Gravitational attraction is determined by the masses of the objects and the distance between them, as described by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:
\[ F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2} \]
where \(F\) is the gravitational force, \(G\) is the gravitational constant, \(m_1\) and \(m_2\) are the masses of the two objects, and \(r\) is the distance between their centers.
To find which pair of objects has the greatest gravitational attraction when placed 1 meter apart, we should focus on the mass of the objects in each response.
- Paper clip (1.0g) and Penny (2.5g): \( F = G \frac{(1.0)(2.5)}{1^2} = G \cdot 2.5 \)
- Book (860g) and Cereal box (500g): \( F = G \frac{(860)(500)}{1^2} = G \cdot 430000 \)
- Small pot (1,200g) and Book (860g): \( F = G \frac{(1200)(860)}{1^2} = G \cdot 1032000 \)
- Penny (2.5g) and Small pot (1,200g): \( F = G \frac{(2.5)(1200)}{1^2} = G \cdot 3000 \)
From these calculations, we can see that the pairs of objects with the largest mass product yield the greatest gravitational attraction.
- The pair with the greatest gravitational attraction is between the small pot and the book (1,200g and 860g), as this has the largest product of masses.
Therefore, the correct response is between the small pot and the book.