The mass of Earth can be determined by using:
Correct answer: D. Universal law of gravitation
- A. Kepler's law
- B. The Cavendish experiment
- C. Newton's second law of motion
- D. Universal law of gravitation
Explanation
The universal law of gravitation, proposed by Sir Isaac Newton, states that every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. Mathematically, it is expressed as F=Gm1m2/r2 , where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the interacting objects, and r is the distance between their centers. Using this law, along with other known constants and measurements, the mass of the Earth can be calculated. In conclusion, the primary method for determining the mass of the Earth is through experiments like the Cavendish experiment, which utilizes the principles of Newton's universal law of gravitation.
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About Gravitation
Newton’s law of universal gravitation relates the force between masses to their masses and separation, while gravitational field strength explains weight and orbital motion. The topic covers satellite velocity and period, escape ideas, weightlessness in free fall, and artificial gravity, which differs from ordinary gravitational attraction.
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