A distance of 0.002 m separates two objects of equal mass. If the gravitational force between them is 0.0104 N, find the mass of each object.

24.97 kg

Explanation:

The gravitational force between two objects of masses M1, and M2 respectively, and separated by a distance R, is:

F = G*(M1*M2)/R^2

Where G is the gravitational constant:

G = 6.67*10^-11 m^3/(kg*s^2)

In this case, we know that

R = 0.002m

F = 0.0104 N

and that M1 = M2 = M

And we want to find the value of M, then we can replace those values in the equation to get

0.0104 N = (6.67*10^-11 m^3/(kg*s^2))*(M*M)/(0.002m)^2

(0.0104 N)*(0.002m)^2/(6.67*10^-11 m^3/(kg*s^2)) = M^2

623.69 kg^2 = M^2

√(623.69 kg^2) = M = 24.97 kg

This means that the mass of each object is 24.97 kg