Question

Two spherical objects have masses of 3.1 x 10^5 kg and 6.5 x 10^3 kg. The gravitational attraction between them is 65 N. How far apart are their centers? (answer to 2 digits)

Answer 1

4.55 x 10⁹m

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass of object 1 = 3.1 x 10⁵kg

Mass of object 2 = 6.5 x 10³kg

Gravitational force = 65N

Unknown:

Distance between them = ?

Solution:

To solve this problem, we use the expression below from the universal gravitational law;

Fg =
`(G mass 1 x mass 2)/(distance ^(2) )`

G = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹

65 =
`(6.67 x 10^(11) x 3.1 x 10^(5) x 6.5 x 10^(3) )/(distance^(2) )`

Distance = 4.55 x 10⁹m