What does it mean for a force to act in accordance with an inverse square law?

A. The force is directly proportional to the distance squared.

B. The force is directly proportional to 1/r^2 where r is the distance.

C. The force decreases if the distance increases.

D. The square of the force is inversely proportional to the distance.

**not sure :( thank you! :)

Question

What does it mean for a force to act in accordance with an inverse square law?

A. The force is directly proportional to the distance squared.

B. The force is directly proportional to 1/r^2 where r is the distance.

C.  The force decreases if the distance increases.

D.  The square of the force is inversely proportional to the distance.

**not sure :( thank you! :)

michele_laino · Answer

I think that C. is true, because the gravitational force acting between two masses, namely m_1 and m_2, whose distance from each other is r, is:
$$F=G \frac{ m _{1}*m _{2} }{ r ^{2} }$$
where G is the gravitational constant

michele_laino · Answer

furthermore I think that also B. is right, as we can see from the formula above!

anonymous · Answer

ohh okay! :) which would be the best answer do you think? I can only choose one! :(

michele_laino · Answer

namely if distance doubles then the force reduces itself  by a factor of 4

michele_laino · Answer

I think B because is more specific!

anonymous · Answer

ah okay!! thank you:)

michele_laino · Answer

thank you! :)

anonymous · Answer

it means..some crazy guy who was a genius had nothing else to do

anonymous · Answer

B though