Question

brainpop science / investigation / observe and check | page 5 of 7
3
imagine you move m1 to the other side of m2 without changing the distance between them (shown in the diagram). what would change about the arrows representing the force of gravity?
a the magnitude and direction of the arrows would change
b only the magnitude of the arrows would change
c only the direction of the arrows would change
d the arrows would not change

Explanation:

Gravitational force magnitude depends on masses ($m_1, m_2$) and distance ($r$) via $F=G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$. Here, $m_1, m_2, r$ stay the same, so magnitude doesn't change. Gravitational force is always attractive; when $m_1$ moves to the other side of $m_2$, the direction of the force arrow on each mass reverses to point toward the other mass.

Answer:

C. Only the direction of the arrows would change