How to Calculate Gravitational Force in a Triangular Configuration?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the gravitational force between three 10 kg spheres positioned at the corners of an equilateral triangle with sides of 0.5 m. The original poster seeks confirmation of their calculated total gravitational force on one sphere due to the other two.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster describes their calculation process, including the use of gravitational constant and vector components to determine forces. Other participants question the clarity of the original poster's explanation and seek to identify any potential mistakes in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing feedback on the original poster's approach. There is a request for confirmation of the calculations, but no explicit consensus has been reached regarding the correctness of the answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants emphasize the importance of explaining the calculation steps to facilitate error identification. The original poster's calculations are based on assumptions about the configuration and forces involved.

ravennnn
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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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