Two small bodies of masses 2.00 kg and 4.00 Kg are kept at rest at a separation of 2.0 m. Where a particle of mass 0.10 kg should be placed to experience no net gravitational force from these bodies? The particle is placed at this point. What is the gravitational potential energy of the system of three particles with usual reference level?

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

The gravitational force from the two bodies should be equal and opposite to each other, for the mass to experience no net gravitational force. This is possible only if its kept somewhere in between the line joining the centers of the two bodies.

Let the mass be at a distance x from 2 kg.

The gravitational field due to 2 kg is ————(1)

And the field due to 4 kg is —————(2)

Now, (1) and (2) should be equal.

Therefore, the particle should be placed at a distance of 0.83 m from the 2 kg body on the line joining the two bodies.

The gravitational potential energy is given by