select the correct image. each pair of clay balls represents two planetesimals. if each planetesimal is…

select the correct image. each pair of clay balls represents two planetesimals. if each planetesimal is composed of the same material and is separated by the same distance, which pair experiences the greatest gravitational attraction?

select the correct image. each pair of clay balls represents two planetesimals. if each planetesimal is composed of the same material and is separated by the same distance, which pair experiences the greatest gravitational attraction?

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational - force formula

The gravitational force formula is $F = G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$, where $G$ is the gravitational constant, $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the masses of the two objects, and $r$ is the distance between them. Given that $r$ is the same for all pairs and the material is the same (so mass is proportional to volume), larger - sized objects have larger masses.

Step2: Analyze mass product

The gravitational force is proportional to the product $m_1m_2$. The pair with the largest combined mass (i.e., the largest - sized objects) will have the largest product $m_1m_2$.

Answer:

The pair of the largest - sized clay balls (the top - right pair in the image) experiences the greatest gravitational attraction.