Gravitational attraction between two objects is determined by their masses and the distance between them, according to the formula for gravitational force:
\[ F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2} \]
where \( F \) is the gravitational force, \( G \) is the gravitational constant, \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) are the masses of the objects, and \( r \) is the distance between them.
To find the greatest gravitational attraction between the given objects when placed 1 meter apart, we can calculate the product of the masses for each pair of objects:
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Paper clip (1.0g) and Penny (2.5g) \[ 1.0 \times 2.5 = 2.5 \]
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Paper clip (1.0g) and Book (860g) \[ 1.0 \times 860 = 860 \]
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Paper clip (1.0g) and Cereal box (500g) \[ 1.0 \times 500 = 500 \]
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Paper clip (1.0g) and Small pot (1,200g) \[ 1.0 \times 1,200 = 1,200 \]
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Penny (2.5g) and Book (860g) \[ 2.5 \times 860 = 2,150 \]
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Penny (2.5g) and Cereal box (500g) \[ 2.5 \times 500 = 1,250 \]
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Penny (2.5g) and Small pot (1,200g) \[ 2.5 \times 1,200 = 3,000 \]
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Book (860g) and Cereal box (500g) \[ 860 \times 500 = 430,000 \]
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Book (860g) and Small pot (1,200g) \[ 860 \times 1,200 = 1,032,000 \]
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Cereal box (500g) and Small pot (1,200g) \[ 500 \times 1,200 = 600,000 \]
The highest product of masses results from the Book (860g) and Small pot (1,200g) pair, which gives: \[ 860 \times 1,200 = 1,032,000 \]
Therefore, the gravitational attraction is greatest between the Small pot and the Book.