Question

the model below represents some information about io and jupiter. orbits of io and jupiter a student claims that the sun exerts a gravitational force on jupiter, but not on io. indicate if you support or refute this claim using a checkmark (√). justify your choice using evidence form the orbits of io and jupiter model and your scientific knowledge. support refute justification:

Explanation:

Gravitational force acts between any two objects with mass. The Sun has a large mass, and both Jupiter and Io have mass. The model shows Io orbiting Jupiter, but Jupiter is orbiting the Sun. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation (\(F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}\), where \(F\) is the gravitational force, \(G\) is the gravitational constant, \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) are the masses of the two objects, and \(r\) is the distance between their centers), the Sun will exert a gravitational force on both Jupiter (which is evident as Jupiter is in orbit around the Sun) and Io (since Io has mass and is at a non - infinite distance from the Sun).

Answer:

• Refute
• Justification: Gravitational force acts between any two objects with mass. The Sun has mass, and both Jupiter and Io have mass. Using Newton's law of universal gravitation (\(F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}\)), since \(m_1\) (Sun's mass), \(m_2\) (Io's mass) are non - zero and \(r\) (distance between Sun and Io) is finite, the Sun exerts a gravitational force on Io. Also, Jupiter is in orbit around the Sun (showing Sun - Jupiter gravitational interaction), and Io, being a part of the solar system (not infinitely far from the Sun), also experiences the Sun's gravitational pull.