There is a cloud of marbles far out in space. The distance from one end of the c

Question

There is a cloud of marbles far out in space. The distance from one end of the cloud to the other is D, and the marbles all have mass m. Near the cloud are two asteroids. One of the asteroids has mass M and is located a distance D from the near edge of the cloud, while the other has mass 12M and is located a distance 3D from the near edge of the cloud, as shown in the illustration below.

At the edge of the cloud closest to the asteroids is a red marble, and at the edge furthest from the asteroids is a blue marble. For each of the asteroid/marble pairings listed below, What is the expression that gives the correct gravitational force of attraction, and place it in the corresponding bin.

bin 1: Gravitational force between smaller asteroid and red marble

bin 2: gravitational force between smaller asteroid and blue marble

bin3: gravitational force between larger asteroid and red marble

bin 4: gravitational force between larger asteroid and blue marble

Explanation / Answer

1: Gravitational force between smaller asteroid and red marble = (G*M*m)/ D^2
2: Gravitational force between smaller asteroid and blue marble = (G*M*m)/ (4*D^2)
3: gravitational force between larger asteroid and red marble = (G*12M*m)/ (9*D^2)
4: gravitational force between larger asteroid and blue marble = (G*12M*m)/ (16*D^2)

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.