Question

A 2.0 kilogram object is falling freely near earth's surface. What is the magnitude of the gravitational force that earth exerts on the object

Answer 1

The gravitational force on a 2.0 kg object near Earth's surface is 19.6 N, calculated using the formula F = m × g, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.80 m/s²).

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the gravitational force that Earth exerts on a 2.0 kilogram object in free fall can be calculated using Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force on an object is equal to its mass times the acceleration due to gravity (F = ma). Near the Earth's surface, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.80 m/s². Therefore, the force of gravity on a 2.0 kg object is:

F = m × g = (2.0 kg) × (9.80 m/s²) = 19.6 N.

Ignoring air resistance, this force also represents the weight of the object since it is in free fall and the only force acting on it is gravity.

Answer 2

The correct answer to the question is : 19.6 N.

EXPLANATION :

As per the question, the mass of the object m = 2.0 Kg.

The object is falling near the earth's surface.

We are asked to calculate the gravitational force.

The gravitational force exerted by earth on the object is equal to the weight of the body. It is so because the weight of the body is the force with which any body on the surface of earth is attracted towards the centre of earth.

The weight of the body is calculated as-

Weight W = mg

Here, g is known as the acceleration due to gravity and g =
`9.8\ m/s^2`

Hence, weight of the body W = 2 × 9.8 N.

= 19.6 N.

Hence, the gravitational force on the object is 19.6 N.