Calculating Force w/ Scientific Notation Answers Coming Out Wrong?

AI Thread Summary
The calculation of gravitational force using the Universal Law of Gravitation was performed with masses of 5 kg and 2.5 kg, separated by 0.1414 meters. The formula applied was G (6.67e-11) multiplied by the product of the masses, divided by the square of the distance. The initial answer calculated was 4.17e-8, but the expected answer was 4.171e-14. The discrepancy was due to the incorrect assumption that the masses were in grams instead of kilograms. This highlights the importance of ensuring proper unit conversions in physics calculations.
mcdowellmg
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This is a simple question. I am calculating the force of two masses based on the Universal Law of Gravitation. I am setting up the equation as G (gravitational constant of 6.67e-11)*mass1*mass2 all divided by the distance between the masses squared.

This particular question is about masses of 5 and 2.5 that are .1414 meters apart, so I am doing (6.67e-11*5*2.5)/(.1414^2) and getting 4.17e-8 as the answer.

HOWEVER, the answer is apparently 4.171e-14.

Is this a calculator error (TI-89) or a formula error?

Thank you.
 
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Are you sure the masses are in kilograms, not grams?
 
Thanks! Perhaps I've been a little stressed today. That is exactly what was wrong.
 

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