Newton’s law of universal gravitation

In summary, according to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the force of attraction between any two masses is directly proportional to the product of the two masses and inversely proportional to the distance between them. This means that if one of the masses is doubled, the force of attraction will also double, and if the distance between the masses is doubled, the force of attraction will decrease by a factor of four. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is B.
  • #1
Ahmad786
17
0
20. According to Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the force of attraction between any
two masses is related directly to the
A. velocity of the two masses
B. product of the two masses
C. distance between the masses
D. sum of the masses
( I wasnt sure for this question so I had to guess)
Is this the answer if it is what is the logic behind it
 
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  • #2
Note the word direct(ly proportional), as opposed to inverse(ly proportional).

What happens to the force if you increase (let's say: double) one of the masses? What happens if you increase (say: double) the distance?

Does it get larger or smaller?
 
  • #3
CompuChip said:
Note the word direct(ly proportional), as opposed to inverse(ly proportional).

What happens to the force if you increase (let's say: double) one of the masses? What happens if you increase (say: double) the distance?

Does it get larger or smaller?

So the answer would be B. is this correct?
 
  • #4
yes.
but try and understand why. Write the equation out and look at how all the variables relate to each other an like compuchip said what happens to the force if you double one of the masses etc.
 

1. What is Newton's law of universal gravitation?

Newton's law of universal gravitation is a physical law that explains the force of gravity between two objects. It states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. Who discovered Newton's law of universal gravitation?

Sir Isaac Newton discovered and first published his law of universal gravitation in his book "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" in 1687.

3. How does Newton's law of universal gravitation relate to the motion of planets?

Newton's law of universal gravitation explains the motion of planets around the sun. The force of gravity between the sun and each planet keeps them in orbit, as the gravitational force is constantly pulling them towards each other.

4. Is Newton's law of universal gravitation still relevant today?

Yes, Newton's law of universal gravitation is still relevant today and is used in various fields such as astrophysics, engineering, and space exploration. However, it was later replaced by Einstein's theory of general relativity, which provides a more accurate explanation of gravity in extreme conditions.

5. What are some real-life applications of Newton's law of universal gravitation?

Some real-life applications of Newton's law of universal gravitation include predicting the motion of objects in space, calculating the force needed for satellites to orbit the Earth, and understanding the tides and ocean currents caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.

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