If the Earth exerts a force of 2100 N on an orbiting communication satellite that is 38 miles above the Earth, what is the magnitude of the force the satellite will exert on the Earth?
Answer (2)
The magnitude of the gravitational force between two masses is always the same in both directions.
The Earth's weight on you is the same as your weight on the Earth.
The satellite exerts a gravitational force of 2100 N on the Earth, equal in magnitude to the force the Earth exerts on the satellite, due to Newton's Third Law of Motion. This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Both forces are therefore 2100 N directed towards each other.
;
