How Strong Is the Sun's Gravitational Pull on Earth?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the gravitational pull of the sun on Earth, emphasizing that the distance from Earth to the sun is approximately 1.5 x 10^11 meters. The gravitational force is derived using the formula F = Gmm/r^2, where G is the gravitational constant, and the masses of the sun and Earth are 1.99 x 10^30 kg and 5.97 x 10^24 kg, respectively. The calculated gravitational force is approximately 3.52 x 10^28 N. Subsequently, the acceleration of Earth due to the sun's gravity is determined to be about 0.0177 m/s^2. The method used for these calculations is confirmed to be correct by participants in the discussion.
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The Earth is subject not only to the gravitational force of the moon but also to the gravitational pull of the sun. However, the
earth is much farther away from the sun than it is from the moon. In fact, the center of the Earth is at an average distance of 1.5 x 10^11 m
from the center of the sun. Given that the mass of the sun is 1.99 x 10^30 kg,

Find the acceleration of the Earth due to the sun's gravitational pull

Can someone help me with this problem

acceleration a = F/m
F = Gmm/r^2

Thank you
 
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Plug&chug your numbers into your formula! :smile:
 
is this right?
F= ((6.67x10^-11)(1.99 x 10 ^30)(5.97 x 10^24kg))/(1.5 x
10^11 m)^2
= 3.52 x 10 ^28

a = F/m = 3.52 x 10^28 N / 1.99 x 10^30 kg = .0177 m/s^2

can someone please check my method

thank
 
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