Question
Compare the gravitational forces exerted by the sun and the moon on the earth. Which exerts a greater force and by how many times?
Solution
Mass of the earth, M = 6 x 1024 kg
Mass of the sun, Ms = 2 x 1030 kg
Mass of the moon, Mm = 7.3 x 1022 kg
Distance of Earth from the sun, rs = 1.5 x 1011 m
Distance of Earth from the moon, rm = 3.84 x 108 m
Gravitational force exerted by the sun on the earth,
Thus the sun exerts force, about 180 times the force exerted by the moon on the earth.
