Newton's universal law of gravitation states that the force between two point masses m₁ and m₂ separated by distance r is:
AF = G m₁ m₂ / r
BF = G m₁ m₂ / r²
CF = G (m₁ + m₂) / r²
DF = G m₁ m₂ r²
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. F = G m₁ m₂ / r²
1. Newton: every body attracts every other with a force directly proportional to the product of masses.
2. The force is also inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
3. Combining: F = G m₁ m₂ / r², where G is the universal gravitational constant.
4. The force is along the line joining the two masses and is attractive.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Physics Ch 7 "Gravitation", §7.3 Universal Law of Gravitation, p. 130_
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