Question

Two objects of equal mass have a force of gravity of 6 N between them. Imagine the mass of one is cut in half and the other stays the same, what is the force due to gravity?

Answer 1

Answer:

F' = 3 N

Explanation:

Given that,

Two objects of equal mass have a force of gravity of 6 N between them.

If the mass of one is cut in half and the other stays the same such that,

m₁' = m₁ and m₂' = (m₂/2)

We need to find the new force. The gravitational force between two objects is given by :

$F=G\dfrac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$

We have, F = 6 N

New force,

$F'=G\dfrac{m_1'm_2'}{r^2}\\\\F'=\dfrac{Gm_1\times \dfrac{m_1}{2}}{r^2}\\\\=\dfrac{1}{2}\times \dfrac{Gm_1m_2}{r^2}\\\\F'=\dfrac{F}{2}\\\\F'=\dfrac{6}{2}\\\\F'=3\ N$

So, the new force becomes 3 N.