Question

Gravitational force does not depend on
$(a)$ Sum of their masses
$(b)$ Product of their masses
$(c)$ Gravitational constant
$(d)$ Separation of masses

Answer 1

The formula of gravitational force by Newton has to be reminded.
Note that, the force depends upon the product of two masses between which the force is worked and the distance between the two masses.
In this formula, we find that the force also depends upon the gravitational constant.

Formula used:
The gravitational force, $F = \dfrac{{GMm}}{{{r^2}}}$
$M$ and $m$ are the two masses,
$r$ is the distance between two masses.
$G$ is the gravitational force constant.

Complete step-by-step solution:
We have to remember that the force of gravitation between the two bodies of masses $M$ and $m$is,
$F = \dfrac{{GMm}}{{{r^2}}}$
$r$ is the distance between two masses.
$G$ is the gravitational force constant.
From the above relation, we can see that the force is directly proportional to the product of masses i.e. $F \propto \left( {M \times m} \right)$
The Force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance or the separation between two masses i.e. $F \propto \dfrac{1}{{{r^2}}}$
And, also depends upon the gravitational force constant $G$.
So, if we consider the given options we can conclude that the Gravitational force does not depend on the Sum of the masses of the bodies.
Hence, the option $(a)$is the right answer for the given question.

Note: As we know that the gravitational force is an attractive force. The size of the Gravitational force depends on the masses of the bodies between which this attraction is worked. The greater the masses, the huge the gravitational force will be.
If we want to measure the gravitational force on a human scale, then one of the objects must be as large as the planet is.