂ = 1160 kg

Distance between cars, d = 35 m

The gravitational force between two cars is given by :

`F=G(m_1m_2)/(d^2)`

`F=6.67* 10^(-11)* ((1160)^2)/((35)^2)`

`F=7.32* 10^(-8)\ N`

So, the force of gravity between the cars is
`7.32* 10^(-8)\ N`.

(b)The weight of a car is given by :

`W=mg`

`W=1160* 9.8`

W = 11368 N

On comparing,

`(W)/(F)=(11368)/(7.32* 10^(-8))`

`(W)/(F)=1.55* 10^(11)`

`W=1.55* 10^(11)* F`

So, the weight of the car is
`1.55* 10^(11)` times the force of gravitation between the cars.