Gravitation Problem: Force of Sphere on Sheet

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the gravitational force exerted by a uniform sphere of mass M and radius R, positioned at height h above an infinite sheet with uniform density ρ_s. The correct approach involves using Gauss's law to relate the gravitational field g to the mass density of the sheet. The participant initially attempted to derive the gravitational force using the equation F = GMm/R² but realized that their assumption about the gravitational field was incorrect, leading to an erroneous result. The correct gravitational force of the sphere on the sheet is given by the formula 2πGMρ.

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Homework Statement


If a uniform sphere of mass M and radius R, is height h above an infinite sheet of uniform density [tex]\rho[/tex][tex]_{s}[/tex], what is the gravitational force of the sphere, on the sheet.


Homework Equations


F=[tex]\frac{GMm}{R^{2}}[/tex]; [tex]\Phi[/tex]=[tex]\frac{GM}{R}[/tex]; [tex]\nabla[/tex][tex]\bullet[/tex]g=4[tex]\pi[/tex]G[tex]\rho[/tex]; U=m[tex]\Phi[/tex]; F=-[tex]\nabla[/tex]U


The Attempt at a Solution


My professor advised me to find the force of the sheet on the sphere since that force would be equal to the force of the sphere on the sheet. So I drew a gaussian cylinder around my "sheet" and attempted to calculate g by saying that [tex]\nabla[/tex][tex]\bullet[/tex]g = [tex]\frac{dg}{dz}[/tex] since all relavent field lines were in the z direction. All I think I need to know is whether or not that was the correct assumption. I don't think it is because it yeilds an answer that looks like 4[tex]\pi[/tex]G[tex]\rho[/tex]z. And the z is an issue. the answer in the back of the book is 2[tex]\pi[/tex]GM[tex]\rho[/tex]. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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There is another way to use the gaussian cylinder. There's an equation that relates the surface integral of dA over the cylinder, to the mass within the cylinder. I think that will be useful here.
 

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