Question

Write 2-3 sentence to explain the relationship between gravitational force, mass, and distance?
Write 2-3 sentences to determine and explain if doubling mass or doubling distance would have a greater affect on the gravitational force?
Can you keep it simple.

Answer 1

Fnet = m • a

Newton knew that the force that caused the apple's acceleration (gravity) must be dependent upon the mass of the apple. And since the force acting to cause the apple's downward acceleration also causes the earth's upward acceleration (Newton's third law), that force must also depend upon the mass of the earth. So for Newton, the force of gravity acting between the earth and any other object is directly proportional to the mass of the earth, directly proportional to the mass of the object, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance that separates the centers of the earth and the object.