- #1
brendan3eb
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Homework Statement
A mass M is split into two parts, m and M - m, which are then separated by a certain distance. What ratio m/M maximizes the magnitude of the gravitational force between the parts?
Homework Equations
F=Gm1m2/d^2
The Attempt at a Solution
I first just tried plugging in M - m and m in for m1 and m2 to see what I get.
F=(GMm-Gm)/d^2
I believe that I will have to take a derivative to find the maximum, but I am confused as to what I should take the derivative with respect to.