Question

What is true about the constant G?a.)It is a force. b.)it decreases with altitude.c.)It is a very small quantity

Answer 1

The universal gravitational constant, represented by G, is a small but universal constant value (6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N · m²/kg²) used to calculate the gravitational force between two masses and does not vary with altitude.

Step-by-step explanation:

The constant referred to in the question is known as the universal gravitational constant, symbolized by the letter G. It is not a force but rather a proportionality factor used in the equation that calculates the gravitational force between two masses. The equation is F = G(m1*m2)/r^2 where F is the gravitational force between two masses (m1 and m2), r is the distance between the centers of the two masses, and G is the gravitational constant. The value of G is approximately 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N · m²/kg², confirming that it is indeed a very small quantity.

Gravity is a weak force, and even though G is a small number, it is sufficient to cause significant attraction between massive objects such as planets and stars. Importantly, G is considered a universal constant, meaning that its value is the same throughout the universe, regardless of the altitude or location. Thus, G remains constant and does not decrease with altitude or vary based on the composition of the masses involved.

Answer 2

In Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational constant G is a proportionality constant that adjusts the units of the expression to match the units of force:

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

Its value has bean measured as:

`G=6.6743*10^(-11)N(m^2)/(kg^2)`

It is a constant, so it does not depend on altitude. It is not a force, but rather a constant involved in the calculation of the gravitational force. It's a "small" quantity in the sense that its order of magnitude corresponds to 10^-11.

Therefore, the correct choice is: option C) It is a very small quantity.