Question

Two particles have a mass of 8 kg and 12 kg, respectively. If they are 800 mm apart, determine the force of gravity acting between them. Compare this result with the weight of each particle.

Answer 1

The gravitational force between the masses is
`1.0* 10^(-8)Newtons`

Step-by-step explanation:

For 2 masses 'm' and 'M' separated by a distance 'd' the gravitational force between them is given by Newton as

`F=G\cdot (mM)/(d^(2))`

where

'G' is universal gravitational constant whose value is
`6.67* 10^(-11)m^3kg^(-1)s^(-2)`

Applying the values in the above relation we get

`F=6.67* 10^(-11)* (8* 12)/((800* 10^(-3))^(2))=1.0* 10^(-8)Newtons`

Weight of 8 kg mass =
`8* 9.81=78.45Newtons`

Weight of 12 kg mass =
`12* 9.81=117.72Newtons`

thus we see that gravitational force between the masses is completely negligible as compared to the weight of the masses.