Question

Two objects have masses of `32 MG` and `36 MG`. How much does the gravitational potential energy between the objects change if the distance between them changes from `42 m` to `24 m`?

Answer 1

Increases by 3.062 times.

Explanation:

`F=G(m_1m_2)/(r^2)`

G is a constant, `m_1 and m_2` do not change, so only the distance between the two masses has any effect on the force of attraction.

Originally the masses are 42 m apart, so the force is found by dividing by `42^2`.

The new distance is only 24 m, so force is found by dividing by `24^2`. Notice that the force is going to be larger (dividing by a smaller number).

`(42^2)/(24^2) = 3.062` times larger.