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Question

The earth and the moon are attracted to each other by gravitational force. Does the earth attract the moon with a force that is greater or smaller or the same as the force with which the moon attracts the earth? Why?


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Solution

Find the force of gravitation:

  1. The earth and the moon attract each other by equal forces of attraction but these forces are opposite in direction.
  2. By the universal law of gravitation, the force between the earth and moon will be proportional to the product of both of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
  3. This is the force by which earth attracts the moon and the moon attracts the earth exactly by the same force. As the value of force is the same thus, the earth attracts the moon and the moon attracts the earth equally.
Gravitational Force Between Two Objects by Ron Kurtus - Physics Lessons:  School for Champions

Hence, the force of attraction between them is equal.


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