Two point masses and are fixed at a separation (with )

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

Problem

Two point masses

M

and

m

are fixed at a separation

d

(with

M>m

). The null point lies somewhere between them. If the smaller mass

m

is increased while

M

and

d

remain unchanged, what happens to the position of the null point? (a) It shifts toward

M

(b) It shifts toward the original position of

m