The 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 two objects,
- \( r \) is the distance between the centers of the two objects.
To identify which pair of objects has the greatest gravitational attraction when placed 1 meter apart, we need to consider their masses:
- Penny: 2.5 grams
- Small pot: 1,200 grams
- Paper clip: 1.0 gram
- Book: 860 grams
- Cereal box: 500 grams
Now, let's calculate the products of the masses for each pair of objects:
-
Penny and Small Pot: \[ 2.5 \times 1,200 = 3,000 \]
-
Paper Clip and Penny: \[ 1.0 \times 2.5 = 2.5 \]
-
Book and Cereal Box: \[ 860 \times 500 = 430,000 \]
-
Small Pot and Book: \[ 1,200 \times 860 = 1,032,000 \]
Now, comparing the products:
- Penny and Small Pot: 3,000
- Paper Clip and Penny: 2.5
- Book and Cereal Box: 430,000
- Small Pot and Book: 1,032,000
The greatest gravitational attraction occurs between the small pot and the book. Therefore, the correct response is:
between the small pot and the book.