The supermassive black hole at the center or our galaxy (Sagittarius A*) has a mass equal to 4.3 million Suns (the mass of the Sun is 1.99 × 1030 kg). The distance from Sgr A* to Earth is 7,940 parsecs, where one parsec is equal to 3.09 × 1016 m. (a)  What is the gravitational force that Sgr A* exerts on a 75 kg person on Earth, in units of Newtons? Hint: use Newton’s law of universal gravitation. (b)  Suppose the same person is sitting 1.0 meter away from a paperclip with a mass of 1.0 grams. What is the gravitational force that the paperclip exerts on the person? (c)  Compare the forces from parts (a) and (b). Which is greater?

Astronomy
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ISBN:9781938168284
Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
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Chapter25: The Milky Way Galaxy
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Problem 25E: The best evidence for a black hole at the center of the Galaxy also comes from the application of...
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The supermassive black hole at the center or our galaxy (Sagittarius A*) has a mass equal to 4.3 million Suns (the mass of the Sun is 1.99 × 1030 kg). The distance from Sgr A* to Earth is 7,940 parsecs, where one parsec is equal to 3.09 × 1016 m.

  1. (a)  What is the gravitational force that Sgr A* exerts on a 75 kg person on Earth, in units of Newtons? Hint: use Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

  2. (b)  Suppose the same person is sitting 1.0 meter away from a paperclip with a mass of 1.0 grams. What is the gravitational force that the paperclip exerts on the person?

  3. (c)  Compare the forces from parts (a) and (b). Which is greater?

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