"Determine the magnitude of the net force of gravity acting on the Moon during an eclipse when it is directly between Earth and the Sun."

Net force = 2.3686 × 10^(20) N

Explanation:

To solve this, we have to find the force of the earth acting on the moon and the force of the sun acting on the moon and find the difference.

Now, from standards;

Mass of earth;M_e = 5.98 × 10^(24) kg

Mass of moon;M_m = 7.36 × 10^(22) kg

Mass of sun;M_s = 1.99 × 10^(30) kg

Distance between the sun and earth;d_se = 1.5 × 10^(11) m

Distance between moon and earth;d_em = 3.84 × 10^(8) m

Distance between sun and moon;d_sm = (1.5 × 10^(11)) - (3.84 × 10^(8)) = 1496.96 × 10^(8) m

Gravitational constant;G = 6.67 × 10^(-11) Nm²/kg²

Now formula for gravitational force between the earth and the moon is;

F_em = (G × M_e × M_m)/(d_em)²

Plugging in relevant values, we have;

F_em = (6.67 × 10^(-11) × 5.98 × 10^(24) × 7.36 × 10^(22))/(3.84 × 10^(8))²

F_em = 1.9909 × 10^(20) N

Similarly, formula for gravitational force between the sun and moon is;

F_sm = (G × M_s × M_m)/(d_sm)²

Plugging in relevant values, we have;

F_se = (6.67 × 10^(-11) × 1.99 × 10^(30) ×

7.36 × 10^(22))/(1496.96 × 10^(8))²

F_se = 4.3595 × 10^(20) N

Thus, net force = F_se - F_em

Net force = (4.3595 × 10^(20) N) - (1.9909 × 10^(20) N) = 2.3686 × 10^(20) N

a and b sometimes have a positive value