---
title: "Two spherical satellites of mass \\(M\\) are separated by a distance \\(R\\), and the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one satellite on the other is \\(F\\). One satellite is replaced by a new satellite with mass \\(2M\\), and the distance between the centers of the two satellites is increased to \\(3R\\). What is the magnitude of the new gravitational force between the satellites?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/110059/"
date_modified: "2026-03-26T07:45:51+00:00"
---

# Two spherical satellites of mass \(M\) are separated by a distance \(R\), and the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one satellite on the other is \(F\). One satellite is replaced by a new satellite with mass \(2M\), and the distance between the centers of the two satellites is increased to \(3R\). What is the magnitude of the new gravitational force between the satellites?

Two spherical satellites of mass \(M\) are separated by a distance \(R\), and the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one satellite on the other is \(F\). One satellite is replaced by a new satellite with mass \(2M\), and the distance between the centers of the two satellites is increased to \(3R\). What is the magnitude of the new gravitational force between the satellites?

![Two identical spheres labeled M are shown separated by a center-to-center distance R. An arrow between them indicates an attractive force F. A second scenario shows one sphere labeled 2M and one labeled M separated by a distance 3R.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1774511151-sg8Lyc.jpg)

- **A.** \(\dfrac{2}{27} F\)
- **B.** \(\dfrac{2}{9} F\)
- **C.** \(\dfrac{4}{9} F\)
- **D.** \(\dfrac{2}{3} F\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/110059/*