Multiple Choice
According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the magnitude of the gravitational force between two point masses depends on which two factors?
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8. Centripetal Forces & Gravitation
Newton's Law of Gravity
Multiple Choice
In Newton's law of universal gravitation, the magnitude of the gravitational force between two point masses is given by . Which two factors (in addition to the constant ) determine the force of gravity between the objects?
A
The distance between the objects and the acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface
B
The volumes of the two objects and the distance between their surfaces
C
The masses of the two objects and their electric charges
D
The masses of the two objects and the distance between their centers
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force \(F\) between two point masses is given by the formula:
\[F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}\]
where \(G\) is the gravitational constant, \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) are the masses of the two objects, and \(r\) is the distance between their centers.
Identify the variables in the formula that affect the gravitational force: the masses \(m_1\) and \(m_2\), and the distance \(r\) between the centers of the two masses.
Understand that the gravitational force depends directly on the product of the two masses, meaning if either mass increases, the force increases proportionally.
Recognize that the force depends inversely on the square of the distance between the centers of the masses, so as the distance increases, the force decreases rapidly.
Conclude that the two factors determining the gravitational force (besides the constant \(G\)) are the masses of the two objects and the distance between their centers.
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