Question

question 20. the diagram below shows the gravitational attraction between two objects, such as planets and their moons. the strength of the force of gravity between them is shown as f, 1/4f, and 4f. the mass of the objects, labeled m, does not change. the objects are separated by different amounts. effect of distance on fgrav attract with a force of m f m d attract with a force of m 1/4f 2d m attract with a force of m 4f 1/2d m which statement best explains the effect that distance has on gravitational attraction according to the law of universal gravitation? a. when the gravitational force is reduced by 1/2, the objects are twice as far apart. b. when the distance between two objects doubles, the gravitational attraction between them doubles. c. the law states that the gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to the distance between them. d. the law states that the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the distance between them.

Explanation:

The Law of Universal Gravitation formula is $F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{d^2}$, where $F$ is gravitational - force, $m_1$ and $m_2$ are masses, $d$ is distance, and $G$ is gravitational constant. As shown in the diagram, when distance $d$ changes, force $F$ changes according to the inverse - square relationship. For example, when distance doubles, force becomes $\frac{1}{4}$ of the original, and when distance is halved, force becomes 4 times the original.

Answer:

C. The law states that the gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.