In: Physics
Calculate the gravity
Mass of Andromeda galaxy | 1.5 × 10^42 kg |
Mass of Milky Way galaxy | 8.0 × 10^1 % of Andromeda's mass |
Distance between the galaxies | 2.9 *10^6 light years |
1) Even though it is not quite right for this situation, use
Newton's Law of Gravitation to calculate the force of gravity (in
Newtons) between the Milky Way galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy
today.
2) In the future, will the force of gravity between the two galaxies increase, decrease or stay the same? Why?
Force F of gravity between Milky Way galaxy and Andromeda galaxy is given as
Where G = 6.673 10-11 N m2 kg-2 is gravitation constant
M1 = mass of Andromeda = 1.5 1042 kg
M2 = mass of Milky way = 0.8 1.5 1042 kg
d = distance between galaxies = 2.9 106light-year = 2.9 106 9.461 1015 m = 2.744 1022 m
F = [ 6.673 10-11 ( 1.5 1042 )2 0.8 ] / ( 2.744 2.744 1044 )
F = 1.595 1029 N
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From the force calculated above and from the mass of galaxies , we get aceleration of galaxies towards each other is the order of 10-13 m/s2 .
If we assume the theory that universe is expanding at the rate of 72 km/s , then distance between galaxies are increasing.
Hence force of gravity between galaxies will decrease.