Question

Two small masses that are 10.0 cm apart attract each other with a force of 10.0 N. When they are 5.0 cm apart, these masses will attract each other with what force

Answer 1

`F_2=40N`

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the gravitational force is inverseley proportional to the square of the distance of separation of the masses. So, we have:

`F=(GmM)/(d^2)`

We have to calculate the force (
`F_2`) when they are 5.0 cm apart:

`F_1=(GmM)/(d_1^2)\\F_2=(GmM)/(d_2^2)\\(F_2)/(F_1)=((GmM)/(d_2^2))/((GmM)/(d_1^2))\\(F_2)/(F_1)=(d_1^2)/(d_2^2)\\F_2=F_1(d_1^2)/(d_2^2)\\F_2=10N((10cm)^2)/((5cm)^2)\\F_2=40N`