- #1
Gauss177
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Homework Statement
Four 8.0-kg spheres are located at the corners of a square of side 0.50 m. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the gravitational force on one sphere due to the other three.
Homework Equations
F = (G*m1*m2)/r^2
The Attempt at a Solution
I labeled each sphere as A, B, C, and D, like this:
B C
A D
I chose A as my "focus," and found the force B, C, and D pulls on A.
B pulls on A with: (6.67*10^-11)(8)(8) / .5^2 = 1.71*10^-8 N
C pulls on A with: (6.67*10^-11)(8)(8) / .707^2 = 8.54*10^-9 N
D pulls on A with: 1.71*10^-8 N
Is there anything wrong with the numbers above? I don't know what to do from here on to find the magnitude of the total gravitational force and the direction (an angle measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis) it acts in.
Thanks for any help.