Calculate the gravitational force between these spheres

In summary, a typical Cavendish balance in introductory physics labs uses lead spheres of masses 1.8 kg and 13.9 g, separated by 5.77 cm, to measure the gravitational constant G. To calculate the gravitational force between these spheres, treat each as a point mass at the center and use G = 6.67259 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2.
  • #1
the_d
127
0
In introductory physics laboratories, a typical
Cavendish balance for measuring the gravita-
tional constant G uses lead spheres of masses
1.8 kg and 13.9 g whose centers are separated
by 5.77 cm.
Calculate the gravitational force between
these spheres, treating each as a point mass
located at the center of the sphere. Use G =
6.67259 x 10^11 N m^2/kg^2.
 
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  • #2
the_d said:
In introductory physics laboratories, a typical
Cavendish balance for measuring the gravita-
tional constant G uses lead spheres of masses
1.8 kg and 13.9 g whose centers are separated
by 5.77 cm.
Calculate the gravitational force between
these spheres, treating each as a point mass
located at the center of the sphere. Use G =
6.67259 x 10^11 N m^2/kg^2.
Do you know how to determine the gravitational force between two bodies using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation?

AM
 
  • #3
Your G is wrong, the power of 10 should be -11.
 

FAQ: Calculate the gravitational force between these spheres

What is the formula for calculating gravitational force between two spheres?

The formula for calculating gravitational force between two spheres is F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2, where G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the two spheres, and r is the distance between their centers of mass.

How do I determine the value of G for my calculations?

The value of the gravitational constant, G, is a universal constant and is equal to 6.67 x 10^-11 N*m^2/kg^2. It is a fundamental constant in physics and can be found in many reference materials.

Do I need to convert the masses into a specific unit for the calculation?

Yes, the masses should be in kilograms (kg) for the calculation. If the masses are given in other units, such as grams or pounds, they will need to be converted to kg before plugging them into the formula.

Can the distance between the spheres affect the gravitational force?

Yes, the distance between the spheres has a significant impact on the gravitational force between them. As the distance increases, the force decreases exponentially according to the inverse square law (F = 1/r^2). This means that even a small change in distance can greatly affect the gravitational force.

Is there a specific direction for the gravitational force between the spheres?

Yes, the gravitational force between two spheres always acts in the direction of the line connecting their centers of mass. This means that the force will be attractive if the spheres have positive masses and repulsive if one or both of them have negative masses.

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