minimax
Astronomy Que!
Three stars lie on a line (1,2,3). The distance from star 1 to star 3 is labelled as D. If star 1 is four times that of star 3, and seven times of star 2, what is the distance between star 1 and 2 if the net force of star 2 is zero?
F=\frac{Gm1m2}{r^{2}}
Since the net force for star 2 is zero, I know that the force between star 1 and 2 is the same as the force between start 2 and 3
\frac{Gm1m2}{r^{2}}=\frac{Gm2m3}{r^{2}}
I tried to sub in values to find the force between star 1 and 3
F=\frac{Gm3(4m3)}{D}
but I'm not sure where to go from here...
Thank you
Homework Statement
Three stars lie on a line (1,2,3). The distance from star 1 to star 3 is labelled as D. If star 1 is four times that of star 3, and seven times of star 2, what is the distance between star 1 and 2 if the net force of star 2 is zero?
Homework Equations
F=\frac{Gm1m2}{r^{2}}
The Attempt at a Solution
Since the net force for star 2 is zero, I know that the force between star 1 and 2 is the same as the force between start 2 and 3
\frac{Gm1m2}{r^{2}}=\frac{Gm2m3}{r^{2}}
I tried to sub in values to find the force between star 1 and 3
F=\frac{Gm3(4m3)}{D}
but I'm not sure where to go from here...
Thank you