Answer: The gravitational force would decrease by a factor of 9.
Explanation:
According to Newton's law of gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the center of their mass.
In other words, there is a 1/r² relationship.
Let's say the original r = 1.
F = 1/1² = 1.
If the distance is increased by a factor of 3, r = 3.
Therefore, F = 1/3² = 1/9.
The gravitational force would decrease by a factor of 9.
