Final answer:
In scenario D, where the mass of object 1 is 15 kg, the mass of object 2 is 12 kg, and the distance between them is 0.5 m, the two objects will have the greatest gravitational force between them.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gravitational force between two objects depends on their masses and the distance between them. According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance. Based on this, we can calculate the gravitational forces in each scenario:
- Scenario A: Force = (15 kg * 12 kg) / (1.5 m)^2 = 120 N
- Scenario B: Force = (12 kg * 12 kg) / (0.5 m)^2 = 576 N
- Scenario C: Force = (12 kg * 12 kg) / (1.5 m)^2 = 64 N
- Scenario D: Force = (15 kg * 12 kg) / (0.5 m)^2 = 864 N
Therefore, scenario D, where the mass of object 1 is 15 kg, the mass of object 2 is 12 kg, and the distance between them is 0.5 m, will have the greatest gravitational force between the two objects.