Question

3.1.4 quiz: noncontact forces
question 1 of 10
which two changes would decrease the gravitational force between two objects?
a. increase the mass of one of the objects.
b. decrease the distance between the objects.
c. decrease the mass of one of the objects.
d. increase the distance between the objects.
e. increase the mass of both objects.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational - force formula

The gravitational force formula is $F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$, where $F$ is the gravitational force, $G$ is the gravitational constant, $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the masses of the two objects, and $r$ is the distance between them.

Step2: Analyze the effect of mass

From the formula, $F$ is directly proportional to the product of the masses $m_1m_2$. So, decreasing the mass of one of the objects will decrease $F$.

Step3: Analyze the effect of distance

$F$ is inversely proportional to the square of the distance $r^2$. So, increasing the distance between the objects will decrease $F$.

Answer:

C. Decrease the mass of one of the objects.
D. Increase the distance between the objects.