Chemistry 1.1: Newton's Law of Gravitation

Newton's Law of Gravitation

by Amie Ojerio

Open Ended

Two comets are 3.0 x 10^2 m apart. One comet has a mass of 8.0 x 10^4 kg. The force between them is 1.48 x 10^-6 N. What is the mass of the other comet?

​Step 1

Determine your known and unknown variables:

​Fg = 1.48 x 10^-6 N

​G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N-m^2/kg^2

m1 = 8.0 x 10^4 kg

​m2 = ?

​r = 3.0 x 10^2 m

​

​Step 2

​Plug variables into formula:

​

​1.48 x 10^-6 N = 6.67 x 10^-11 N-m^2/kg^2 (8.0 x 10^4 kg)(m2)

​

​(3.0 x 10^2 m)^2

​Step 3

​Solve for unknown:

​

​m2 = 25,000kg