Question

Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on a 4.20 kg baby by a 100 kg father 0.200 m away at birth (he is assisting, so he is close to the child).

a) 0.833 N
b) 1.67 N
c) 2.50 N
d) 3.34 N

Answer 1

The magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the baby by the father is approximately 0.8348 N.

To calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the baby by the father, we can use Newton's law of universal gravitation. The formula is given as:

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

Where:

F is the magnitude of the gravitational force,

G is the gravitational constant (6.674 × 10^-11 N·m²/kg²),

m1 and m2 are the masses of the baby and the father respectively (in this case, m1 = 4.20 kg and m2 = 100 kg),

r is the distance between the baby and the father (0.200 m).

Using these values in the formula, we have:

F = (6.674 × 10^-11) * (4.20 * 100) / (0.200^2)

F = 0.8348 N.

Therefore, the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the baby by the father is approximately 0.8348 N.