(To be clear, I’m more interested in the reach and scaling of gravity.)

If we were to suddenly double earth’s mass, but not it’s size, would it’s field double in size (I assume strength as well), to the extent that if I were to measure this increased gravity at the same place I measured earth’s normal gravity, it would simply be double? If so, the least measurable point of both gravitates should also be the same?

Just wondering if there’s diminishing returns or if mass and density affects a gravity field the same regardless of whether it’s an asteroid or a billion Solar Masses.

Feel free to share any views I’m not taking into account in regards to gravity fields.

Thanks

  • SpziEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    If Earth’s mass were to double, all gravitational relations, including potentials, would also increased but it’s not exactly double as the equation should also account for the other body or bodies masses.

    I think the simple Newtonian version is: Break down each gravitational relation (A and B pull on each other) in it’s components: A pulls on B, and B pulls on A. If you double the mass of A, this has two effects:

    • A pulls on B twice as much
    • B pulls on A the same, but needs twice as much force to achieve the same acceleration (a = F / m)