The existence of the dwarf planet Pluto was proposed based on irregularities in Neptune's orbit. Pluto was subsequently discovered near its predicted position. But it now appears that the discovery was fortuitous, because Pluto is small and the irregularities in Neptune's orbit were not well known. To illustrate that Pluto has a minor effect on the orbit of Neptune compared with the closest planet to Neptune: (a) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at Neptune due to Pluto when they are 4.50×1012 m apart, as they are at present. The mass of Pluto is 1.4×1022 kg . (b) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at Neptune due to Uranus, presently about 2.50×1012 m apart, and compare it with that due to Pluto. The mass of Uranus is 8.62×1025 kg .
Gravitational force
In nature, every object is attracted by every other object. This phenomenon is called gravity. The force associated with gravity is called gravitational force. The gravitational force is the weakest force that exists in nature. The gravitational force is always attractive.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
In fundamental physics, gravity or gravitational force is the universal attractive force acting between all the matters that exist or exhibit. It is the weakest known force. Therefore no internal changes in an object occurs due to this force. On the other hand, it has control over the trajectories of bodies in the solar system and in the universe due to its vast scope and universal action. The free fall of objects on Earth and the motions of celestial bodies, according to Newton, are both determined by the same force. It was Newton who put forward that the moon is held by a strong attractive force exerted by the Earth which makes it revolve in a straight line. He was sure that this force is similar to the downward force which Earth exerts on all the objects on it.
The existence of the dwarf planet Pluto was proposed
based on irregularities in Neptune's orbit. Pluto was
subsequently discovered near its predicted position. But it
now appears that the discovery was fortuitous, because Pluto
is small and the irregularities in Neptune's orbit were not well
known. To illustrate that Pluto has a minor effect on the orbit
of Neptune compared with the closest planet to Neptune:
(a) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at Neptune due
to Pluto when they are 4.50×1012 m apart, as they are at
present. The mass of Pluto is 1.4×1022 kg .
(b) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at Neptune due
to Uranus, presently about 2.50×1012 m apart, and
compare it with that due to Pluto. The mass of Uranus is
8.62×1025 kg .
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