The gravitational force acting between two objects is calculated using 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 problem, we know that the gravitational force acting on a 1500-kg car is approximately 14,000 Newtons. This indicates that:
\[ F_{car} = 1500 , \text{kg} \cdot g = 14,000 , \text{N} \]
To find \( g \), we can rearrange the equation:
\[ g \approx \frac{14,000 , \text{N}}{1500 , \text{kg}} \approx 9.33 , \text{m/s}^2 \]
Now, let's calculate the gravitational force acting on a 3000-kg hippopotamus:
\[ F_{hippo} = 3000 , \text{kg} \cdot g \]
Using \( g \approx 9.33 , \text{m/s}^2 \):
\[ F_{hippo} \approx 3000 , \text{kg} \cdot 9.33 , \text{m/s}^2 \] \[ F_{hippo} \approx 28,000 , \text{N} \]
Thus, the gravitational force acting between the Earth and a 3000-kg hippopotamus is approximately 28,000 Newtons.