The discussion revolves around the behavior of gravitational forces acting on a point mass located within different mass configurations, specifically an enclosed shell and a ring of mass with uniform density. Participants explore the implications of Newtonian gravitation in these scenarios, questioning how to determine the net gravitational force in each case.
Participants express differing views on the applicability of the shell theorem and the nature of the gravitational forces in the scenarios presented. There is no consensus on how to approach the problem of the net gravitational force in the case of the ring.
Participants do not clarify the assumptions regarding the definitions of the mass configurations, nor do they resolve the mathematical implications of their claims. The discussion remains focused on conceptual understanding without definitive conclusions.
Quantumsatire said:So for a point mass in an enclosed shell, the net force of gravity is zero (similar to electricity in a Faraday cage I presume). However, what happens when that point mass is placed in side the ring of mass m and uniform density. Say the outer shell has radius r and inner shell has radius x, so the region r-x is a massed shell/ring. How would you find the net force of gravity?
Quantumsatire said:So for a point mass in an enclosed shell, the net force of gravity is zero (similar to electricity in a Faraday cage I presume). However, what happens when that point mass is placed in side the ring of mass m and uniform density. Say the outer shell has radius r and inner shell has radius x, so the region r-x is a massed shell/ring. How would you find the net force of gravity?