Question

An object of weight W is in freefall close to the surface of Earth. The magnitude of the force that the object exerts on Earth is _____.

(A) greater than W
(B) less than W
(C) equal to W
(D) zero
(E) cannot be determined without knowing the relative masses of the object and the earth

Answer 1

Equal to W

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that, an object of weight W is in free fall close to the surface of Earth. Weight of an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration. On the surface of Earth, the weight is given by :

`W=mg`

`g=9.8\ m/s^2`

The magnitude of the force that the object exerts on Earth is equal to W as per the Newton's third law of motion. The force exerted from one object to another object must be equal to and opposite to the force exerted from object 2 to 1.

So, the correct option is (c) "equal to W".