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(a) What is the gravitational potential energy of a two-particle system with mas

ID: 1374092 • Letter: #

Question

(a) What is the gravitational potential energy of a two-particle system with masses 9.0 kg and 2.8 kg, if they are separated by 2.2 m? If you triple the separation between the particles, how much work is done (b) by the gravitational force between the particles and (c) by you (a) What is the gravitational potential energy of a two-particle system with masses 9.0 kg and 2.8 kg, if they are separated by 2.2 m? If you triple the separation between the particles, how much work is done (b) by the gravitational force between the particles and (c) by you

Explanation / Answer

a) m1 = 9 kg

m2 = 2.8 kg

separation distance , d = 2.2 m

Gravitational potential energy = - Gm1m2/d = - 6.67 x 10^-11 x 9 x 2.8 / 2.2 = - 7.64 x 10 -11 J

b) Work done by gravitational force between particles = G m1 m2 / 3d - G m1 m2 / d

   =

= - 2 G m1 m2 / 3d

= - 2 x 6.67 x 10^-11 x 9 x 2.8 /(3 x 2.2)

   = - 5.093 x 10 -10 J

  

c) Work done by you = - Work done by gravitational force = 5 .093 x 10 -10 J