When the Earth's and Moon's centers are 59 Earth radii apart, what is the ratio of the lunar gravitational force on a 2-kg mass at the point on the Earth nearest to the Moon to the lunar gravitational force on a 2-kg mass at the point on the Earth farthest from the Moon? A) 118/59 B) (58/60)² C) (60/58)² D) The value is not given.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lunar gravitational force on a mass is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the mass and the Moon's center. The distance between the point on the Earth nearest to the Moon and the Moon's center is 59 Earth radii, while the distance between the point on the Earth farthest from the Moon and the Moon's center is 61 Earth radii. Therefore, the ratio of the lunar gravitational force on a 2-kg mass at the point on the Earth nearest to the Moon to the lunar gravitational force on a 2-kg mass at the point on the Earth farthest from the Moon is (60/58)².

When the Earth's and Moon's Centers Are 59 Earth Radii