What would be the gravitational force that a planet twice as massive as Earth and having twice Earth's radius exerts on a 59.1-kg astronaut?
A)580 N
B)290 N
C)1160 N
D)118 N
E)1200 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gravitational force is calculated using the formula F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2. If the planet is twice as massive as Earth and has twice the radius, the force is (2 * M * m) / (2 * R)^2 = (2 * M * m) / (4 * R^2) = (1/2) * (M * m) / R^2. This means the force is half of what it would be on Earth. On Earth, the force is 580 N, so on this planet, it would be 290 N.

What Would Be the Gravitational Force That a Planet Twice