Question

The gravitational force acting between the Earth and a 1500-kg car is approximately 14,000 Newtons. What would be the gravitational force acting between the Earth and a 3000-kg hippopotamus?(1 point)
Responses

14,000 Newtons
14,000 Newtons

56,000 Newtons
56,000 Newtons

28,000 Newtons
28,000 Newtons

7,000 Newtons

1 answer

To calculate the gravitational force between the Earth and any object, we can use the formula:

\[ F = m \cdot g \]

where:

  • \( F \) is the gravitational force,
  • \( m \) is the mass of the object, and
  • \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.8 , \text{m/s}^2 \) on the surface of the Earth).

From the given information:

  • The gravitational force acting on a 1500 kg car is approximately 14,000 N. This means: \[ 14,000 , \text{N} \approx 1500 , \text{kg} \cdot g \]

To find the value of \( g \): \[ g \approx \frac{14,000 , \text{N}}{1500 , \text{kg}} \approx 9.33 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

Now, let's calculate the gravitational force acting between the Earth and a 3000 kg hippopotamus: \[ F = 3000 , \text{kg} \cdot g \]

Assuming \( g \) is approximately \( 9.33 , \text{m/s}^2 \): \[ F \approx 3000 , \text{kg} \cdot 9.33 , \text{m/s}^2 \] \[ F \approx 28,000 , \text{N} \]

Therefore, the gravitational force acting between the Earth and a 3000-kg hippopotamus is approximately 28,000 Newtons.

The correct response is: 28,000 Newtons.