Question

Calculate the magnitudes of the gravitational forces exerted on the Moon by the Sun and by the Eart when the two forces are in direct competition, that is, when the Sun, Moon and Eart are aligned with the Moon between the Sun and the Earth. This alignment corresponds to a solar eclipse.) Does the orbit of the Moon ever actually curve away from the Sun, toward the Earth? (Please give your answer to three significant figures.)

Answer 1

I used G m1 m2/r^2 to get the forces, for the force between the Earth and the moon I did:
((6.67e-11)(5.97e24)(7.35e22))/(1.737e6 - 6.37e6)^2
and I got 1.36e24

For the force between the Sun and the Moon, I used the distance from earth to the sun and substracted it from the distance between moon to earth.
((1.737e6 - 6.37e6)- (6.96e8 -6.37e6))=6.95e8

and then for the moon to sun force I computed:

((6.67e-11)(7.35e22)(1.9891e30))/(1.737e6 - 6.37e6)^2
and I got 1.40e34... does that look right?