Question

The gravitational force between two objects that are 2.1 times 10^-1 m apart is 3.2 times 10^-6 N. If the mass of one object is 55kg what is the mass of the other object?

Answer 1

Mass of the other object is 38.45 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

The gravitational force between two objects is,
`F=3.2* 10^(-6)` N

Mass of one object is,
`m_(1)=55\ kg`

Distance between the objects is,
`r=2.1* 10^(-1)\ m`

Gravitational constant is,
`G =6.674* 10^(-11)\ m^3 kg^(-1)s^(-2)`

Let the mass of the other object be
`m_(2)\ kg`

Gravitational force is given as:

`F=(Gm_1m_2)/(r^2)`

Plug in the given values and solve for
`m_2`. This gives,

`3.2* 10^(-6)=(6.674* 10^(-11)* 55* m_2)/((2.1* 10^(-1))^2)\\3.2* 10^(-6)=(6.674* 10^(-11)* 55* m_2)/(0.0441)\\3.2* 10^(-6)=8.3236* 10^(-8)m_2\\m_2=(3.2* 10^(-6))/(8.3236* 10^(-8))= 38.45\ kg`

Therefore, the mass of the other object is 38.45 kg.