Choose the correct statement about gravitational force

Options

A. It forms action-reaction pair
B. It is a central force
C. It is a conservative force
D. It is independent of the medium between the masses

Answer

To solve the question regarding the correct statements about gravitational force, let's analyze the key concepts and properties of gravitational force step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Gravitational Force**:
- Gravitational force is the force of attraction between two masses. It is described by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that every point mass attracts every other point mass with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

2. **Formula for Gravitational Force**:
- The formula for gravitational force \( F \) between two masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) separated by a distance \( r \) is given by:
\[ F = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2} \]
- Here, \( G \) is the gravitational constant.

3. **Action-Reaction Pair**:
- According to Newton's third law of motion, the gravitational force between two masses is an action-reaction pair. If mass \( m_1 \) exerts a force \( F_{12} \) on mass \( m_2 \), then mass \( m_2 \) exerts an equal and opposite force \( F_{21} \) on mass \( m_1 \). Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
\[ F_{12} = -F_{21} \]
- This indicates that the forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

4. **Central Force**:
- Gravitational force is a central force because it acts along the line joining the centers of the two masses. The force is directed toward the center of the other mass.

5. **Conservative Force**:
- Gravitational force is a conservative force, which means that the work done by the gravitational force on an object moving from one point to another is independent of the path taken. The total mechanical energy in a gravitational field is conserved.

6. **Independence from Medium**:
- The gravitational force is independent of the medium between the two masses. The value of \( G \) remains constant regardless of the surrounding medium, meaning that the gravitational force does not change based on the medium.

### Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, all the statements regarding gravitational force are correct:
- It forms an action-reaction pair.
- It is a central force.
- It is a conservative force.
- It is independent of the medium between the masses.