Question

How would the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon change if the distance between the two objects doubled, but all other factors stayed the same?
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1 point
The gravitational force between Earth and the Moon would decrease by a proportional amount.
The gravitational force between Earth and the Moon would increase by a proportional amount.
The gravitational force between Earth and the Moon would completely disappear.
The gravitational force between Earth and the Moon would remain constant.

Answer 1

The gravitational force would decrease. Because gravity follows an inverse-square law (F ∝ 1/r^2), doubling the distance reduces the force to (1/2)^2 = 1/4 of its original value — so it decreases by a factor of four.