Question

For two objects of masses m1 and m2 and the distance between them r, the force (F) of attraction acting between them is given by the universal law of gravitation as:​

Answer 1

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  m1m2/R^2............eq1 ,

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

F′  = G  m1m2/(2R)^2  

= G  m1m2/4R^2,

now by using eq1 ,

F′  = F/4 (Ans.)