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JAMB Physics 1980 Question 1

Question 1

Gravitational Field

Which of the following statements is true of the law of universal gravitation?

  1. A.Any two bodies attract each other with a force which is proportional to the difference of their masses.
  2. B.Any two bodies attract each other with a force which is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
  3. C.Any two bodies attract each other with a force which is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
  4. D.Any two bodies attract each other with a force which is directly proportional to the square of the distance between them
  5. E.Any two bodies attract each other with a force which is proportional to the sum of their masses.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (Any two bodies attract each other with a force which is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them)

Explanation

Newton's law of gravitation: F = Gm1m2/r², proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of their separation. Option B states only half of the law.