Topic: Universal law of gravitation· Gravitation

Two astronauts are floating in gravitational free space after having lost contact with their spaceship. The two will :

1. move towards each other.

2. move away from each other.

3. will become stationary.

4. keep floating at the same distance between them.

Doubtly Asked 30 Oct 2026 NEET UG 2017 Practice test neet Save WhatsApp Report

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Answer: 1. move towards each other.

Key idea: the only force between the two astronauts is their mutual gravitational attraction.

In free space there is no other external force. Each astronaut attracts the other with a force \(F=\dfrac{Gm_1m_2}{r^2}\), directed towards the other. So they accelerate towards each other, however slowly, and move closer.

They cannot stay at the same distance or move apart because nothing pushes them away, and they cannot become stationary since gravity is always acting.

Doubtly AI · 30 Oct 2026 AI-generated · not yet verified Report

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Two astronauts are floating in gravitational free space after having lost contact with their spaceship. The two will :

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