Question

Two objects of equal mass are located some distance apart. Which of the following changes to this scenario result in the greatest decrease in gravitational force? select two answers.

A. the mass of each object doubles, and the distance between them doubles.
B. the mass of each is cut in half, and the distance between them doubles
C. the mass of each object triples, and the distance between them increase by a factor of twelve
D. The mass of one object doubles, the mass of the second object is cut in half, and the distance between them triples
E. The mass of both objects is quadrupled, and the distance between them increases by a factor of thirteen

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

B. the mass of each is cut in half, and the distance between them doubles

D. The mass of one object doubles, the mass of the second object is cut in half, and the distance between them triples

The gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Therefore, decreasing the mass of each object will decrease the gravitational force, and increasing the distance between them will also decrease the gravitational force. Option B cuts the mass of each object in half, reducing the force by a factor of 2, and doubles the distance between them, reducing the force by a factor of 4. This results in the greatest decrease in gravitational force.

Option D changes the masses and distance in different ways, but it still results in a significant decrease in gravitational force. Doubling the mass of one object and cutting the mass of the other in half results in a net increase in the force, but tripling the distance between them reduces the force by a factor of 9.