[Physics] Does the larger object exert greater gravitational force on the smaller object

forcesnewtonian-gravitynewtonian-mechanics

For example, a grasshopper is perched on a blade of grass on the Earth. Logically, I would say the earth exerts greater gravitational force due to its mass but is this correct?

If not, which exerts the greater gravitational force, the grasshopper on the earth or the earth on the grasshopper?

Best Answer

Whenever gravity exerts a force on an object, it is because there is another object in the vicinity. Both masses are required to create the force. If the mass of one object is double, the force is doubled. This happens for either object.

The formula for the gravitational force between the Earth (E) and the grasshopper (g) is $$F_{gE} = \frac{Gm_gm_E}{r^2}$$ where $F_{gE}$ is the force on the grasshopper due to the Earth, $m_g$ is the mass of the grasshopper, $m_E$ is the mass of the Earth, $r$S is the distance between the grasshopper and the center of the Earth, and $G$ is a constant.

Now, lets find the force on the Earth due to the grasshopper. We just switch the roles of $E$ and $g$: $$F_{Eg} = \frac{Gm_Em_g}{r^2}.$$ Because, $m_gm_E = m_Em_g$, we see that the force is the same. The grasshopper pulls on the Earth just as hard as the Earth pulls on the grasshopper.

This is one example of Newton's third law in action. If A exerts a force on B, the B exerts a force of equal magnitude on A.

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