Question

The seperation distance between two masses is 0.400 m The objects have masses of 270 kg and a 570 kg. (a) Find the net gravitational force exerted by these objects on a 52.0 kg object placed midway between them.

Answer 1

the gravitational force between two massive bodies is given by Coulombs law as

where, G is the gravitational constant = 6.67 x 10^-11 N.m²/kg²

r is the distance between bodies

let

m₁ = 270 kg

m₂ = 570 kg and m = 52 kg

distnce between m₁ and m₂ = 0.400 m

since mass m lies midway between these two

hence distance between m and m₁ = distance between m and m₂ = 0.200 m

thus the force between m and m₁ is

similarly the force between mass m and m₂ is

at midway between the two masses 270 kg and 570 kg, the forces they exert are exactly oppositely directed,

so the net force is