Question

How does the gravitational force between two objects change if the distance between the objects doubles?

a)
The force decreases by a factor of 4.
b)
The force decreases by a factor of 2.
c)
The force increases by a factor of 4.
d)
The force increases by a factor of 2.

Answer 1

if the distance between the objects is doubled the force is reduced by a factor of 4

Whats is gravitational force?

Gravitational force is the force of attraction between objects in the universe.

f = G * m1 * m2 / r^2

f = gravitational force

G = gravitational constant

m1 = mass of object 1

m2 = mass of object 2

r = distance between the objects

From the formular, the gravitational force and the distance is an inverse relationship so increasing the distance by a factor results to reduction of the force by the square of the factor. hence doubling the distance which is distance mutiplied by 2 will lead to reduction of the force by 2^2 = 4

Therefore: The force decreases by a factor of 4.

hope it helps