Subject Code PHY 1 Physics 1

Module Code 9.0 Gravitation

Lesson Code 9.1.2 Universal Law of Gravitation, Part 2
Time Frame 30 minutes

Components Tasks TA1 ATA2

(min) (min)
Ignite Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that the magnitude
of gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional 16
to the product of the masses of the objects and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between the objects. This
is mathematically represented as

m1 m2
Fg = G r2 equation 1
where:

F g is the magnitude of the gravitational attraction between two

objects,
m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects,
r is the separation distance between the objects, and

G is the gravitational constant which is equal to 6.67 x 10-11 N

m2/kg2.

Newton’s theory is only about the relation between gravitational

force or gravity, mass, and distance. Newton did not know the
exact value of G . It was Henry Cavendish who determined the
value of G using the torsion balance that was devised by John
Michell. Michell intended to perform the experiment himself but
was not able to complete it because of his death in 1793. The
torsion balance, as shown in Figure 1, was then sent to Cavendish
who completed the experiment and determined the value of G .

1
Time allocation suggested by the teacher.
2
Actual time allocation spent by the student (for information purposes only).

Physics 1 Universal Law of Gravitation, Part 2 Page 1 of 5

 Figure 1: Torsion Balance Diagram

Note that the force given by equation 1 is the force exerted by

either object on the other. The two objects exert the same amount
of force but opposite in direction, comprising an action-reaction
pair in accordance with Newton's third law of motion. Moreover,
the forces are directed towards the object exerting the force. That
is, each object attracts the other one.

Figure 2: Two masses attracting each other with equal magnitudes of

gravitational forces Fg but opposite in direction.

For clearer visualization, let’s have some examples.

Example 1:
A cube and a sphere have equal masses of 4.0 kg, separated by 2.0
m distance as shown below. If the side of the cube is 1.0 m and the
diameter of the sphere is 1.2 m, what is the gravitational force
between the two?

Physics 1 Universal Law of Gravitation, Part 2 Page 2 of 5

 Solution:
distance between the objects: 2.0 m

distance to the center of cube: 1:0 m ÷2 = 0:5 m

distance to the center of cube: 1:2 m ÷2 = 0:6 m

r = 2.0 m + 0.5 m + 0.6 m = 3.1 m

Using equation 1, we have

(4:0 kg )(4:0 kg)

F g = G mr1 m
2
2
2
= 6:67x10À11 N kg
m
2
(3:1 m)2

F g = 1:1x10À10 N

The calculated gravitational force is very small. Here on Earth, a

person or an object exerts gravitational force to other objects such
as stone, wood, people, etc. but since the gravitational force that
one exerts to other objects is very small compared to that exerted
by the Earth, the force exerted can’t be felt.

Example 2:
A 63.0 kg man is standing on Earth’s surface. Given that the mass
of Earth is 5.98 x 1024 kg and its mean radius is 6.37 x 106 m, what
is the magnitude of the gravitational force that the man and the
Earth exert on one another?

Solution:
The size of the man is almost negligible compared to the size of
the Earth and since the man is standing on Earth’s surface, one can
approximate r to be equal to the Earth’s radius

r = 6.37 x 106 m

Substituting the values to equation 1, we have

Physics 1 Universal Law of Gravitation, Part 2 Page 3 of 5

 m1 m2 2 (63:0 kg )(5:98 × 1024 kg)
Fg = G r2 = 6:67x10À11 N kg
m
2
(6:37 x 106 m)
2

F g = 619 N

Navigate Write your answers with complete solutions on a clean sheet of

paper. Follow your teacher’s instructions regarding submission. 12
1. Compute for the weight of the man in example 2. How does
this compare with the gravitational force in the example?

2. Two ocean liners, each with a mass of 40,000 metric tons,

are moving on parallel courses 100 m apart. (a) What is the
gravitational force between the liners? (b) What is the
magnitude of the acceleration of one of the liners due to this
gravitational interaction? (Serway, 2014)

3. Consider three spheres assembled on the same line as

shown. (a) What is the magnitude and direction of the force
exerted by the 5.00-kg mass on the 0.100-kg mass? (b)
What is the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by
the 10.0-kg mass on the 0.100-kg mass? (c) What is the
magnitude and direction of the net force on the 0.100-kg
mass? (Young, 2008)

Knot Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that the magnitude

of gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional 2
to the product of the masses of the objects and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between the objects. This
is mathematically represented as

m1 m2
Fg = G r2

where:

F g is the magnitude of the gravitational attraction between two

objects,

m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects,

r is the distance between the objects, and

Physics 1 Universal Law of Gravitation, Part 2 Page 4 of 5

 G is the gravitational constant which is equal to 6.67 x 10-11 N
m2/kg2.

References:
1.Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A. (2012). University Physics with Modern Physics 13th ed.
United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.
2.Science in a minute. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk5E-CrE1zg
3.Torsion balance diagram. (2021). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cavendish_Torsion_Balance_Diagram.svg
4.Serway, Raymond A., & Jewett, John W. (2014). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern
Physics 9th ed. United States of America:: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
5.Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A. (2008). University Physics with Modern Physics 12th ed.
United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.

Prepared by: Marjun M. Tugade Reviewed by: Joana Paulene L. Simangan

Position: SST III Position: SST I

Campus: SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus Campus: Cordillera Administrative Region

Campus

Physics 1 Universal Law of Gravitation, Part 2 Page 5 of 5