A 50 kg person and a 75 kg person are sitting on a bench so that their centers are about 50 cm apart. Estimate the magnitude of the gravitational force each exerts on the other.

Answer 1

Gravitational force F_g = G m₁ m₂ / r² = (6.673 x 10^-11) (50 kg) (75 kg) / (0.50 m)² = 1.0 x 10^-6 N.