Three identical point masses are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of…

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

Three identical point masses

m

are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side length

L

. What is the total gravitational potential energy of the three-mass system? (a)

U=-\dfrac{Gm^{2}}{L}

(b)

U=+\dfrac{3Gm^{2}}{L}

(c)

U=-\dfrac{3Gm^{2}}{L}

(d)

U=-\dfrac{3Gm^{2}}{2L}