Consider the following statements: 1. The gravitational force exerted by the sun on the moon is greater than the gravitational force exerted

Question

Consider the following statements:

1. The gravitational force exerted by the sun on the moon is greater than the gravitational force exerted by the earth on the moon.

2. A heavy body falls at a faster rate than a light body in vacuum.

Which of the following statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

The correct option is: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

The gravitational force F between two bodies is directly proportional to the product of masses of those bodies. Here, since the product m1m2 is greater for the sun and the moon than that of the earth and the moon (because mass of the sun is greater than that of earth), therefore F exerted by the sun on the moon is greater than the F exerted by the earth on the moon.