1.
Exoplanet Problem (Outside the Solar System)
Problem:
Astronomers discover an exoplanet, Xerion, orbiting its star. The star has a mass of 3.0 ×1030 kg . At a
certain point in its orbit, the exoplanet is 4.0 × 1011 m away from the star. If the gravitational force
between them is measured to be 1.5 ×1022 N , find the mass of the exoplanet.
Solution:
Using Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation:
Gm1 m2
F= 2
r
Where:
N\cdotpm /kg m1=3.0 ×10 kg (star)
22 −11 2 2 30
F=1.5 ×10 NG=6.67× 10
11
r =4.0 ×10 m
Solve for mass of exoplanet m 2:
2
Fr 22
m 2= m =(1.5× 10 )¿ ¿
G m1 2
Compute numerator:
22 23 45
1.5 ×10 ×1.6 ×10 =2.4 ×10
Compute denominator:
−11 30 20
(6.67 × 10 )(3.0 ×10 )=2.001 ×10
Now:
45
2.4 ×10 25
m 2= 20
≈ 1.2× 10 kg
2.001× 10
Answer:
The exoplanet has a mass of 1.2 ×1025 kg .
3. Asteroid Problem
Problem:
A small spacecraft of mass 1.5 ×103 kg passes near an asteroid with mass 4.0 × 1012 kg. If the distance
between their centers is 9.0 ×10 3 m, compute the gravitational attraction between the spacecraft and
the asteroid.
Solution:
Given:
3 12
m1=1.5 ×10 kgm2=4.0× 10 kgr =9.0 ×103 mG=6.67× 10−11
Gm 1 m2 (6.67 × 10
−11 3
)(1.5 ×10 )(4.0 × 10 )
12
F= 2 F=
r ¿¿
Compute numerator:
−11 15 5
6.67 ×10 ×6.0 ×10 =4.002 ×10
Denominator:
5
4.002 ×10 −3
¿ F= 7
=4.94 ×10 N
8.1× 10
Answer:
The gravitational force is 4.94 ×10−3 N .
Problem 1: Gravitational Force Between Two Books
Two thick physics books, one with a mass of 3.5 kg and the other with a mass of 5.0 kg, are placed 0.40
meters apart on a table.
Calculate the gravitational force between the two books.
Solution:
Given:
m1=3.5 kgm2=5.0 kg r =0.40 m G=6.67× 10−11
Gm1 m2 (6.67 × 10
−11
)(3.5)(5.0)
F= 2 F=
r ¿¿
Numerator:
−11 −9
6.67 ×10 ×17.5=1.16725× 10
Denominator:
−9
2 1.16725× 10 −9
0.40 =0.16 F= =7.30 ×10 N
0.16
Answer:
The gravitational force between the two books is
−9
7.30 ×10 N
Problem 2: Attraction Between Two Bowling Balls
Two bowling balls of masses 10 kg and 7 kg are set on the floor 0.75 meters apart.
Compute the gravitational attraction between them.
Solution:
Given:
m1=10 kgm2=7 kgr =0.75 m G=6.67× 10−11
Gm 1 m2 −11
(6.67 × 10 )(10)(7)
F= 2 F=
r ¿¿
Numerator:
−11 −9
6.67 ×10 ×70=4.669 ×10
Denominator:
−9
2 4.669 ×10 −9
0.75 =0.5625 F= =8.30 ×10 N
0.5625
Answer:
The gravitational force between the two bowling balls is
−9
8.30 ×10 N
Would you like harder problems, multiple choice versions, or a worksheet format?
You said:
two more
ChatGPT said:
Here are two more moderate problems on the Universal Law of Gravitation involving two objects on
Earth, with full solutions.
Problem 3: Force Between Two Dumbbells
Two dumbbells at a gym have masses of 12 kg and 8 kg. They are placed on the floor 0.55 meters apart.
Calculate the gravitational force between them.
Solution:
Given:
m1=12 kgm2=8 kgr =0.55 m G=6.67× 10−11
Gm1 m2 −11
(6.67 × 10 )(12)(8)
F= 2 F=
r ¿¿
Numerator:
−11 −9
6.67 ×10 ×96=6.4032 ×10
Denominator:
−9
2 6.4032× 10 −8
0.55 =0.3025 F= =2.12 ×10 N
0.3025
Answer:
−8
2.12 ×10 N
Problem 4: Gravitational Attraction Between Two Water Containers
Two large water containers have masses of 15 kg and 9 kg. They are positioned 0.68 meters apart.
Determine the gravitational force between them.
Solution:
Given:
m1=15 kgm2=9 kgr =0.68 m G=6.67× 10−11
Gm 1 m2 −11
(6.67 × 10 )(15)(9)
F= 2 F=
r ¿¿
Numerator:
−11 −9
6.67 ×10 ×135=9.0045 ×10
Denominator:
−9
2 9.0045 ×10 −8
0.68 =0.4624 F= =1.95 × 10 N
0.4624
Answer:
−8
1.95 ×10 N
If you want two more, multiple choice format, or word problems, just let me know!
You said:
create 2 moderate problems on Gravitational potential energy. one problem focus on real life problem
on earth. second problem is in the outer space
ChatGPT said:
You're giving feedback on a new version of ChatGPT.
Which response do you prefer? Responses may take a moment to load.
ChatGPT
Response 1
Below are two moderate problems on Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)—one set on Earth, and one
in outer space. Full, clear solutions are included.
Problem 1 (On Earth – Real-Life Scenario)
A construction worker lifts a 25-kg toolbox to the top of a 6.5-meter scaffold.
Calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the toolbox relative to the ground.
Use:
2
g=9.8 m/s
Solution:
Gravitational potential energy on Earth is given by
U =mgh
Substitute:
m=25 kg g=9.8 m/s 2h=6.5 m
U =(25)(9.8)(6.5)U =25× 63.7=1592.5 J
Answer:
3
1.59 ×10 J
Problem 2 (Outer Space – Using Universal Gravitation Formula)
A small spacecraft of mass 1,200 kg is located at a distance of
7
4.0 × 10 m from Earth’s center.
Compute its gravitational potential energy relative to Earth.
Use the universal GPE formula:
GMm
U =−
r
Where:
M =5.97 × 10 kg(mass of Earth)
−11 24
G=6.67× 10
m=1,200 kgr =4.0 ×107 m
Solution:
−11 24
(6.67 × 10 )(5.97 ×10 )(1200)
U =−
4.0 ×10 7
First multiply the masses and G :
−11 24 14
(6.67 × 10 )(5.97 ×10 )=3.98 × 10
Now multiply by 1200:
14 17
3.98 ×10 ×1200=4.78 × 10
Now divide:
17
4.78 ×10 10
U =− 7
=−1.20 ×10 J
4.0 × 10
Answer:
10
−1.20 ×10 J
(The negative sign indicates that the spacecraft is gravitationally bound to Earth.)
Problem 4 (Revised): Comparing Orbital Periods of Exoplanets (Kepler’s Third Law)
The exoplanet Kepler-11 b orbits its star at a semi-major axis of 0.091 AU and has an orbital period of
approximately 10.30 days. Another exoplanet in the same system, Kepler-11 g, orbits at 0.466 AU.
Estimate the orbital period of Kepler-11 g.
Solution:
By Kepler’s Third Law (assuming same central star):
2 3
Tg ag
2
= 3
Tb ab
Given:
T b=10.30 days
a b=0.091AU
a g=0.466AU
Compute:
T g=T b × √ ¿ ¿ ¿¿ 10.30 ×
√ 0.1011
0.0007536
=10.30 × √ 134.2 ≈10.30 × 11.58≈ 119.3days
Answer:
The orbital period of Kepler-11 g is approximately 119 days, which is very close to the observed value of
~118.4 days.