Which of the following statements about Newton's theory of universal gravitation are true? Select the three correct answers.

Question

(2 points)
Responses

The theory applies only to objects on Earth.
The theory applies only to objects on Earth.

Gravitational force increases as the distance between objects decreases.
Gravitational force increases as the distance between objects decreases.

Gravitational force increases as the distance between objects increases.
Gravitational force increases as the distance between objects increases.

The theory applies to all objects in the universe.
The theory applies to all objects in the universe.

Gravitational force increases as the mass of objects increases.
Gravitational force increases as the mass of objects increases.

Gravitational force increases as mass of objects decreases.

Answer 1

The three correct statements about Newton's theory of universal gravitation are:

1. Gravitational force increases as the distance between objects decreases. - This statement is true because the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centers of two masses (as described by the equation \( F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2} \)).

2. The theory applies to all objects in the universe. - This is true as Newton's law of universal gravitation applies universally to all objects with mass, not just those on Earth.

3. Gravitational force increases as the mass of objects increases. - This statement is also true because the gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the two objects.

The other statements are incorrect.