gravitational question doubt???????? (1 Viewer)

[bubblesss]

ok
if there are 2 masses say one is 3kg and the other is 5kg. is the gravitational force exerted by 3kg mass on the 5kg mass the same as the gravitational force exerted by the 5kg mass on the 3kg mass??? when they are 2m apart???

 

[lolokay]

yes - for every force there is an equal and opposite force (same magnitude, opposite direction)
F_G = Gm₁m₂/r

 

[Js^-1]

Yep, like the above post said. The confusion arrises when you apply this force. Since F = ma the force will be the same, but because the masses are different, they will accelerate differently. The 3kg object will accelerate more than the 5kg object and so it people often think the 3kg object has a greater force acting on it.

 

[Continuum]

yes - for every force there is an equal and opposite force (same magnitude, opposite direction)
F_G = Gm₁m₂/r

To the OP, you can remember that the same force is applied on each object by looking at that equation and realising that the two masses are multiplied together - meaning that it doesn't matter whether you use one mass or the other as the reference point.