The earth and the moon are attracted to each other by gravitational f...
- Gravitational attraction is caused by the mass of an object. Since Earth is far more massive than the Moon, the gravitational force exerted on the Moon is far greater than that of the Moon on the Earth.
- An example of the difference: while the Moon causes tides on the Earth, the Earth has the Moon locked so that the same face (minus some wobbling) is always visible from the Earth.
The earth and the moon are attracted to each other by gravitational f...
Gravitational Force between Earth and Moon
The gravitational force is the force of attraction between two objects due to their masses. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
Equal and Opposite Forces
When considering the gravitational force between the Earth and the Moon, it is important to remember that the force exerted by the Earth on the Moon is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force exerted by the Moon on the Earth. This principle is known as Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Explanation of the Correct Answer: Option B
The correct answer to the question is option B, which states that the force exerted by the Earth on the Moon is the same as the force exerted by the Moon on the Earth. This is due to Newton's third law of motion.
Equal Magnitude
The magnitude of the gravitational force between two objects depends on their masses and the distance between them. The mass of the Earth is significantly larger than the mass of the Moon. However, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is also relatively large. Therefore, the magnitudes of the forces exerted by the Earth and the Moon are equal.
Opposite Direction
The direction of the gravitational force between the Earth and the Moon is always towards each other. The Earth attracts the Moon towards itself, while the Moon attracts the Earth towards itself. The forces are opposite in direction but equal in magnitude.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Earth and the Moon are attracted to each other by gravitational force. The force exerted by the Earth on the Moon is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force exerted by the Moon on the Earth. This is due to Newton's third law of motion. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option B, which states that the force exerted by the Earth on the Moon is the same as the force exerted by the Moon on the Earth.