Question

Case A and Case B are identical except that in Case A, a planet is located in between the astronaut and the moon. In which case is the gravitational attractive force between the astronaut and the moon larger?

Options:
a. Case A
b. Case B
c. The gravitational force is the same in both cases
d. It cannot be determined

Answer 1

The gravitational force between the astronaut and the moon remains the same regardless of the presence of a planet between them (Case A) or not (Case B), so the correct answer is that the force is unchanged in both cases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gravitational attractive force between two objects is dependent on their masses and the distance between them, according to Newton's law of universal gravitation. In the given scenario, regardless of whether a planet is present between the astronaut and the moon (Case A) or not (Case B), the gravitational force between the astronaut and the moon remains unchanged.

The presence of a third body does not alter the gravitational force exerted between the other two unless it adds significant mass or changes the distance between them, which is not indicated to be the case here. Thus, the correct answer is that the gravitational force is the same in both cases, and neither the plan's presence nor any other factor modifies it.