Question

Which change will cause the gravitational force between a baseball and a soccer ball to increase? Check all that apply.

Answer 1

Answer

moving the balls closer together

pumping more air into the soccer ball

putting the baseball in a plastic case

Explanation

Gravitational force is the force of attraction between two bodies of given masses. It is calculated by the formula;

Gravitational force = Gm₁m₂/r²

This formula shows that the force is directly proportional to G and the masses of the 2 bodies and inversely proportional to square of the distance between them.

∴ The following statements will cause a change in gravitational force;

moving the balls closer together ⇒ Increases the gravitational force

pumping more air into the soccer ball ⇒ Increases the mass of the ball hence increasing the gravitational force.

putting the baseball in a plastic case ⇒ It increases the mass of the ball hence increasing the gravitational force.

Answer 2

moving the balls closer together (1
pumping more air into the soccer ball (3)
putting the baseball in a plastic case (6)