Q: What is the value of the universal gravitational constant $$G$$?

$$6.67 \times 10$$^{-11}$$ \ \mathrm{Nm^2$/kg^2$$}$

Question 1

According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, what happens to the gravitational force between two objects if the distance between them is tripled?

Accepted Answer

The force becomes one-ninth as strong.

Question 2

Which equation correctly expresses Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation?

Accepted Answer

$$F = G \frac{m_1$ m_2$}{d^2$}$$

Question 3

If the mass of each of two planets is doubled, what happens to the gravitational force between them, assuming the distance remains constant?

Accepted Answer

The force quadruples.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes Einstein's view of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Gravity is a warping of space-time caused by mass.

Question 5

A 70 kg student stands on Earth's surface. What is their weight in newtons? (Use $$g = 9.8 \ \mathrm{m/s^2$})$$

Accepted Answer

$$686 \ \mathrm{N}$$

Question 6

Which of the following statements about ocean tides is correct?

Accepted Answer

Tides are caused by the Moon's gravity pulling on Earth's oceans.

Question 7

What is the value of the universal gravitational constant $$G$$?

Accepted Answer

$$6.67 	imes 10$$^{-11}$$ \ \mathrm{Nm^2$/kg^2$$}$

Question 8

Which scenario would result in the greatest increase in gravitational force between two objects?

Accepted Answer

Halving the distance between them.

Question 9

Why does the Moon not fall directly to Earth, according to Newton's understanding of gravity?

Accepted Answer

The Moon is pulled toward Earth but also moves forward, creating an orbit.

Question 10

Which of the following is a prediction of Einstein's theory of general relativity that has been experimentally confirmed?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational waves rippling through the universe.

Question 11

A black hole forms when a massive star shrinks so much that the gravitational force at its surface becomes extremely large. What is the main reason for this increase in force?

Accepted Answer

The distance from the center to the surface decreases.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why astronauts in orbit experience 'weightlessness'?

Accepted Answer

They are in free fall, moving along Earth's gravitational field.

Question 13

If the distance between two objects is reduced to one-half, by what factor does the gravitational force between them change?

Accepted Answer

It becomes four times as strong.

Question 14

Which concept did Newton struggle to explain about gravity?

Accepted Answer

The mechanism by which gravity acts at a distance.

Question 15

A marble rolls on a waterbed and gravitates toward a dent made by a heavy ball. This analogy is used to describe which concept in physics?

Accepted Answer

Einstein's idea of warped space-time.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the inverse-square law of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational force remains constant regardless of distance.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes a gravitational field?

Accepted Answer

An alteration of space around a mass that affects other masses.

Question 18

A satellite orbits Earth at a height where the distance from Earth's center is twice Earth's radius. If $$g at $$Earth's surface is $$9.8 \ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$, what is $$g at $$the satellite's location?

Accepted Answer

$$2.45 \ \mathrm{m/s^2$}$$

Question 19

Which of the following is true about black holes?

Accepted Answer

Their gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape.

Question 20

Which of the following is a real-world application of the universal law of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Predicting the motion of planets in the solar system.

Chapter 9: Gravity – Universal Law, Fields, and Relativity

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