Question

On doubling the distance between two masses the gravitational force between them will:

• A. Remain unchanged
• B. Become one-fourth
• C. Become half
• D. Become double

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Become one-fourth

$F_g=\frac{G{M}_1{M}_2}{R^2}$

If $R\to 2R$

Then, $F_g\prime =\frac{G{M}_1{M}_2}{(2R{)}^2}=\frac{G{M}_1{M}_2}{4R^2}=\frac{1}{4}{F}_g$

On doubling the distance between two masses the gravitional force between them will become one-fourth.