Question

My last problem for the day:
A) The centers of two 11.00 kg spheres are separated by 0.09 m. What is their gravitational attraction?

I got 9.96 x 10^-7 N.

B) What is the ratio of this attraction to the weight of one of the spheres (at the surface of the Earth)?

I'm sure this is probably really easy, but we haven't covered ratios in my class yet, and I don't have my book with me. Can I please get some help?

Answer 1

A)(6.67*10^-11)*(11)^2/(0.09)^2
= 9.97*10^-7 N You are correct
B) To get a ratio, you just divide one number by the other. The other number is M g = 107.8 N

The ratio of x to y is x/y, by definition. So in your case, the ratio is 9.97*10^-7/107.8 = ?
It's roughly 10^-8

Answer 2

Great I got it, thanks for all your help.