Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Two people of and stand apart. Find the gravitational force between them, and compare it with the weight of the person. (.)
Newton's law of gravitation: , with and between the centres. The pulls on the two bodies are equal and opposite; for several bodies they add as vectors.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. .
Step 2. Weight: , so the ratio is .
Answer: , less than a billionth of the weight.
Check. Gravity between people is far too weak to feel; it took Cavendish's delicate balance to measure it at all.
Watch out. Gravity is the weakest of the everyday forces; we notice it only because the Earth is so massive.
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…