Question

If two bodies of mass M and m2 are placed a distance r apart they have a force of gravitation F 6/w them . If both the masses are reduced to half then force of gravitation would be :

Answer 1

Gravitational force between two bodies is defined as GMm/R²

Case1

Gravitational force = GMm/R²

in this case actual mass of bodies are taken

Case2

In this case masses of bodies are reduced to half.

Gravitational force' =GM½m½/R²

Gravitational force'=GMm/4R²

Hence if we reduce mass to half the gravitational force is reduced to ¼th of its initial value