- #1
_mae
- 12
- 0
Homework Statement
A student proposes to measure the gravitational constant G by suspending two spherical objects from the ceiling of a tall cathedral and measuring the deflection of the cables from the vertical. If two 155.0 kg objects are suspended at the lower ends of cables 40.00 m long and the cables are attached to the ceiling 1.000 m apart, what is the deflection of each object? (Use 1.000 m for the distance in the gravitational force and assume that the deflection is extremely small.)
Homework Equations
I think this equation should be used: Fg = (G)([m1*m2]/r^2)
G would be the universal gravitational constant: [tex]G\ =\ 6.673(10)\ \times\ 10^{-11}\ m^{3} kg^{-1} s^{-2}[/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
I'm confused at what exactly the problem is looking for, though I know the answer is looking for a distance in meters. I don't know which variable to solve for in the equation.
I do know that m1 and m2 are each 155 kg, and when multiplied together equal 24,025 kg. In my textbook, it says that r is the distance separating the two masses. So if each cable is 40 m long, the total distance between them (which would be r) would equal 80 m. r^2 would then be 6400. From here, I don't know what to look for.
If my answer should be in meters, and I already know G, r^2, and both masses, then that leaves me with solving for Fg, which is in Newtons.
My homework is on WebAssign, and I've noticed that the numbers I put in bold (red in my actual homework) are the only numbers used to solve the problem, so I'm assuming I don't need 1.000 m to solve it.
Please help!