Students used a computer simulation to determine the variables that affect the gravitational force between two objects.
They collected the data shown in the table.
Mass of
Object 1
(kilograms)
25
25
100
100
Mass of obiect 2
(kilograms)
25
25
100
1
Distance
Between
Objects 1
and 2
(meters)
4
8
g
8
Gravitational
Force of Object 1
on Object 2 (newtons)
Gravitational
Force of Object 2
on Object 1 (newtons)
2.6 × 10-9
6.5 x 10-10
10x 10-8
1.0 x 10-10
2.6 × 10-9
6.5 × 10-10
1.0 × 10-8
1.0 × 10-10
Part A
Choose the claim statement that best agrees with the data.
(A) Distance is the only variable that affects the gravitational force between two objects.
Both mass and distance are variables that affect the gravitational force between two objects.
(c Mass does not affect the gravitational force between two objects.
(D) Mass is the only variable that affects the gravitational force between two objects.
15 answers
(A) The gravitational force between the ends remains the same.
B The gravitational force between the ends increases.
(c The gravitational force between them doubles.
(D The gravitational force between the ends decreases.
(E) The gravitational force between them decreases by one half.
greatest? Explain how you know this
Example 1: M1 = 100 M2= 200 distance: 20 KM
Example 2: M1= 100 M2 = 200 distance: 10 KM
Example 3: M1 = 50 M2 = 100 distance: 20 KM
Example 4: M1 = 50 M2 = 100 distance: 10 KM
F = (G * M1 * M2) / r^2
where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, M1 and M2 are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between the objects.
Comparing the four examples:
Example 1: F1 = (G * 100 * 200) / (20)^2
Example 2: F2 = (G * 100 * 200) / (10)^2
Example 3: F3 = (G * 50 * 100) / (20)^2
Example 4: F4 = (G * 50 * 100) / (10)^2
Since the gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance, we can compare the values of F based on the mass and distance.
Comparing Examples 1 and 2:
F1 / F2 = [(G * 100 * 200) / (20)^2] / [(G * 100 * 200) / (10)^2]
F1 / F2 = [(10)^2] / [(20)^2]
F1 / F2 = 1/4
Comparing Examples 3 and 4:
F3 / F4 = [(G * 50 * 100) / (20)^2] / [(G * 50 * 100) / (10)^2]
F3 / F4 = [(10)^2] / [(20)^2]
F3 / F4 = 1/4
From the calculations, we can see that Example 1 and Example 2 have the same value for F, and Example 3 and Example 4 have the same value for F. Therefore, either Example 1 or Example 2 has the greatest gravitational force of attraction between the two objects, and likewise, either Example 3 or Example 4 has the greatest gravitational force of attraction between the two objects. Without more specific information, we cannot determine which of the two would have the greatest gravitational force.
Example 1: M1 = 100, M2 = 200, distance = 20 km
Example 2: M1 = 100, M2 = 200, distance = 10 km
Example 3: M1 = 50, M2 = 100, distance = 20 km
Example 4: M1 = 50, M2 = 100, distance = 10 km
To find the gravitational force, we can use the formula:
F = (G * M1 * M2) / r^2
Since the gravitational constant, G, is the same for all examples, we can focus on the product of the masses and the square of the distance.
Examining the products of the masses:
Example 1: M1 * M2 = 100 * 200 = 20,000
Example 2: M1 * M2 = 100 * 200 = 20,000
Example 3: M1 * M2 = 50 * 100 = 5,000
Example 4: M1 * M2 = 50 * 100 = 5,000
Comparing the distances:
Example 1: distance = 20 km
Example 2: distance = 10 km
Example 3: distance = 20 km
Example 4: distance = 10 km
Since the distances are the same in Example 1 and Example 3, the gravitational force will be determined by the product of the masses.
Therefore, the example with the greatest gravitational force is Example 1, where M1 = 100, M2 = 200, and the distance is 20 km.
Example 1: M1 = 100, M2 = 200, distance = 20 km
Example 2: M1 = 100, M2 = 200, distance = 10 km
Example 3: M1 = 50, M2 = 100, distance = 20 km
Example 4: M1 = 50, M2 = 100, distance = 10 km
Using the formula for gravitational force:
F = (G * M1 * M2) / r^2
We will compare the product of masses (M1 * M2) for each example.
Example 1: M1 * M2 = 100 * 200 = 20,000
Example 2: M1 * M2 = 100 * 200 = 20,000
Example 3: M1 * M2 = 50 * 100 = 5,000
Example 4: M1 * M2 = 50 * 100 = 5,000
Comparing the distances in Example 3 and Example 4, both distances are the same as well.
Since the product of masses is the same in Example 3 and Example 4, but the distance is the same, the gravitational force will be determined by the product of the masses.
Therefore, Example 3, with M1 = 50, M2 = 100, and the distance = 20 km, indeed has the greatest gravitational force.