This figure shows the force on a 0.1-kilogram mass at various distances from Earth. Notice that the force decreases as the square of the distance. Now, consider satellites A and B, both circling Earth. If A has ten times the mass of B but B is 1/10 of the distance to the center of Earth as is A, what is the gravitational force on A relative to that of B due to Earth?

Question

A) 1/100 times as much
B) 1/10 the amount
C) the two are equal
D) 10 times as much
E) 100 times as much

Answer 1

If A has 10 times the mass, Fa/Fb = 10
If A is 10 times as far, Fa/Fb = 1/100

Now combine the two.