How Strong Is the Sun's Gravitational Pull on Earth?

In summary, the Earth experiences gravitational pull from both the moon and the sun, but the sun's pull is much stronger due to its larger mass. Using the formula for gravitational force, the acceleration of the Earth due to the sun's pull is calculated to be approximately 0.0177 m/s^2.
  • #1
whitetiger
22
0
The Earth is subject not only to the gravitational force of the moon but also to the gravitational pull of the sun. However, the
earth is much farther away from the sun than it is from the moon. In fact, the center of the Earth is at an average distance of 1.5 x 10^11 m
from the center of the sun. Given that the mass of the sun is 1.99 x 10^30 kg,

Find the acceleration of the Earth due to the sun's gravitational pull

Can someone help me with this problem

acceleration a = F/m
F = Gmm/r^2

Thank you
 
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  • #2
Plug&chug your numbers into your formula! :smile:
 
  • #3
is this right?
F= ((6.67x10^-11)(1.99 x 10 ^30)(5.97 x 10^24kg))/(1.5 x
10^11 m)^2
= 3.52 x 10 ^28

a = F/m = 3.52 x 10^28 N / 1.99 x 10^30 kg = .0177 m/s^2

can someone please check my method

thank
 

Related to How Strong Is the Sun's Gravitational Pull on Earth?

1. What is the gravitational pull of the sun?

The gravitational pull of the sun is the force exerted by the sun's mass on other objects in the solar system. It is responsible for keeping the planets in orbit around the sun.

2. How does the gravitational pull of the sun affect the planets?

The gravitational pull of the sun determines the shape and size of the planets' orbits, as well as their speed and direction of motion.

3. Is the gravitational pull of the sun the same on all objects?

No, the gravitational pull of the sun varies depending on an object's distance from the sun. The closer an object is to the sun, the stronger the gravitational pull.

4. How is the gravitational pull of the sun measured?

The gravitational pull of the sun can be measured using Newton's law of universal gravitation, which takes into account the mass and distance of the sun and the object in question.

5. Can the gravitational pull of the sun change?

The gravitational pull of the sun remains relatively constant, but it can be affected by the presence of other massive objects in the solar system, such as planets or asteroids.

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