Question

Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the earth (m = 5.98 x 10^24 kg) and a 70-kg physics student if the student is standing at sea level, a distance of 6.38 x 10^6 m from the earth's center.

A) 6.67 x 10^(-10) N
B) 6.67 x 10^(-11) N
C) 6.67 x 10^(-12) N
D) 6.67 x 10^(-13) N

Answer 1

To determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and a physics student, we can use Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. The force of gravitational attraction is approximately 6.67 x 10^-11 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and a physics student, we can use Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. The equation is given by:

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

Where F is the force of attraction, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects, and r is the distance between their centers of mass.

In this case, the mass of the Earth (m1) is given as 5.98 x 10^24 kg and the mass of the physics student (m2) is given as 70 kg. The distance (r) is given as 6.38 x 10^6 m.

Plugging in these values and solving for F, we get:

F = (6.674 x 10^-11 N*m^2/kg^2) * (5.98 x 10^24 kg) * (70 kg) / (6.38 x 10^6 m)^2

Simplifying the expression, we find that the force of gravitational attraction is approximately 6.67 x 10^-11 N.