Three identical very dense masses of 6200 kg each are placed on the x axis. One

Question

Three identical very dense masses of 6200 kg each are placed on the x axis. One mass is at x1 = -110 cm , one is at the origin, and one is at x2 = 300 cm .

Part A

What is the magnitude of the net gravitational force Fgrav on the mass at the origin due to the other two masses?

Take the gravitational constant to be G = 6.67×1011 Nm2/kg2 .

Express your answer in newtons to three significant figures.

Part B

What is the direction of the net gravitational force on the mass at the origin due to the other two masses?

+x direction

or

+x direction

or

Explanation / Answer

Net gravitational force on the mass at origin is Fnet = F1+F2

F1 is the Gravitational force on the mass at origin by the mass at x1 = -110 cm

F1 = G*m1*m2/x1^2 = (6.67*10^-11*6200*6200)/1.1^2 = 2.12*10^-3 N along -X-directionn

F2 is the Gravitational force on the mass at origin by the mass at x2 = 300 cm

F2 = G*m1*m2/x2^2 = (6.67*10^-11*6200^2)/3^2 = 2.85*10^-4 N along + X-direction

Fnet = F2-F1 = (2.85*10^-4)-(2.12*10^-3)

Fnet = -0.001835 N = 1.835*10^-3 N along -X-direction

so the answers are

part A) 1.835*10^-3 N

part B) -x-direction

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