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Four students each construct a claim about the gravitational attraction on a probe passing between Mercury and Venus when the planets are nearest in their orbits.

Student W claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet with the greater mass when halfway between the planets.

Student X claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet nearest the Sun when halfway between the planets.

Student Y claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet with the greater mass anywhere between the planets.

Student Z claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet nearest the Sun anywhere between the planets.


Which student made a claim that is best supported by evidence from the table and diagram?

User Jingwen
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Answer:

Without the table and diagram, it's difficult to provide a specific answer. However, in general, the gravitational attraction between two objects depends on their masses and the distance between them. The force of attraction is stronger when the masses are greater and when the objects are closer together.

Based on this understanding, we can evaluate the claims made by each student:

Student W claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet with the greater mass when halfway between the planets. This claim is partially supported by the evidence, since the gravitational force is stronger when the masses are greater. However, it doesn't take into account the distance between the planets and the probe.

Student X claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet nearest the Sun when halfway between the planets. This claim is not supported by the evidence, since the distance between the probe and each planet is not specified.

Student Y claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet with the greater mass anywhere between the planets. This claim is partially supported by the evidence, since the gravitational force is stronger when the masses are greater. However, it doesn't take into account the distance between the planets and the probe.

Student Z claims that the probe is pulled harder by the planet nearest the Sun anywhere between the planets. This claim is not supported by the evidence, since the distance between the probe and each planet is not specified.

Overall, Student W and Student Y made claims that are partially supported by the evidence, but neither claim takes into account the distance between the planets and the probe. Therefore, it's difficult to determine which claim is best supported by the evidence without more information.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Marekful
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