Potential Energy of a system of particles

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the potential energy of a system of three particles, each with a mass of 4.00 g, positioned at the corners of an equilateral triangle with sides measuring 36.0 cm. The formula used for gravitational potential energy between two masses is Gm1m2/R, and the total potential energy is the sum of the pairwise interactions. A calculation was attempted, yielding a total potential energy of 1.5414E-14, but the final answer was deemed incorrect. There is confusion regarding the distance used in the calculations, specifically the value d = 0.2078, which some participants believe may be erroneous. Clarification on the distance calculation and potential errors in the formula application is sought.
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A system consists of three particles, each of mass 4.00 g, located at the corners of an equilateral triangle with sides of 36.0 cm.

(a) Calculate the potential energy of the system.

m = .004, d = .2078

UG = Gm1m2/R
U_total = sum of U_i
U_total = Gm1m2/R + Gm1m3/R + Gm2m3/R
U_total = [((6.67300E-11)(.004)(.004))/(.2078)] * 3
U_total = 1.5414E-14

Final answer is incorrect. Any ideas?
 

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How did you get d = .2078 ? That looks wrong to me, though I haven't seen your attachment yet.
 
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