Question

What happens to the force between two objects, if. the masses of both objects are doubled?

Answer 1

Gravitational force between two objects is given as, F = Gm1m2/r² .....(1)

where m1 and m2 are masses of objects, r is the seperation between them and G is gravitational constant.

here, masses of both objects are doubled. so, m1' = 2m1 and m2' = 2m2

now, new force, F' = G(2m1)(2m2)/r²

= 4Gm1m2/r²

from equation (1),

we get, F' = 4F

hence, if the masses of the objects are doubled, force becomes four times of its initial value.