Question

Two masses are precisely 1 m apart from each other. The gravitational force each exerts on the other is exactly 1 N. If the masses are identical, what is each mass?

Answer 1

122444 Kg

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the formula for gravitational force;

F= Gm1m2/r^2

Given that

G = constant of gravitation = 6.67 × 10−11 newton-metre2-kilogram−2.

m1 and m2 = the masses

r= distance of separation

Note that the question specifically mentioned that the masses are identical

so m1=m2 = m^2

F= Gm^2/r^2

Fr^2 = Gm^2

m^2 = Fr^2/G

m^2 = 1 × 1^2/6.67 × 10−11:

m =√ 6.67 × 10−11

m= 122444 Kg