Problem 9-56 Vector Gravitational Field - Part 4 - B
A spaceprobe is at the position shown in the figure. Use components to determine the gravitational acceleration (magnitude and direction) of the probe due to the effects of the earth and moon. The masses of the earth and moon are \(6.0 \times10^{24}\; kg\) and \(7.4 \times 10^{22} \; kg\), respectively.
Accumulated Solution
Correct. But now you have two expressions for the gravitational; force. Set them equal-
\(F = mg = GMm/r^2 \\ g = GM/r^2\)
In general \(g\) is the "Gravitational Field". For the special cas on the surface of the earth we call it the "acceleration due to gravity".