Forces of gravitation of moon and earth + Newtons 3rd law

In summary: So, the force exerted by the Earth's gravitation on the moon is greater than the force exerted by the moon's gravitation on the Earth.In summary, when considering the gravitational interaction between two objects, such as the Earth and moon, there are two pairs of partner forces. The force of gravity exerted by the Earth on the moon is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force exerted by the moon on the Earth. This is in accordance with Newton's law of gravitation, which states that the force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Therefore, although the gravity on the moon may be less than on Earth, the
  • #1
Abhishek Jain
9
0
In relation to two objects with a gravitational field on them (i.e. a planet and its moon), would there be two pairs of partner forces (the force of gravity exerted from each object and the resulting partner force from each force of gravity)? For example with the Earth and moon:

1. Force of gravity exerted on the moon by the Earth = - Force exerted on Earth by moon
2. Force of gravity exerted on the Earth by the moon = - Force exerted on moon by earth

Or is the force of gravity exerted by the moon on Earth = - force of gravity exerted by the Earth on moon? My intuition would say my first answer is correct?
 
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  • #2
Abhishek Jain said:
is the force of gravity exerted by the moon on Earth = - force of gravity exerted by the Earth on moon
This one.

The gravitational interaction between the Earth and moon results in one pair of forces.
 
  • #3
They would have to be equal though? Isn't the force exerted by the moon's gravitation on the Earth going to be less than the force exerted by the Earth's gravitation on the moon (since gravity is less on the moon)?
 
  • #4
Abhishek Jain said:
They would have to be equal though?
Equal magnitude, opposite direction. Yes.
Abhishek Jain said:
Isn't the force exerted by the moon's gravitation on the Earth going to be less than the force exerted by the Earth's gravitation on the moon (since gravity is less on the moon)?
Work it out. What does Newton's law of gravitation say?
 
  • #5
Thanks! I didn't know that G is the same between any two objects. That was what was confusing me!
 
  • #6
Abhishek Jain said:
They would have to be equal though? Isn't the force exerted by the moon's gravitation on the Earth going to be less than the force exerted by the Earth's gravitation on the moon (since gravity is less on the moon)?

But the Earth is more massive than the moon and the force is based on the product of the masses.
 

1. How do the forces of gravitation between the moon and earth work?

The forces of gravitation between the moon and earth are mutual, meaning that both objects exert a gravitational force on each other. This is because every object with mass has a gravitational pull, and the strength of this pull is determined by the mass and distance between the objects.

2. What is the relationship between Newton's 3rd law and the forces of gravitation between the moon and earth?

Newton's 3rd law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of the forces of gravitation between the moon and earth, the action is the earth's gravitational pull on the moon, and the reaction is the moon's gravitational pull on the earth.

3. How does the distance between the moon and earth affect the forces of gravitation?

The forces of gravitation between the moon and earth are inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance between the two objects increases, the force of gravitation decreases. This is why the moon has a weaker gravitational pull on objects on earth compared to the earth's own gravitational pull.

4. Can the forces of gravitation between the moon and earth be affected by other objects?

Yes, the forces of gravitation between the moon and earth can be affected by other objects with mass. This is because every object with mass exerts a gravitational force on other objects, regardless of their distance or size.

5. How do the forces of gravitation between the moon and earth affect tides?

The forces of gravitation between the moon and earth are responsible for causing tides on earth. The moon's gravitational pull on the earth creates a bulge of water on the side of the earth closest to the moon, while the opposite side experiences a weaker gravitational pull, resulting in a second bulge. As the earth rotates, these bulges create the high and low tides we experience on a daily basis.

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