The gravitational force between two asteroids is 6.2 × 108 N. Asteroid Y has three times the mass of asteroid Z. If the distance between the asteroids is 2100 kilometers, what is the mass of asteroid Y?

1.1x10¹⁶ kg

Explanation:

Let m =  mass of asteroid y.

Because asteroid y has three times the mass of asteroid z, the mass of asteroid z is m/3.

Given:

F = 6.2x10⁸ N

d = 2100 km = 2.1x10⁶ m

Note that

G = 6.67408x10⁻¹¹ m³/(kg-s²)

The gravitational force between the asteroids is

F = (G*m*(m/3))/d² = (Gm²)/(3d²)

or

m² = (3Fd²)/G

    = [(3*(6.2x10⁸ N)*(2.1x10⁶ m)²]/(6.67408x10⁻¹¹ m³/(kg-s²))

   = 1.229x10³² kg²

m = 1.1086x10¹⁶ kg = 1.1x10¹⁶ kg (approx)

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