Three small spheres of mass m1=2.0kg, m2=3.0kg, and m3=4.0kg are fixed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side length L=0.50m. The system is isolated in deep space so that no external forces act on it.
(a) Calculate the gravitational potential energy associated with each distinct pair of spheres, taking the zero of potential energy to be at infinite separation.
(b) Determine the total gravitational potential energy of the three-sphere system. Express your answer numerically in joules.