Let me correct the equation before somebody else does. :-)

F = (G * m1 * m2) / r^2

Where G is the gravitational constant.


"Bill Nunnelee" wrote in message
thlink.net...
The outcome of the boulders would depend on their velocities relative to
each other. If zero (and they were sufficiently close to each other),
their
mutual gravitational attraction would pull them together---instead of
orbiting, they would collide. (Gravity works over any distance, but if
they
were too far apart, the influence of other solar system bodies would
probably overwhelm any mutual attraction.) It wouldn't matter if they
were
launched from the earth or the moon.

Whether they would stay or go depends on whether they were given enough of
an initial push to reach escape velocity or not. The initial speed and
direction would also determine their orbit around the sun if they stayed.
They could also be ejected by passing close to another body and picking up
some of the body's energy. Gravitational assists were used with many
space
probes, and close passages of Jupiter have been responsible for ejecting
many comets over time.

Magnetism is an entirely different force. The strength of gravity depends
on the mass of the two objects involved and the distance between them.
Newton expressed it as F = m1*m2 / r^2, where m1 and m2 are the two masses
and r is the distance between them.




"Jim Jones" wrote in message
...
Hi.

If it where possible to create or to send 2 incredibly huge boulders
into outer space from Earth and just let them float out there , would
they eventually revolve around each other ? Is that how masses in
outer space work? They just find their gravitation point, and start to
"do si do" ?

What if launched from the moon ?

Or, would our solar system reject them? If so, what would it do with
these 2 new intruders, which did not come from way out there, but from
our modest little planet ?
Would they hook up with the asteroid belt outside of mars ?

Would they stay together at all, if when on earth they had absolutely
no magnetic properties ?

Does the pull of gravity get stronger on larger planets and weaker on
smaller planets ?

Why do the planets and moons pull (gravity) anyway? Is it because
they're so large? Is it the activity at the core?

Thanks in advance,

Jim