Question

question 8 of 24. why does an object such as a cannonball appear to fall toward earth, rather than earth falling toward the cannonball? a. the force of gravity acting on earth is greater than the force of gravity acting on the cannonball. b. the force of gravity acting on the cannonball is greater than the force of gravity acting on earth. c. earth has a much greater mass than the cannonball, so the same amount of force acting on earth results in much less acceleration. d. earth has a large radius, so the distance from the center of the earth to the cannonball is greater than the distance from the cannonball to earth.

Explanation:

Gravitational force between Earth and the cannonball is mutual and equal (Newton's third law). Acceleration depends on mass ($a = \frac{F}{m}$). Earth's mass is vastly larger, so its acceleration is negligible, making the cannonball appear to fall toward Earth.

Answer:

C. Earth has a much greater mass than the cannonball, so the same amount of force acting on Earth results in much less acceleration.