Question

Two objects of equal mass, m, are separated by a distance d. Answer the following questions: a) If the distance was doubled, what would happen to the force of attraction? Doubled Quadrupled No Change Cut by 1/4th Cut by 1/2 b) If the mass of the first object was doubled, what would happen to the force of attraction? Cut by 1/4th Cut by 1/2 Doubled No Change Quadrupled c) If the mass of both objects was doubled, what would happen to the force of attraction? Cut by 1/4th Cut by 1/2 Quadrupled Doubled No Change d) If the distance was cut in half, what would happen to the force of attraction?

Answer 1

Two objects of equal mass, m, are separated by a distance d. Answer the following questions:

a) If the distance was doubled, what would happen to the force of attraction? Doubled Quadrupled No Change Cut by 1/4th Cut by 1/2

b) If the mass of the first object was doubled, what would happen to the force of attraction? Cut by 1/4th Cut by 1/2 Doubled No Change Quadrupled

c) If the mass of both objects was doubled, what would happen to the force of attraction? Cut by 1/4th Cut by 1/2 Quadrupled Doubled No Change

d) If the distance was cut in half, what would happen to the force of attraction?

Solution:

According to Newton's Law of universal gravitation:

$$F = G \frac{mM}{R^2}$$

a) If the distance $(R)$ was doubled, the force would be Cut by 1/4th.

b) If the mass of the first object $(m)$ was doubled, the force would be Doubled.

c) If the mass of both objects $(m$ and $M)$ was doubled, the force would be Quadrupled.

d) If the distance $(R)$ was cut in half, the force would be Quadrupled.