There is a point between the Moon and the Earth where the gravitational attractions are equal and opposite. How much further is this point from the Earth than the Moon

Using the formula for gravitational attraction between the Moon/Earth and a test mass, m. We determine FE = (G*ME m)/(rE2 ), FM = (GMM*m )/ (rM2). Setting these two forces equal to each other and rearranging gives us the formula: rM2 = (MM/ME ) * rE2. Taking the square root of both sides, and noting the distances, r, should always be positive we get distance from the Earth is sqrt(MM/ME). 

PD

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does light from distant stars show how fast they are moving away from us.


What is EMF? How do we test for it?


Explain why the pressure exerted by a gas increases as they are heated at constant volume, with references to the kinetic theory of gases.


Can you talk me through how to solve problems on projectiles? I always get confused