Question

Three stars, Star 1, Star 2, and Star 3, are at almost equal distances from Earth. The table below shows the masses of the three stars.

Name of Star Mass of Star (in million solar masses)
Star 1 3.61
Star 2 18.59
Star 3 11.73
Which of these best shows the stars in the decreasing order of the force with which Earth attracts them?


Star 1→Star 2→Star 3

Star 2→Star 1→Star 3

Star 2→Star 3→Star 1

Star 3→Star 2→Star 1

Answer 1

The star with greater mass pulls the Earth with greater force. This is because, the star with greater mass has curved more space around it.
∴Star 2→Star 3→Star 1

Answer 2

Out of all 3 stars, the second star is the heaviest because it is 18.59 million solar masses, while Star 1 and Star 3 are 3.61 and 11.73 million in solar masses.

Also, we know that the heavier the star is, the greater the gravitational effect will have on Earth.

So with this information we know that since Star 2 is the heaviest, it will have the strongest gravitational force on Earth, then Star 3 is the second heaviest, followed by Star 1.

In conclusion, the final answer would be C. Star 2 > Star 3 > Star 1.