The sun’s mass is about 2.7 x 107 times greater than the moon’s mass. The sun is about 400 times farther from Earth than the moon. How does the gravitational force exerted on Earth by the sun compare with the gravitational force exerted on Earth?

Question

The sun’s mass is about 2.7 x 107 times greater than the moon’s mass.  The sun is about 400 times farther from Earth than the moon.  How does the gravitational force exerted on Earth by the sun compare with the gravitational force exerted on Earth?

ookawaiioo · Answer

F1 = G(M1*M2/r^2) 
F2 = G(M1*M3/r^2) 

M1 = earth
M2 = sun
M3 = moon

F1/F2 = the ratio of the two

ookawaiioo · Answer

G will cancel out

anonymous · Answer

Im sorry im still a bit confused.  I am not sure how to proceed @oOkawaiiOo

ookawaiioo · Answer

G(M1*M2/r^2) /G(M1*M3/r^2) 

G and r^2 will cancel out. Solve from there