Question

If Neptune's mass were reduced, what could be done to maintain the same force of gravitational attraction between Neptune and the Sun?

a) Increase the Sun's mass
b) Increase the distance between Neptune and the Sun
c) Reduce the Sun's mass
d) Increase Neptune's distance from the Sun

Answer 1

To maintain the same force of gravitational attraction between Neptune and the Sun, the distance between Neptune and the Sun needs to be increased.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Neptune's mass were reduced, the same force of gravitational attraction between Neptune and the Sun could be maintained by increasing the distance between Neptune and the Sun (option b). According to Newton's universal law of gravitation, the force of gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between two objects. So, if Neptune's mass is reduced, the distance between Neptune and the Sun needs to be increased to compensate and maintain the same force of gravitational attraction.