If the distance between Earth and the Sun were cut in half, the gravitational force between these two objects would
A) decrease by a factor of 4.
B) decrease by a factor of 2.
C) increase by a factor of 2.
D) increase by a factor of 4.
E) decrease by a factor of 8.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between two objects. If the distance is halved, the force increases by a factor of 4 (since (1/0.5)^2 = 4).

If the Distance Between Earth and the Sun Were Cut