PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Three point masses mA=2kg, mB=3kg and mC=4kg are placed at the vertices A, B and C respectively of an equilateral triangle of side 0.40m.
(i) Draw a clear vector diagram showing the gravitational forces acting on mass mA due to masses mB and mC.
(ii) Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net gravitational force on the mass mA. Express the direction as an angle with respect to side AB.
(iii) Determine the magnitude of the gravitational field intensity at the centroid of the triangle due to all three masses together.