Combined gravitational field strength

AI Thread Summary
To find the combined gravitational field strength at point (0,0) due to two fixed masses of 5 kg and 10 kg, the gravitational field contributions must be calculated separately and then added vectorially. The gravitational field strength from each mass is determined using the formula g = GM/r^2, with the distances from the point of interest factored in. Since the two fields point in different directions, they cannot be simply added; instead, the Pythagorean theorem is used to combine them. The correct combined gravitational field strength is 6.16 x 10^-10 N/kg at an angle of 22.5 degrees. Proper vector addition is crucial for accurate results in gravitational field calculations.
superaznnerd
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Homework Statement



2 masses, 5k and 10kg are fixed in place at the coordinates 1,0 and 1,1 respectively. what combined gravitational field strength do they produce at the point 0,0?

Homework Equations



g = GM/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


total g = G(5)/(1)^2 +G(5)/2
not the right answer though -- answer is 6.16 X 10^-10 @ 22.5 degrees
please help!
 
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You can't add them like that because the 2 fields point in different directions. You have to add them vectorially, using the Pythagorean theorem.
 
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