Force due to gravity. While JWST is in orbit, the Earth will be at a distance of 1.494 x 109 m from the telescope, and the Sun will be 1.49598 x 1011 m further away, in the same direction. The mass of the Sun is 1.9884 x 1030 kg, the mass of the Earth is 5.945 x 1024 kg, and the mass of JWST will be about 6500 kg. a. What is the gravitational force JWST will feel from the Sun (strength and direction)

the gravitational force JWST will feel from the Sun is 37.785 Newton { leftward }

Explanation:

Given that;

distance of earth from the telescope r1 = 1.494 × 10⁹ m

and the Sun will be 1.49598 × 10¹¹ m further away

so r2 = r1 + 1.49598 × 10¹¹

r2 = 1.494 × 10⁹ m + 1.49598 × 10¹¹ m = 1.51092 × 10¹¹ m

mass of sun Ms = 1.9884 × 10³⁰ kg

mass of earth Me = 5.945× 10²⁴ kg

mass of JWST Mj = 6500 kg

What is the gravitational force JWST will feel from the Sun (strength and direction)?

the gravitational force of the sun will be attractive based on Newton law of gravitational force; so

Fjs = GMjMs / r2²

constant G = 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg²

Force on the JWST by the sun will be;

Fjs = GMjMs / r2² { leftward}

we substitute

Fjs = [(6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg²)(6500 kg )(1.9884 × 10³⁰ kg)] / (1.51092 × 10¹¹ m)²

=  (8.62587804 × 10²³) / ( 2.28287925 × 10²² )

= 37.785 Newton { leftward }

Therefore, the gravitational force JWST will feel from the Sun is 37.785 Newton { leftward }