Multiple Choice
In Newton's law of universal gravitation, which two factors determine the magnitude of the gravitational force between two point masses?
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8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation
Newton's Law of Gravity
Multiple Choice
According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, which two factors determine the magnitude of the gravitational force between two objects?
A
The volumes of the two objects and the medium (air vs. vacuum) between them
B
The distance between the objects and the acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface
C
The masses of the two objects and the distance between their centers
D
The masses of the two objects and their electric charges
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force \(F\) between two objects is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
Express the law mathematically as: \(F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}\), where \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) are the masses of the two objects, \(r\) is the distance between their centers, and \(G\) is the gravitational constant.
Understand that the volume of the objects or the medium between them (such as air or vacuum) does not directly affect the gravitational force according to this law.
Recognize that acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface is a specific case of gravitational force near Earth, but the universal law applies to any two masses anywhere, depending only on their masses and separation distance.
Conclude that the two key factors determining the magnitude of the gravitational force between two objects are their masses and the distance between their centers.
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