The drawing (not to scale) shows one alignment of the sun, earth, and moon. The gravitational force F SM that the sun exerts on the moon is perpendicular to the force F EM that the earth exerts on the moon. The masses are: mass of sun = 1.99 × 1030 kg, mass of earth = 5.98 × 1024 kg, mass of moon = 7.35 × 1022 kg. The distances shown in the drawing are rsM = 1.50 × 1011 m and rEM = 3.85 x 10° m. Determine the magnitude of the net gravitational force on the moon.
Gravitational force
In nature, every object is attracted by every other object. This phenomenon is called gravity. The force associated with gravity is called gravitational force. The gravitational force is the weakest force that exists in nature. The gravitational force is always attractive.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
In fundamental physics, gravity or gravitational force is the universal attractive force acting between all the matters that exist or exhibit. It is the weakest known force. Therefore no internal changes in an object occurs due to this force. On the other hand, it has control over the trajectories of bodies in the solar system and in the universe due to its vast scope and universal action. The free fall of objects on Earth and the motions of celestial bodies, according to Newton, are both determined by the same force. It was Newton who put forward that the moon is held by a strong attractive force exerted by the Earth which makes it revolve in a straight line. He was sure that this force is similar to the downward force which Earth exerts on all the objects on it.
Given that:
Mass of sun, Ms = 1.99X 1030 kg
Mass of earth,Me = 5.98 X 1024 Kg
Mass of moon, Mm= 7.35X 1022 kg
Radius between sun to moon, rsm = 1.5 X 1011 m
radius between Earth to moon, rem= 3.85 X 108 m
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