Some believe that the positions of the planets at the time of birth influence th

Question

Some believe that the positions of the planets at the time of birth influence the newborn. Others deride this belief and claim that the gravitational force exerted on a baby by the obstetrician is greater than that exerted by the planets.
a) To check this claim, first calculate the gravitational force exerted on a 5.4 kg baby by a 57.6 kg doctor who is 0.8 m away.

b) Calculate the gravitational force exerted on the baby by the planet Jupiter (mass Jupiter = 1.9 * 10^27 kg) at its closest approach to the earth (=6.0 * 10^11 m).

c) Calculate the gravitational force exerted on the baby by Jupiter at its greatest distance from the earth (=9.0 * 10^11 m).

Explanation / Answer

gravitational force on baby by doctor = GMm/r^2 = 6.67*(10^-11)*57.6*5.4/0.64 = 3241.62*10^-11 N gravitational force on baby by jupiter when in nearest position = 6.67*(10^-11)*1.9*10^27*5.4/(36*10^22) = 1.90095*10^-6=190095*10^-11N this force is greater than force exerted by doctor gravitational force on baby by jupiter when in farthest position = 6.67*(10^-11)*1.9*10^27*5.4/(81*10^22) = 84486*10^-11N this is also greater than doctor's force

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