Two neutral bodies of masses m₁ and m₂ are kept at a distance of r cm from one another in a vacuum medium. A gravitational force F_v acts between the two bodies. The entire set-up is then transferred, as it is, to a water medium. The force between the bodies is then F_w . The ratio of F_v to F_w is:

Step-by-step solution

The gravitational force between two masses m₁ and m₂ separated by a distance r is given by Newton's law of universal gravitation: F = G m₁ m₂ r^2 The universal gravitational constant G is a fundamental constant and is completely independent of the nature of the intervening medium between the masses. Thus, the gravitational force between the two bodies remains exactly the same whether they are kept in a vacuum or in water. Therefore, F_v = F_w , which gives the ratio F_v : F_w = 1:1 . Answer: 1:1