Question

Find the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on a 66.5 kg astronaut on the surface of Planet X if the planet has a radius of 4.40 x 10⁶ m and a mass of 8.43 x 10²³ kg. (Use G= 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ Nm/kg²)

Answer 1

The correct formula to use is: F = G [M1*M2] /r^2
Where,
G = the force of gravity
M1 = the mass of the first object [the mass of the astronaut]
M2 = the mass of the second object [the mass of the planet]
r = the distance between the two objects in metre
F = 6.67 * 10^-11 [66.5 * 8.43 * 10^23] / [4.40 * 10^6]^2
F = 193N.