Why do we measure the distance of objects from their centers and not their surfaces?

Why do we measure the distance of objects from their centers and not their surfaces?

The gravitational field of a spherical mass is the same as the gravitational field of a point mass at the centre of the sphere. This result is known as the shell theorem, and it is why we measure distances to the centres of spherical objects like planets or stars.

Does the distance between the Earth and the Sun affect the gravitational force between the earth and the Sun?

Since distance is more important in determining gravitational force, the force between the Sun and a person on the surface of the Earth is much smaller than gravitational force the Earth exerts on that person.

What is more important in determining the gravitational force between two objects the mass or the distance between their centers?

When dealing with the force of gravity between two objects, there are only two things that are important – mass, and distance. The force of gravity depends directly upon the masses of the two objects, and inversely on the square of the distance between them.

Is gravity stronger when Earth is closer to the Sun?

On the exactly opposite side the Sun’s gravity is slightly weaker than at the centre of the Earth, thus the Earth is pulled under you faster than you are pulled, and you measure in effect a weak upward net force.

Why do you measure from the center of mass?

The interesting thing about the center of mass of an object or system is that it is the point where any uniform force on the object acts. This is useful because it makes it easy to solve mechanics problems where we have to describe the motion of oddly-shaped objects and complicated systems.

What would happen if the distance between Earth and Sun increases?

Doubling the distance from the sun reduces gravitational pull and increases the orbital period.

How did changing the distance between the Sun and Earth affect Earth’s orbit Why?

First I should say that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is elliptical, not perfectly circular, so the Earth-Sun distance is changing as we speak just from the Earth traveling in its orbit around the Sun. This slows down the rotation of the Sun, and pushes the Earth farther away from the Sun.

How far does the gravitational pull of the sun reach?

The Sun’s gravitational influence extends to far distances, as evidenced by the Oort cloud out at orbital distances up to 50,000 astronomical units. But at the distance called the Hill sphere, the gravitational force of nearby stars takes over. That’s at around 100,000 astronomical units.

What is the gravity on the surface of the sun?

274 m/s²
Sun/Gravity