In: Physics
Objects with masses of 140 kg and a 440 kg are separated by 0.500 m.
(a) Find the net gravitational force exerted by these objects on a 43.0-kg object placed midway between them.
Magnitude:
(b) At what position (other than infinitely remote ones) can the
43.0-kg object be placed so as to experience a net force of
zero?
m from the 440-kg mass
Gravitational constant = G = 6.674 x 10-11 m3kg-1s-2
Mass of object 1 = M1 = 440 kg
Mass of object 2 = M2 = 140 kg
Mass of object 3 = M3 = 43 kg
Distance between object 1 and object 2 = D = 0.5 m
Part A :
The 43 kg object is placed midway between object 1 and object 2.
Distance of object 1 from object 3 = d1 = 0.25 m
Distance of object 2 from object 3 = d2 = 0.25 m
Gravitational force of object 1 on object 3 = F1
Gravitational force of object 2 on object 3 = F2
Net force on object 3 = F
F = 1.377 x 10-5 N
Part B :
The 43 kg object is placed such that it experiences zero net force.
Distance of object 1 from object 3 = d
Distance of object 2 from object 3 = D - d = 0.5 - d
Gravitational force of object 1 on object 3 = F3
Gravitational force of object 2 on object 3 = F4
No net force is acting on the 43 kg object.
F3 = F4
d = 0.319 m
The 43 kg object has to be placed 0.319m from the 440 kg object so that it experiences zero net force.