F = G * (m1 * m2) / r²
where:
* F is the force of attraction
* G is the gravitational constant (6.674 x 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²)
* m1 is the mass of the Sun (1.989 × 10³⁰ kg)
* m2 is the mass of Mercury (3.30 × 10²³ kg)
* r is the average distance between the Sun and Mercury (5.79 × 10¹⁰ m)
Plugging in the values:
F = (6.674 x 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²) * (1.989 × 10³⁰ kg * 3.30 × 10²³ kg) / (5.79 × 10¹⁰ m)²
F ≈ 1.29 × 10²² N
Therefore, the force of attraction between the Sun and Mercury is approximately 1.29 × 10²² Newtons.
