Question

The table shows the relationship between the masses of two objects, the distance between the two objects, and the gravitational force between the objects.

Which conclusion is supported by the data in the table?

An increase in the mass of an object causes the same decrease in the gravitational force.
An increase in the distance between the objects causes the same decrease in the gravitational force.
An increase in the distance between the objects causes a greater change in the gravitational force than the same increase in mass.
An increase in the mass causes a greater change in the gravitational force than the same increase in the distance between the objects.

Answer 1

Answer : The correct conclusion is (c).

Explanation :

The formula for the gravitational force is :

`F=G(m_1m_2)/(r^2)`

G is universal constant

m₁ and m₂ are the masses

r is the distance between them

So, it is clear that the gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

So, the correct conclusion is (c) " An increase in the distance between the objects causes a greater change in the gravitational force than the same increase in mass ".

Answer 2

The correct answer is

An increase in the distance between the objects causes a greater change in the gravitational force than the same increase in mass.

The explanation:

since gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the separation distance between the two interacting objects, more separation distance will result in weaker gravitational forces. So as two objects are separated from each other, the force of gravitational attraction between them also decreases.