Q: The value of the universal gravitational constant $$G is $$closest to which of the following?

$$6.67 \times 10$$^{-11}$$ \ \mathrm{N \cdot m^2$ / kg^2$}$$

Question 1

According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, what happens to the gravitational force between two objects if the distance between them is tripled?

Accepted Answer

The force becomes one-ninth as strong.

Question 2

Which equation correctly expresses the Universal Law of Gravitation?

Accepted Answer

$$F = G \frac{m_1$ m_2$}{d^2$}$$

Question 3

The value of the universal gravitational constant $$G is $$closest to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

$$6.67 	imes 10$$^{-11}$$ \ \mathrm{N \cdot m^2$ / kg^2$}$$

Question 4

If the mass of the Earth were doubled, but the radius remained the same, what would happen to the gravitational force between the Earth and an object on its surface?

Accepted Answer

It would double.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes Einstein's view of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Gravity is the warping of space-time by mass.

Question 6

A 70 kg astronaut is orbiting Earth in the International Space Station. What is true about their weight?

Accepted Answer

Their apparent weight is zero because they are in free fall.

Question 7

Which of the following scenarios would result in the greatest apparent weight for a person standing on a scale?

Accepted Answer

Standing in an elevator accelerating upward.

Question 8

Why do ocean tides occur on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Because the Moon's gravity pulls more strongly on the side of Earth closest to it.

Question 9

If the distance between the centers of two objects is halved, what happens to the gravitational force between them?

Accepted Answer

It becomes four times as great.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why astronauts appear to float inside the International Space Station?

Accepted Answer

They are in continuous free fall around Earth.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about the relationship between real weight and apparent weight?

Accepted Answer

Apparent weight can be less than, equal to, or greater than real weight depending on acceleration.

Question 12

During which lunar phase do spring tides occur?

Accepted Answer

New moon and full moon.

Question 13

A 1 kg object is placed on the surface of Earth and then moved to a distance twice as far from Earth's center. What happens to its weight?

Accepted Answer

It becomes one-fourth as much.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a correct consequence of the inverse-square law for gravity?

Accepted Answer

Doubling the mass of one object reduces the force by half.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a neap tide?

Accepted Answer

A tide with the smallest difference between high and low water.

Question 16

A satellite orbits Earth at a constant speed. What is true about the forces acting on it?

Accepted Answer

The only force acting is gravity, which provides the centripetal force.

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct expression for the weight of an object near Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

$$W = mg$$

Question 18

If the mass of both objects in a gravitational interaction is doubled, what happens to the gravitational force between them?

Accepted Answer

It becomes four times as great.

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world example of the effect of gravity as described by Einstein's theory?

Accepted Answer

The bending of light around a massive star.

Study Notes: Gravity (Conceptual Physics, Chapter 9)

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