The gravitational force between two asteroids is 6.2 * 10^8 N. Asteroid Y has three times the mass of asteroid Z.

If the distance between the asteroids is 2100 kilometers, what is the mass of asteroid Y?

3.7 * 10^15 kg

1.1 * 10^16 kg

1.4 * 10^31 kg

4.1 * 10^31 kg

You can solve this by using The Universal Gravitation Equation:

F = Gm1m2/r^2

where G is gravitational constant 6.67x10^-11, m1 and m2 are the masses and r is the distance between the two masses.

It is also given that Y=3Z.

Also, don't forget to convert 2100 km into meters = 2.1 x10^6 meters

Substituting the values we have:

6.2x10^8 = (6.67x10^-11) (3Z) (Z) / (2.1x10^6) ²

Z = 3.697x10^15 kg

Y = 3Z = 1.11 x10^16 kg

The answer is B.