Gravitational force, the attractive force between two objects with mass, is influenced by several factors. The strength of the gravitational force depends on the masses of the objects involved and the distance between them. Let's explore these factors in more detail:
1. Mass: The greater the mass of an object, the stronger its gravitational force. For example, the Earth has a much larger mass compared to a person, so the gravitational force exerted by the Earth is much greater.
2. Distance: The gravitational force decreases as the distance between two objects increases. This relationship is described by the inverse square law. For instance, if the distance between two objects doubles, the gravitational force becomes one-fourth of its original strength.
3. Mass of Celestial Bodies: The mass of celestial bodies, such as planets, also affects the gravitational force. Larger objects tend to have stronger gravitational forces compared to smaller ones. For example, Jupiter has a significantly higher mass compared to Mars; therefore, it exerts a stronger gravitational force.