The gravitational constant G was first measured accurately by Henry Cavendish in 1798. He used an exquisitely sensitive balance to measure the force between two lead spheres whose centers were 0.19 m apart. One of the spheres had a mass of 188 kg, while the mass of the other sphere was 0.93 kg. What was the ratio of the gravitational force between these spheres to the weight of the lighter sphere?

Question

Mckenzie Wilkerson

Physics

3 May, 13:16

The gravitational constant G was first measured accurately by Henry Cavendish in 1798. He used an exquisitely sensitive balance to measure the force between two lead spheres whose centers were 0.19 m apart. One of the spheres had a mass of 188 kg, while the mass of the other sphere was 0.93 kg. What was the ratio of the gravitational force between these spheres to the weight of the lighter sphere?

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Answers (1)

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Emmett Small · Answer 1

3.5*10^-8:1

Explanation:

F (gravitation) = G*M1M2/r^2

G = gravitational constant = 6.67*10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2

M1 = mass of the heavier sphere,

M2 = mass of the lighter sphere

r = their distance apart

Fg = 6.67*10^-11*188*0.93 / (0.19) ^2

Fg = 3.23*10^-7N

The ratio of the force of gravitation between them to the weight of the lighter sphere = 3.23*10^-7: (0.93*9.81) = 3.5*10^-8. : 1 by dividing both side by (0.93*9.81)