What is the arrangement of net gravitational force on a particle labeled m?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The arrangement of net gravitational force on a particle labeled m is determined by the distances of surrounding masses. The consensus among participants indicates that the correct order from smallest to largest net gravitational force is A, B, D, C. Specifically, in configuration B, one mass is at distance d and another at distance D, resulting in a greater net force compared to configuration D, where one mass is at distance d and another at distance √(d² + D²). This analysis highlights the importance of distance in gravitational force calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
  • Familiarity with gravitational force calculations
  • Basic knowledge of geometry, particularly distance formulas
  • Ability to interpret and analyze diagrams related to gravitational forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation in detail
  • Learn how to calculate gravitational forces using different mass configurations
  • Explore the concept of gravitational potential energy
  • Investigate the effects of distance on gravitational force strength
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching gravitational concepts, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of gravitational force arrangements.

duoshock
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I attached a diagram... to find out the arrangement of the magnitude of the net gravitational force on the particle labeled m from the smallest to the biggest.

my answer is A B D C, anyone had a different way of looking at it?
could you explain? some of my friends said it was A D B C... =|

Thanks in advance
duoshock
 

Attachments

  • netgravitatationalforce.JPG
    netgravitatationalforce.JPG
    34.6 KB · Views: 495
Physics news on Phys.org
In B, there is one mass at distance d, the other at distance D.
In D, there is one mass at distance d, the other at distance [itex]\sqrt{d^2+ D^2}[/itex].

The force from the mass at distance D will be greater than the force from the mass a distance [itex]\sqrt{d^2+ D^2}[/itex] so the net force in B is greater than in D.
 
i give D a value of 50 and d a value of 1 and my result is square root of (d^2 + D^2) is more than D. My maths isn't very good. Could you help to explain?

Thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
814
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K