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Two objects have masses of #32 MG# and #36 MG#. How much does the gravitational potential energy between the objects change if the distance between them changes from #42 m# to #24 m#?

Answer 1

Increases by 3.062 times.

#F=G(m_1m_2)/(r^2)#

G is a constant, #m_1 and m_2# do not change, so only the distance between the two masses has any effect on the force of attraction.

Originally the masses are 42 m apart, so the force is found by dividing by #42^2#.

The new distance is only 24 m, so force is found by dividing by #24^2#. Notice that the force is going to be larger (dividing by a smaller number).

#(42^2)/(24^2) = 3.062# times larger.

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Answer 2

Elena Albarran

(1.92 \times 10^{16} , J)

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.