Question

select the correct answer. a spacecraft left earth to collect soil samples from mars. which statement is true about the strength of earths gravity on the moving spacecraft? a. it decreases. b. it increases. c. it remains the same. d. it doesnt affect the spacecraft.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravity - distance relationship

The gravitational force \(F = G\frac{Mm}{r^{2}}\), where \(G\) is the gravitational constant, \(M\) is the mass of the Earth, \(m\) is the mass of the spacecraft, and \(r\) is the distance between the Earth and the spacecraft. As the spacecraft moves away from the Earth to Mars, the distance \(r\) increases.

Step2: Analyze the change of gravitational force

Since \(F\) is inversely - proportional to \(r^{2}\), when \(r\) increases, the gravitational force \(F\) (the strength of Earth's gravity on the spacecraft) decreases.

Answer:

A. It decreases.