How to Calculate Gravitational Force in a Triangular Configuration?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the gravitational force on one sphere in a triangular configuration of three 10 kg spheres, the gravitational constant G = 6.67 x 10^-11 is used. The calculated force exerted on the chosen sphere by the other two spheres is 4.62 x 10^-8 N. The contributor detailed their method, breaking down the vector components of the forces exerted by the adjacent spheres. They confirmed the calculations for the horizontal and vertical components, leading to the resultant vector's magnitude. The response indicates that the calculations appear correct, affirming the contributor's approach.
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3 10 kg spheres are located at the corners of a equilateral triangle of sides .5m. Calculate the magnitude of the total gravitational force exerted on one sphere by the other two.

I used G = 6.67 x 10^-11.
The answer I got was 4.62 x 10 ^-8. Can anyone confirm if this is correct, or explain how to get the correct answer?
 
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It's much better if you explain how you got that answer. This way any mistakes can be pointed out.
 
Well I picked the ball in the bottom left corner, and found that the vector components of the force the ball to the right of it exerts on it is (2.668 x 10^-8, 0).

The force the top ball exerts on the bottom left corner would have vector components (2.668 * 10^-8cos(60), 2.668 * 10^-8sin(60)). I added these two vectors up, and got the resultant vector components, which I used the distance formula to find the magnitude and got 4.62 x 10 ^-8.
 
Can anyone confirm if I did it right, or point out any mistakes I made?
 
Looks good to me.
 
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