To increase the gravitational pull between two objects, such as the planets Hox and Blox, we can refer to Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force (F) between two masses (m1 and m2) is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between their centers. The formula is:
\[ F = G \frac{m_1 \times m_2}{r^2} \]
From this formula, we can determine which actions would increase the gravitational pull between the two planets:
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Decreasing the distance between Hox and Blox: This would increase the gravitational pull, as the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
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Increasing the mass of Hox: This would increase the gravitational pull as it involves increasing one of the masses.
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Increasing the distance between Hox and Blox: This would decrease the gravitational pull, so it does not apply.
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Decreasing the mass of Blox: This would decrease the gravitational pull, so it does not apply.
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Increasing the mass of Hox and Blox: This would increase the gravitational pull, as it involves increasing both masses.
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Decreasing the mass of Hox and Blox: This would decrease the gravitational pull, so it does not apply.
Based on the above analysis, the proposals the scientist could make to increase the gravitational pull between the two planets are:
- Decreasing the distance between Hox and Blox
- Increasing the mass of Hox
- Increasing the mass of Hox and Blox