Table of contents

0. Math Review31m
- Math Review
  31m
1. Intro to Physics Units1h 29m
2. 1D Motion / Kinematics3h 56m
3. Vectors2h 43m
4. 2D Kinematics1h 42m
5. Projectile Motion3h 6m
6. Intro to Forces (Dynamics)3h 22m
7. Friction, Inclines, Systems2h 44m
8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation7h 26m
9. Work & Energy1h 59m
10. Conservation of Energy2h 54m
11. Momentum & Impulse3h 40m
12. Rotational Kinematics2h 59m
13. Rotational Inertia & Energy7h 4m
14. Torque & Rotational Dynamics2h 5m
15. Rotational Equilibrium3h 39m
16. Angular Momentum3h 6m
17. Periodic Motion2h 9m
18. Waves & Sound3h 40m
19. Fluid Mechanics4h 27m
20. Heat and Temperature3h 7m
21. Kinetic Theory of Ideal Gases1h 50m
22. The First Law of Thermodynamics1h 26m
23. The Second Law of Thermodynamics3h 11m
24. Electric Force & Field; Gauss' Law3h 42m
25. Electric Potential1h 51m
26. Capacitors & Dielectrics2h 2m
27. Resistors & DC Circuits3h 8m
28. Magnetic Fields and Forces2h 23m
29. Sources of Magnetic Field2h 30m
30. Induction and Inductance3h 38m
31. Alternating Current2h 37m
32. Electromagnetic Waves2h 14m
33. Geometric Optics2h 57m
34. Wave Optics1h 15m
35. Special Relativity2h 10m

8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation

Newton's Law of Gravity

Physics

8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation

Newton's Law of Gravity

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Multiple Choice

According to Newton's Law of Gravity, which of the following factors primarily determines the gravitational force between two objects?

The distance between the objects

The speed of the objects

The product of the masses and the inverse square of the distance between them

The masses of the objects

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Verified step by step guidance

Start by recalling Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which states that the gravitational force \( F \) between two masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) is given by the formula: \( F = \frac{G \, m_1 \, m_2}{r^2} \), where \( G \) is the gravitational constant and \( r \) is the distance between the centers of the two masses.

Identify the factors in the formula: the masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \), and the distance \( r \) between them. The gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the two masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Understand that the gravitational force increases with an increase in either of the masses, as they are in the numerator of the equation. This means that larger masses will exert a stronger gravitational force on each other.

Recognize that the gravitational force decreases with an increase in the distance \( r \) between the objects, as \( r^2 \) is in the denominator. This means that as the distance between the objects increases, the gravitational force decreases rapidly.

Conclude that the primary factors determining the gravitational force are the product of the masses and the inverse square of the distance between them, as per the formula \( F = \frac{G \, m_1 \, m_2}{r^2} \). The speed of the objects does not directly affect the gravitational force according to this law.