Find the magnitude of the Sun's gravitational force on the Earth when the Earth is at perihelion and at aphelion. The perihelion and aphelion distances are 1.48 ✕ 1011 m and 1.52 ✕ 1011 m, respectively.

Explanation:

Force F = GMm / R²

mass of the sun M = 1.99 x 10³⁰ kg

mass of the earth = 5.97 x 10²⁴ kg

value of G = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹

for perihelion point R = 1.48 x 10¹¹ m

Force = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ x  1.99 x 10³⁰ x 5.97 x 10²⁴ / ( 1.48 x 10¹¹ )²

= 36.17 x 10²¹ N  

for aphelion point R = 1.52 x 10¹¹ m

Force = 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ x  1.99 x 10³⁰ x 5.97 x 10²⁴ / ( 1.52 x 10¹¹ )²

= 34.29  x 10²¹ N