Gravitational attraction problem

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the gravitational attraction between Tom and Sally, use the formula F = G(MaMb/d^2), where G is the gravitational constant, Ma is Tom's mass, Mb is Sally's mass, and d is the distance between them. Tom's mass is 70.0 kg and Sally's mass is 50.0 kg, with a distance of 20.0 m separating them. The instruction to assume they can be replaced by spherical masses simplifies the calculation, allowing the use of their masses as point-like objects. The confusion arises from understanding this assumption, but it essentially means to treat them as if all their mass is concentrated at a single point. The problem is straightforward once the values are plugged into the equation.
xbeachbabeee
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Tom has a mass of 70.0 kg and Sally has a mass of 50.0 kg. Tom and Sally are standing 20.0 m apart on the dance floor. Sally looks up and sees Tom. She feels an attraction. If the attraction is gravitational, find its size. Assume that both Tom and Sally can be replaced by spherical masses.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you know the equation for gravitational force?
 
F = G(MaMb/d^2)
 
Then what is the problem? It looks like just a plug in situation no?
 
All you need to do is put the numbers in. Is there something specific that you're unsure of?
 
yeah i was just a little confused as to what "Assume that both Tom and Sally can be replaced by spherical masses" means..
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

How Strong is the Gravitational Pull Between Tom and Sally?
Replies
5
Views
4K
Find the attractive force of gravity between two objects
Replies
8
Views
2K
Gravitational attraction of plumbline
Replies
8
Views
2K
Gravitation attraction of inner portion problem
Replies
1
Views
884
Variation of gravitational attraction between Sun and Earth
Replies
3
Views
2K
Gravitational attraction question
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculating Tidal Range (Gravitation)
Replies
12
Views
2K
Introductory Physics - Finding "little g"
Replies
5
Views
3K
Kinematics problem-finding acceleration
Replies
5
Views
12K
Find the force of attraction for a particle outside sphere
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top