Gravitational Forces

How can the gravitational force between two objects decrease?

Answer explanation

when the masses are decreased and/or when the distance between the two objects is increased.

The table below shows four examples of pairs of objects, their masses, and the distances between them. In which example is the gravitational force of attraction between the two objects the greatest?

Answer explanation

Example 2

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

If Neptune’s mass were reduced, what could be done to maintain the same force of gravitational attraction between Neptune and the Sun?

Answer explanation

You could decrease the distance between Neptune & the Sun or increase the mass of the Sun

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Why do the planets and other celestial objects in our Solar System revolve around the Sun?

Answer explanation

because the Sun has the greatest mass of any object in the Solar System, so everything else will be attracted to it.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Many planets in our solar system (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) have rings. If these rings are made of chunks of debris, why do they form around the planet and not travel toward the Sun?

Answer explanation

The rings are much closer to the planets than to the Sun, so there will be a greater gravitational pull toward the planets than to the Sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

An astronaut way out in space is considered to be “weightless" This is because–

• Gravitational force decreases greatly over long distances.

• Objects far away from the Earth have less mass.

• His mass is so small relative to the Earth that gravity doesn’t affect him.

• Gravitational force pushes objects away from each other at long distances.

The table provided shows data collected during an experiment. Which of the following claims is supported by the data?

• Gravitational forces are strongest between objects with identical masses.

• Gravitational forces are weakest when one object is more massive than another.

• Gravitational forces can never exceed an upper limit, regardless of the masses.

• Gravitational forces are proportional to the masses of the two objects.

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of the following does NOT affect the gravitational force between the Earth and the Sun?

• The mass of the Sun

• The net electrical charge of the Earth

• The mass of the Earth

• The distance been the Earth and the Sun

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NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The gravitational force between two objects will be very small, unless which of the following is true?

• The objects are in the solid states of matter.

• The objects are very far apart.

• The objects are traveling at a high rate of speed.

• The objects have large masses.

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Which of the following data would support the claim that the gravitational force between objects depends on mass?

• Gravitational force is stronger on more massive planets.

• A rocket can escape Earth's gravity by traveling at high speed.

• The further a planet is away from the sun, the smaller the gravitational force.

• An object's weight can change depending where it is on Earth.

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