Imagine a new planet is discovered with two moons of equal mass: Moon A and Moon B.

The mass of the new planet is greater than the combined mass of its moons.

Moon A is farther away from the new planet than Moon B.

What is the planet's gravitational pull on Moon A compared to the planet's gravitational pull on Moon B?

Question

Imagine a new planet is discovered with two moons of equal mass: Moon A and Moon B. 

 

The mass of the new planet is greater than the combined mass of its moons. 

 

Moon A is farther away from the new planet than Moon B. 

 

What is the planet's gravitational pull on Moon A compared to the planet's gravitational pull on Moon B?

anonymous · Answer

A.
	The planet's gravity repels Moon A with a greater force than it repels Moon B, which is why Moon A is farther away.
	
 
B.
	The gravitational pull on Moon A is the same as the gravitational pull on Moon B because distance does not affect the planet's gravity.
	
 
C.
	The gravitational pull on Moon B is greater than on Moon A because Moon B is closer to the new planet than Moon A.
	
 
D.
	The gravitational pull on Moon B is greater than on Moon A because Moon B is farther away from the new planet than Moon A.

anonymous · Answer

gravitational force inversely proportional to square of distance between objects
pull is greater on nearer object 
C option is correct