Consider the following statements: The gravitational force exerted ...
The gravitational force F between two bodies is directly proportional to the product of masses of those bodies. Here, since the product m1 and m2 is greater for the sun and the moon than that of the earth and the moon (because mass of the sun is greater than that of earth), therefore F exerted by the sun on the moon is greater than the F exerted by the earth on the moon.
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Consider the following statements: The gravitational force exerted ...
Understanding the Statements
Let's analyze the two statements provided.
Statement 1: Gravitational Force Exerted by the Sun on the Moon
- The gravitational force between two objects is determined by their masses and the distance between them, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation.
- The mass of the Sun is approximately 333,000 times that of the Earth, and even though the Earth is closer to the Moon, the immense gravitational pull of the Sun cannot be ignored.
- Calculations show that the gravitational force exerted by the Sun on the Moon is indeed greater than that exerted by the Earth on the Moon. Therefore, this statement is correct.
Statement 2: Heavy Body Falls Faster than Light Body in Vacuum
- According to Galileo’s principle of falling bodies and Newton’s law of universal gravitation, in a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their mass, provided there is no air resistance.
- Both heavy and light bodies will accelerate at the same rate under gravity in a vacuum. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
Conclusion
- Given the analysis, only Statement 1 is correct.
- Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A'.
In summary:
- Statement 1 is correct.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
This distinction clarifies the understanding of gravitational forces and motion in a vacuum.
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