The Moon (Mass 7

Multiple Choice

The Moon (mass 7.35 × 10²² kg) orbits the Earth (mass 5.98 × 10²⁴ kg) at a distance of 3.85 × 10⁸ meters. Meanwhile, the Earth orbits the Sun (mass 1.99 × 10³⁰ kg) at a distance of 1.50 × 10¹¹ meters. When the Moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun, what is the gravitational force on the Moon due to the Earth and the Sun combined? (G = 6.67 × 10^-11 N m²/kg²)

A) 4.36 × 10²⁰ N toward the Sun
B) 4.36 × 10²⁰ N toward the Earth
C) 2.36 × 10²⁰ N toward the Sun
D) 2.38 × 10²⁰ N toward the Earth
E) 1.98 × 10²⁰ N toward the Earth