Question

The graph represents the gravitational attraction between two equal masses vs. their distance apart, which statement BEST describes the information presented by the graph?

A)Distance is only a factor in space, not on earth.


B)Gravitational attraction is directly proportional to distance. C)Gravitational attraction is inversely proportional to distance. D)Gravitational attraction is not related to the distance between objects.

Answer 1

If distance goes up, the force of gravity goes down. That is another way of saying, inversely proportional.

Answer 2

Answer: C) Gravitational attraction is inversely proportional to distance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gravitational force of attraction exists between any two bodies having mass.

It depends on the mass of two bodies and distance between them.

`F = G (M_1 M_2)/(d^2)`

where
`M_1` and
`M_2` are masses and d is the distance between them.

The graph is based in the above relation. As we can understand, gravitational force is directly proportional to the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.