To compare the gravitational forces between Earth, Titan, Saturn, and Pluto, we need to consider the masses of these celestial bodies and the distances between them.
-
Gravitational Force Basics: The gravitational force between two objects is calculated using Newton's law of universal gravitation: \[ F = \frac{G \cdot m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2} \] where \( F \) is the gravitational force, \( G \) is the gravitational constant, \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) are the masses of the two objects, and \( r \) is the distance between their centers.
-
Gravitational Force Between Earth and Titan: Titan is a moon of Saturn, and therefore the gravitational force between Earth and Titan is relatively weak since Titan is much farther from Earth compared to its proximity to Saturn.
-
Gravitational Force Between Saturn and Titan: Saturn, being Titan's parent body, exerts a significantly stronger gravitational force on Titan due to its large mass compared to Earth.
-
Gravitational Force Between Earth and Saturn: The gravitational force between Earth and Saturn is also considerable, as both have significant mass.
-
Comparison with Pluto: Pluto is far less massive than both Earth and Saturn, and while it may be considered in a distant, comparative gravitational scenario, the more relevant comparison here is that Earth significantly outweighs Pluto, meaning the gravitational force between Earth and Titan is still measurable compared to the interaction with Pluto.
From these considerations, the most accurate statement is:
"The gravitational force between Earth and Titan is less than that between Saturn and Titan."
This is because Saturn's mass has a stronger effect on Titan due to its proximity, compared to the gravitational force exerted by Earth.
Therefore, the correct statement is: The gravitational force between Earth and Titan is less than that between Saturn and Titan.
1 answer