Question

A moon orbits an isolated planet in deep space. Which of the following forces that the planet exerts on the moon can be considered as negligible?

Answer 1

The force exerted by the moon on the planet can be considered as negligible.

Step-by-step explanation:

The force that the planet exerts on the moon that can be considered as negligible is the force exerted by the moon on the planet (option b). According to Newton's third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, while the Earth exerts a force on the moon to keep it in orbit, the moon also exerts a force on the Earth. However, the force exerted by the moon on the Earth is much smaller compared to the force exerted by the Earth on the moon, due to the difference in their masses.