If we consider the gravitational force F between two objects of masses m1 and m2 respectively, separated by a distance R, and we double the distance between them, what is the new magnitude of the gravitational force between them ?

Foundation

Physics Foundation

Gravitation

Question

If we consider the gravitational force F between two objects of masses m₁ and m₂ respectively, separated by a distance R, and we double the distance between them, what is the new magnitude of the gravitational force between them ?

F/4

LiveFree JEE Main Previous Year Online Papers Live Free JEE Advance Previous Year Online Papers

College PredictorLive

Know your College Admission Chances Based on your Rank/Percentile, Category and Home State.

Get your JEE Main Personalised Report with Top Predicted Colleges in JoSA

According to Sir Newton's gravitational law the magnitude of gravitational force F between objects of mass m₁ and m₂ separated by a distance R is given by,

F = G \frac{m_{1} m_{2}}{R^{2}}

.............1

now if the distance between them is doubled i.e. 2R, then the gravitational force will be,

F^{'} = G \frac{m_{1} m_{2}}{{(2 R)}^{2}} = G \frac{m_{1} m_{2}}{4 R^{2}}

now by using equation 1,

F' = F/4