Question

Activity

After watching the YouTube Video Fill up the below table with the calculated value F(N). Then use the data table to plot a graph and prove that the slope of the graph represents the gravitational constant G. (you can use excel to plot the graph)

Mass m1(kg)	Mass m2 (kg)	Distance, r (m)	F(N)
10	60	0.02	1x10^-4
20	50	0.04	4.16x10^-5
30	40	0.06	2.22x10^-5
40	30	0.08	1.25x10^-5
50	20	0.10	6.67x10^-6
60	10	0.12	2.78x10^-6

******I understand how to find the force but I'm not sure what should be on my x and y coordinates to make the slope equal to the Gravitational constant. Thank You for any help*******

Answer 1

Okay, Let's look at the equation for gravitational force

F = Gm1m2 / r²

we can write is as

F = G ( m1m2 / r² )

if we write a straight line equation

y = mx + c

then m = slope = G

y - axis = F

x - axis = m1m2 / r²

__________________________

Here is the graph and we can see the slope is 6.67e-11 which is exactly the same value of G.