Need universal Gravitation help

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating gravitational force using the formula Fg = G M1 M2 / D^2. Participants express confusion about the coefficients in their equations, specifically why the second equation has a factor of 2 and the third has a factor of 6. Clarifications are provided that these coefficients relate to the number of masses involved in the calculations based on the diagrams provided. Ultimately, the correct approach involves substituting the specific values from the diagrams into the gravitational force equation. The thread concludes with one participant acknowledging their misunderstanding and receiving assistance from their teacher.
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Homework Statement


what is the magnitude of Gravitational force
for the following picture(s)
(attached to forum)

Homework Equations


Fg = G M*M/D^2


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to do some of them I know the equation for the second one is fG = 2G M*M/D^2
and for the third one it's Fg = 6G M*M/D^2
But I have no idea where the 2 came from for the second one and the 6 from the third one!
 

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Combine said:

Homework Statement


what is the magnitude of Gravitational force
for the following picture(s)
(attached to forum)

Homework Equations


Fg = G M*M/D^2


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to do some of them I know the equation for the second one is fG = 2G M*M/D^2
and for the third one it's Fg = 6G M*M/D^2
But I have no idea where the 2 came from for the second one and the 6 from the third one!

A better way to write that force is F = G M1 M2 / D^2, where M1 and M2 are the two masses. Does that help?
 
Kinda, I still don't understand where the 2 in fG = 2G M1 * M2/D^2
or the 6 in fG = 6G M1 * M2/D^2 come from
 
Combine said:
Kinda, I still don't understand where the 2 in fG = 2G M1 * M2/D^2
or the 6 in fG = 6G M1 * M2/D^2 come from

In the 3rd one, what are M1 and M2?
 
According to my sheet, it's just simply m1 and m2, there are no mass representing them, I think you just have to write the final equation
 
Combine said:
According to my sheet, it's just simply m1 and m2, there are no mass representing them, I think you just have to write the final equation

attachment.php?attachmentid=37175&stc=1&d=1310606192.gif


There are two masses and a distance indicated. Call the mass on the left M1, and the mass on the right M2. What are M1 and M2 according to the figure? What is the distance?
 

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there is no mass specified it just says M1 and M2 and distance is just represented by d
 
Combine said:
there is no mass specified it just says M1 and M2 and distance is just represented by d

Look more closely at the diagram. I don't see the characters "M1" or "M2" in the figure. How are the masses labelled?
 
Never mind my teacher answered the question for me (after several rather painful hours of waiting) we just have to make the equation nothing special, Fg = 6G M1 * M2 / d
and he also explained to me what the 6 was...

I am such an idiot >.<
thanks for the help though
 
  • #10
You just insert the numbers in the pictures into the equation. For example:

The second one - F=\frac{G2mM}{{\Delta}d^{2}}

Which also is equal to - F=\frac{2GmM}{{\Delta}d^{2}}

Basically, you take the number of the specific mass or {\Delta}d and multiply it or divide it by the appropriate amount as represented by the picture.

The third one is F=\frac{G2m_{1}3m_{2}}{{\Delta}d^{2}} and it simplifies to F=\frac{6Gm_{1}m_{2}}{{\Delta}d^{2}}EDIT: Ah whoops, I replied to late...
 
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