Three objects of equal mass are are arranged along a straight line. What is the

Question

Three objects of equal mass are are arranged along a straight line. What is the direction of the net force acting on m2?

-----m1-----m2-----------m3-------

a. The net force is zero because the force exerted by m3 on m2 will be equal to the force exerted by m1 on m2 because the masses are equal. b. There is not enough information to determine the direction of the net force acting on m2. c. The net force will act to the right because the force exerted by m3 on m2 will be greater than the force exerted by m1 on m2 because m1 is closer than m3. d. The net force will act to the left because the force exerted by m1 on m2 will be greater than the force exerted by m3 on m2 because m1 is closer than m3.

Explanation / Answer

force exerted by 1 on 2 F12x = -G*m1*m2/r12^2 = -Gm^2/r12^2

force exerted by 3 on 2 F32x = G*m3*m2/r32^2 = Gm^2/r32^2

Fnet = F12 + F32 = Gm^2*(1/r32^2 - 1/r12^2)

since distance between m1 ,m2 = r12 < distance between m2&m3 = r32

r12 < r32

F12 > F32

net force is towards left

option (d)

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