A 7.5-kg rock and a 8.9 × 10-4-kg pebble are held near the surface of the earth. (a) Determine the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on each by the earth. (b) Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of each object when released.

F' = 73.7 N

F = 8.749×10⁻³ N

a' = a =  9.83 m/s²

Explanation:

(a)

For the rock

Applying

F' = Gm'm/r² Equation 1

Where F = magnitude of the gravitational force on the rock, G = Gravitational constant, m' = mass of the rock, m = mass of the earth, r = radius of the earth.

From the question,

Given: m' = 7.5 kg

Constant: m = 5.98×10²⁴ kg, G = 6.67×10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg², r = 6.37×10⁶ m

Substitute these values into equation 1

F' = 6.67×10⁻¹¹ (7.5)(5.98×10²⁴)/(6.37×10⁶)²

F' = 7.37×10¹ N

F' = 73.7 N

Also, For the pebble,

F = GMm/r² Equation 2

Where M = mass of the pebble, F = Gravitational force exerted on the pebble by the earth

Given: M = 8.9×10⁻⁴ kg,

Substitute into equation 2

F = 6.67×10⁻¹¹(8.9×10⁻⁴)(5.98×10²⁴)/(6.37×10⁶)²

F = 8.749×10⁻³ N

(b)

For the rock,

a' = F'/m'

Where a' = magnitude of the acceleration of the rock

a' = 73.7/7.5

a' = 9.83 m/s²

For the pebble,

a = F/M

Where a = acceleration of the pebble

a = (8.749×10⁻³)/(8.9×10⁻⁴)

a = 9.83 m/s²