Chapter 13, Problem 6A

In what way does the force of gravity between two objects depend on their masses?

To determine

To discuss: The relation of force of gravity between two objects and their masses.

Answer to Problem 6A

Force of gravity between two objects directly related to the product of mass of two objects.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Gravitational force is the attractive force between any two bodies that are having mass. This force is always attractive because it continuously attempts to pull the bodies together and never tries to push them away from each other. If $A$ and $B$ are the two objects having masses $m_A$ and $m_B$ respectively which are separated by a distance $r$ , then the expression for gravitational force can be written as,

  $F\text{ = G}\frac{m_A{m}_B}{r^2}$

Where $\text{ G}$ is gravitational constant, $\text{ G}=6.674\times {10}^{-11}\text{ N}\cdot {\text{m}}^2/{\text{kg}}^2$

The expression for force of gravity clearly indicates that, the force of gravity between two objects is directly proportional to the product of masses of two objects. That means the force of gravity is more between the heavier objects than that between the lighter objects for a constant separation between the objects.