Final answer:
Gravitational force is affected by the product of the masses of the objects and the square of the distance between them. Composition, volume, and weight do not directly influence this force. Weight, as a measure of gravitational force, is an outcome of gravitation, not a factor.Both options B and C are correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that affect gravitational force relate directly to the intrinsic properties of the objects as well as the spatial relationship between them. According to the law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force (F) between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses (m1 and m2), and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between their centers of mass. This is mathematically represented by Newton's gravitational law: F = G * (m1 * m2) / r2, where G is the gravitational constant.
Thus, the factors affecting gravitational force are:
- Masses of the objects: Gravitational force increases with the product of the masses of the two objects involved.
- Distance between the objects: Gravitational force decreases as the square of the distance between the two objects increases.
Contrary to some misconceptions, the composition, volume, and weight of the objects do not directly influence the gravitational force between them. Weight is a measure of the gravitational force on an object and is thus a result, not a cause, of gravitation. Volume can affect mass and thus indirectly influence gravitational force if it leads to a change in mass. But, for two bodies of the same mass, the volume does not matter; only the mass and distance do.