Chapter 11, Problem 1RQ

What type of force is related to the mass of objects?

1. a. Electric force
2. b. Strong force
3. c. Magnetic force
4. d. Gravitational force

To determine

Find the correct option.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

The correct option is, “d. Gravitational force”.

Explanation of Solution

Discussion:

According to the Newton’s law of universal gravitation the objects having mass are attracted to one another by the force of gravitation. Greater object mass leads to increase in the gravitational force acting between them, and the force will be decreased when the objects move farther away from each other.

The mathematical form of the force is expressed as follows.

$F_G=G\frac{m_1{m}_2}{r^2}$

Here,

$F_G$ is the force,

$m_1,m_2$ are the masses,

$r$ is the distance between two masses, and

$G$ is the gravitational constant.

Electric force acts between two charged particles and is independent of the object’s mass. Hence the option (a) is incorrect.

Similarly the object’s mass is not associated to the strong force which is responsible for binding together the fundamental particles of matter in order to form particles which are larger in size. Therefore the option (b) is also incorrect.

Magnetic force is the force which acts between particles which are electrically charged due to their motion. This force varies with the velocity and charge of these particles and not their mass. Hence the option (c) is incorrect.

Therefore from the mathematical formula given above we can conclude that the force of gravitation is the only force which is associated to the object mass. Therefore the correct option is (d).

Conclusion:

Hence, the correct option is, “d. Gravitational force”.