Mass M1 and M2 are separated by a distance of R. If the distance between the two masses is reduced to one-third of R. What will happen to the gravitational force of attraction between the two masses?

a. The force will be one-ninth as great.
b. The force will be one-third as great.
c. The force will be three times as great.
d. The force will be nine times as great.

since F is inversely proportional to R^2, dividing R ny 3 multiplies F by 9.