Which factors affect the gravitational force between two objects?

The gravitational force between two objects is directly influenced by their masses and the distance separating them. According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the force can be described by the equation:

[ F = \frac{G \cdot m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2} ]

In this equation, (F) represents the gravitational force, (G) is the gravitational constant, (m_1) and (m_2) are the masses of the two objects, and (r) is the distance between the centers of the two objects. This relationship shows that an increase in either mass will result in a greater gravitational force. Conversely, as the distance increases, the force diminishes, specifically in proportion to the square of the distance.

This understanding reinforces why the correct answer underscores the significance of mass and distance in determining gravitational interaction.