Gravitational Potential Energy of a System

[blackheart]

1. A system consists of three particles, each of mass 1.90 g, located at the corners of an equilateral triangle with sides of 31.0 cm. Calculate the potential energy of the system.

2. Homework Equations :

U= -(Gm₁m₂)/r

G = 6.67x10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2

3. My attempt:

I would think each particle would exert the same gravitational field on the other two particles. Therefore:

U = 3(-Gm₁m₂)/r

U = -2.45 x 10^-12 J

 

[CxStrike]

Your theory is right...I'd try the calculation again. When I did it, I got a different answer.