How Do You Calculate the Mass of Each Tanker Using the Universal Law of Gravity?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the mass of each tanker using the Universal Law of Gravity, start with the formula F = G x m1 x m2 / r^2. Given that the two tankers have equal mass, you can express their masses as m, leading to the equation F = G x m^2 / r^2. By rearranging the formula, you can isolate m^2 and substitute the known values: F = 3.5 x 10^3 N, r = 85 m, and G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N·m²/kg². After calculating m^2, take the square root to find the mass of each tanker, resulting in approximately 6.16 x 10^8 kg. This method effectively demonstrates the application of gravitational principles to determine mass.
Rgonzales
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Homework Statement



Two tankers of equal mass attract each other with a force of 3.5 x 10(to the power of 3)N. If their centres are 85m apart, what is the mass of each tanker?

mass of 2 tankers = ?
F= 3.5 x 10(to the power of 3)N
r= 85m
G = 6.67 x 10(to the power of -11) N.m(squared)/kg(squared)

Homework Equations



F = G x m1 x m2
r(squared)

The Attempt at a Solution



How do i attemp this question? Please help me.
 
Last edited:
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Given this:

Rgonzales said:
Two tankers of equal mass

why do you have two separate masses, m1 and m2?
 
Rgonzales said:
Two tankers of equal mass attract each other ...

What does that tell you about m1 and m2?
 
yeah i just noticed awhile ago...so do i just sub them all the info and isolate the variable of the tank?
 
Last edited:
step 1 since the two mases are the same you can express it as m(^2)
step 2 rearrange the formula to get m(^2) =3.5x10(^3) x 85(^2)/6.67x10(^-11)
step 3 square root the final answer to get the mass of the tanker and you should get 6.16x10(^8)N
 

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