Home > Physics > Newton's Law of Gravitation

Two objects have masses of #9 MG# and #5 MG#. How much does the gravitational potential energy between the objects change if the distance between them changes from #500 m# to #20 m#?

Answer 1

#7.488xx10^-6N#

The equation for gravitational potential energy (G.P.E) between two bodies is

#U = G(m_1m_2)/r^2#

where #U# is G.P.E, #m# is the mass, and #r# is the distance. #G# is known as the gravitational constant and is approximately #6.67xx10^-11#.

Putting in values that we know, the initial G.P.E is

#U = 6.67xx10^-11 xx (9xx10^3xx5xx10^3)/500^2 = 1.2xx10^-8N#

and the final G.P.E is

#U = 6.67xx10^-11 xx (9xx10^3xx5xx10^3)/20^2 = 7.5xx10^-6N#

so the total change in G.P.E is

#7.5xx10^-6 - 1.2xx10^-8 = 7.488xx10^-6N#

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Axel Acevedo

The change in gravitational potential energy between the objects is approximately 1.4 x 10^16 joules.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.