Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation Formula and Explanation
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation To calculate the force of gravitation F = G m1m2 d2 m1 and m2 = the mass of the objects in kg G = gravitational constant of 6.67 x 10 -11 N*m2/kg2 d is the distance between the objects in m F = gravitational force between the 2 objects
Gravitational Force If the value of the constant gravitational force G were to increase by a factor of 10, we would be crushed If G were to decrease by a factor of 10, we would be able to jump over a tall building
Sample Problem 1 Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the earth (m = 5.98 x 1024 kg) and a 70-kg physics student if the student is standing at sea level, a distance of 6.38 x 106 m from earth's center. F = Gm1m2 = (6.67 x 10 -11 N*m2/kg2 )*(5.98 x 1024 kg )*(70kg) d2 (6.38 x 106m)2 F = 686N
Sample Problem 2 Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the earth (m = 5.98 x 1024 kg) and a 70-kg physics student if the student is in an airplane at 40000 feet above earth's surface. This would place the student a distance of 6.39 x 106 m from earth's center. F =Gm1m2 = (6.67 x 10 -11 N*m2/kg2 )*(5.98 x 1024 kg )*(70kg) d2 (6.39 x 106m)2 F = 684 N