To determine between which two objects gravitational attraction is the greatest when placed 1 meter apart, we can use the formula for gravitational force:
\[ F = \frac{G \cdot m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2} \]
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 masses.
Since the distance \( r \) is constant (1 meter), the gravitational force will be proportional to the product of the masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \). Therefore, we need to compare the products of the masses for the pairs of objects given.
Here are the masses of the objects:
- Paper clip: 1.0 grams
- Penny: 2.5 grams
- Book: 860 grams
- Cereal box: 500 grams
- Small pot: 1200 grams
Now we calculate the products for each pair:
-
Penny and Small Pot: \[ 2.5 \times 1200 = 3000 \]
-
Paper Clip and Penny: \[ 1.0 \times 2.5 = 2.5 \]
-
Book and Cereal Box: \[ 860 \times 500 = 430000 \]
-
Small Pot and Book: \[ 1200 \times 860 = 1032000 \]
Now, comparing all the products, we find:
- Penny and Small Pot: 3000
- Paper Clip and Penny: 2.5
- Book and Cereal Box: 430000
- Small Pot and Book: 1032000
The greatest product is between the Small Pot and the Book with a product of 1,032,000 grams². Thus, the gravitational attraction is greatest between the small pot and the book when placed 1 meter apart.