Question

If two objects each with a mass of 3.9 x103 kg, produce a gravitational force between them of 5.9x10-5 N, what is the distance between them?

Answer 1

9.6m

Step-by-step explanation:

Given parameters:

Gravitational force = 5.9 x 10⁻⁵N

Their masses = 3.9 x 10³kg

Unknown

Distance or separation = ?

Solution:

Both of the spherical objects have the same mass as indicated in the problem.

From the newton's law of universal gravitation:

F =
`(G m1 m2)/(r^(2) )`

F is the gravitational force

G is the universal gravitation constant = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹

m1 is the mass of object 1

m2 is the mass of object 2

r is the distance between them

Since m1 = m2 = m

So;

5.9 x 10⁻⁵ =
`(6.67 x 10^(-11) x 3.9 x 10^(3) x 3.9 x 10^(3) )/(r^(2) )`

Therefore;

r = 9.6m