What happens to the gravitational force if the distance between two objects increases?

• A. The gravitational force increases
• B. The gravitational force remains unchanged
• C. The gravitational force decreases
• D. The gravitational force becomes zero

Answer: (C)

When the distance between two objects increases, the gravitational force between them decreases. This relationship is described by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centers of the two objects. Specifically, if the distance doubles, the gravitational force becomes one-fourth of its original value. Thus, as the separation between the objects increases, the strength of the gravitational attraction diminishes.

This principle is pivotal in understanding various gravitational interactions, whether it's the attraction between planets, moons, or smaller objects on Earth. The decrease in gravitational force is a fundamental concept in physics, demonstrating how forces can vary with distance.