Jupiter and the Sun exert gravitational forces on each other. For this situation
A) the force exerted by the Sun on Jupiter is greater than the force exerted by Jupiter on the Sun.
B) the force exerted by Jupiter on the Sun is greater than the force exerted by the Sun on Jupiter.
C) the acceleration of Jupiter caused by the gravitational force of the Sun is larger than the acceleration of the Sun caused by the gravitational force of Jupiter.
D) the acceleration of the Sun caused by the gravitational force of Jupiter is larger than the acceleration of Jupiter caused by the gravitational force of the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Newton's third law of motion, the force exerted by the Sun on Jupiter is equal to the force exerted by Jupiter on the Sun. However, because the Sun's mass is much larger than Jupiter's, the acceleration of Jupiter due to the Sun's gravitational force is larger than the acceleration of the Sun due to Jupiter's gravitational force.

Jupiter and the Sun Exert Gravitational Forces on Each Other