Assignment 1: Chapters 1 and 2 // Due 09/17
[1] Short answer questions (2 points for each lettered subheading):
(a) What happens to the strength of the gravitational attraction between two masses if you reduce
the distance between them by half?
Gravitational Force: 𝐹=! #! ##
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What happens to the strength of the gravitational attraction if you do not alter the distance, but
you double both masses?
Hint: You should be able to answer these two questions by inspecting the form of Newton’s
gravitational force equation (above). Imagine making the requested changes to the variable(s)
and then observing the resultant effect on F. You can make it easier on yourself by imagining
that the original values of all the variables (letters) are equal to one.
(b) How many astronomical units are there between the Earth and the Sun?
What is the numerical value of an astronomical unit in kilometers?