sizzler
Nov21-04, 02:56 PM
I am working on this problem:
Four uniform spheres, with masses mA = 200 kg, mB = 100 kg, mC = 1900 kg, and mD = 250 kg, have (x, y) coordinates of (0, 50 cm), (0, 0), (-80 cm, 0), and (40 cm, 0), respectively. Sphere A is then removed. Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the remaining three-particle system
And I do not understand why I cannot get the correct answer. Potential energy equals...
= -G(m1m2)/r
Or in my case...
= -G(100*1900/80 + 100*250/40 + 1900*250/120)
= -4.6433E-7 J
Do I need to account for the loss of sphere A? Or is my error not accounting for the opposite direction of sphere C? Thanks for any advice.
Four uniform spheres, with masses mA = 200 kg, mB = 100 kg, mC = 1900 kg, and mD = 250 kg, have (x, y) coordinates of (0, 50 cm), (0, 0), (-80 cm, 0), and (40 cm, 0), respectively. Sphere A is then removed. Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the remaining three-particle system
And I do not understand why I cannot get the correct answer. Potential energy equals...
= -G(m1m2)/r
Or in my case...
= -G(100*1900/80 + 100*250/40 + 1900*250/120)
= -4.6433E-7 J
Do I need to account for the loss of sphere A? Or is my error not accounting for the opposite direction of sphere C? Thanks for any advice.