Question

If F1 is the magnitude of the force exerted

by the Earth on a satellite in orbit about the
Earth and F2 is the magnitude of the force
exerted by the satellite on the Earth, then
which of the following is true?1. F2 > F1.
2. F2 ≫ F1.
3. F1 = F2.
4. F1 > F2.
5. F1 ≫ F

Answer 1

Answer: 3. F1 = F2

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Newton's law of Gravitation, the force
`F` exerted between two bodies or objects of masses
`M` and
`m` and separated by a distance
`r` is equal to the product of their masses divided by the square of the distance:

`F=G(Mm)/(r^2)` (1)

Where
`G`is the gravitational constant

Now, in the especific case of the Earth and the satellite, where the Earth has a mass
`M` and satellite a mass
`m`, being both separated a distance
`r`, the force exerted by the Earth on the satellite is:

`F1=G(Mm)/(r^2)` (2)

And the force exerted by the satellite on the Earth is:

`F2=G(Mm)/(r^2)` (3)

As we can see equations (2) and (3) are equal, hence the magnitude of the gravitational force is the same for both:

`F1=F2`