Answer to Question #220593 in Physics for ran li

Question

The lab question https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-force-lab

6. Drag either mass so they are farther apart. Does the gravitational force increase, decrease, or remain the same?

7. In any of your observations so far, have the two gravitational forces (on m1 from m2 and on m2 from m1) ever been different from each other? Why?

Answer 1

6. Decreases.

7. No, they are the same. This is true because of the third Newton's law (see https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/forces-newtons-laws/newtons-laws-of-motion/a/what-is-newtons-third-law):

If an object A exerts a force on object B, then object B must exert a force of equal magnitude and opposite direction back on object A.