Calculating Force w/ Scientific Notation Answers Coming Out Wrong?

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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.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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