What does the gravitational force between two objects depend on?

The gravitational force between two objects is directly influenced by both the masses of the objects involved and the distance separating them. This relationship is articulated in Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the gravitational force is proportional to the product of the two masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. Thus, as the mass of either object increases, the gravitational force increases correspondingly. Conversely, as the distance between the objects increases, the gravitational force decreases.

This principle establishes that mass is a critical factor since gravitational attraction arises from the mass of the objects. The distance factor is equally significant because even a small increase in the distance can lead to a substantial decrease in the gravitational force, as it follows an inverse square relationship. Therefore, the correct answer identifies the two fundamental factors that determine gravitational attraction between masses.