Question

With the sun and the earth back in their regular positions,consider a space probe with mass mp = 125 kg launched from the earth towardthe sun. When the probe is exactly halfway between the earth andthe sun along the line connecting them, what is the direction ofthe net gravitational force acting on the probe? Ignore the effects of other massive objectsin the solar system, such as the moon and other planets.

A. The force is toward the sun.
B. The force is toward the earth.
C. There is no net force because neither the sunnor the earth attracts the probe gravitationally at themidpoint.
D. There is no net force because the gravitationalattractions on the probe due to the sun and the earth are equal insize but point in opposite directions, so they cancel each otherout.

Answer 1

A

Step-by-step explanation:

Gravitational force given by

F_ps =G(m_pM_s)/r^2

G= gravitational constant

m_p=mass of the probe =125 Kg

M_s= mass of sun

r= distance between probe and Sun.

Similarly, F_pe = G(m_pM_e)/r^2.

m_p = mass of probe

M_e = mass of earth

Clearly, M_s> M_e . Therefore, F_ps> F_pe.

Hence, A. The force is toward the sun.