Answer:
The acceleration is [tex]a = 2.190 *10^{-7} \ m/s^2[/tex]
Explanation:
From the question we are told that
The distance of separation of the ship is [tex]r= 109 \ m[/tex]
The mass of each ship is [tex]M = 39,000 \ metric\ tons =39,000 * 1000 = 3.9 *10^{7}\ kg[/tex]
The gravitational force of attraction exerted on each other is mathematically represented as
[tex]F_g = \frac{ GMM}{r^2}[/tex]
Where G is the gravitational constant with value
substituting values
[tex]F_g = \frac{ 6.674 30 * 10^{-11} (3.9 *10^{7})^2}{109^2}[/tex]
[tex]F_g = 8.54 \ N[/tex]
This force can also be mathematically represented as
[tex]F_g = M * a[/tex]
=> [tex]a = \frac{F_g}{M}[/tex]
substituting values
[tex]a = \frac{8.544}{3.9 *10^{7}}[/tex]
[tex]a = 2.190 *10^{-7} \ m/s^2[/tex]