How Strong is the Moon's Gravitational Pull on a 1-kg Mass on Earth?

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SUMMARY

The gravitational force exerted by the Moon on a 1-kg mass on Earth is calculated using Newton's law of universal gravitation. The correct formula is F = (G * m_moon * m_object) / r^2, where G is the gravitational constant (6.67 x 10^-11 N(m/kg)^2), m_moon is 7.4 x 10^22 kg, and r is the distance from the Earth to the Moon (approximately 3.84 x 10^20 m). The resulting force is approximately 1.99 x 10^-20 N, which is significantly weaker than the gravitational pull of Earth (9.8 N), confirming that the Moon's gravitational influence on a 1-kg mass is negligible compared to that of Earth.

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A 1-kg mass at the Earth's surface is gravitationally attracted to Earth with a force of 9.8 N. Calculate the force of gravity with which the 1-kg mass on Earth is attracted to the moon. (The moon's mass is 7.4 x 10^22 kg)

Would this be setup correctly?


F=(G me mb)/r^2

F=(6.67*10^(-11))(7.4*10^22 kg)(5.98*10^24 kg)/(3.84*10^20)^2=1.99*10^20 N

F=ma
F=(1kg)(1.99*10^20 N)=1.99*10^20 N
 
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Do you really think that your answer makes sense? That an object right on the surface of the huge Earth feels a force of about 10 N towards the earth, but also feels a force a gazillion times bigger pulling it to the smaller and more distant moon?

Hint: You need the gravitational force between Object and Moon, so the only masses involved would be that of the object and the moon.
 

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