Question

The data below were collected by scientists testing the force of gravity between two objects.

Distance
(m) Mass 1
(kg) Mass 2
(kg) Force
(N)
0.10 100 150 0.00010
0.10 150 150 0.00015
0.10 100 300 0.00020
0.10 200 200 0.00027
0.10 200 300 0.00040

What do the data in the table support?
A.
The force of gravity only depends on the distance between the objects interacting.
B.
The force of gravity between two objects is determined by the object with more mass.
C.
The force of gravity depends on the masses of the objects interacting.
D.
The force of gravity between two objects is determined by the object with less mass.

Answer 1

C. The force of gravity depends on the masses of the objects interacting.

All trials are at the same distance, yet the force increases when either mass is larger (e.g., 100×150 → 0.00010, 150×150 → 0.00015, 100×300 → 0.00020), showing dependence on the masses.