The sun is more massive than the moon, but the sun is farther from the earth. Which one exerts a greater gravitational force on a person standing on the earth? Give your answer by determining the ratio Fsun/Fmoon of the magnitudes of the gravitational forces. Use the data on the inside of the front cover.

Answer 1

F = G M m/r^2

Fmoon = Gm (Mmoon/(distance moon-earth)^2
Fsun = Gm (Msun/(distance sun-earth)^2

Fsun/Fearth = (Msun /Mmoon)[moon-earth)^2/(sun-earth)^2]