Two point masses are placed on a straight line in otherwise empty space

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Electric Charges and Fields · Electric Charges and Fields

Problem

Two point masses are placed on a straight line in otherwise empty space. Mass m1=2.0×104 kgm_1 = 2.0\times10^{4}\,\text{kg} is at point A and mass m2=1.0×104 kgm_2 = 1.0\times10^{4}\,\text{kg} is at point B, 3.0 m3.0\,\text{m} away from A. Point P lies on the line between A and B, 1.0 m1.0\,\text{m} from B (and therefore 2.0 m2.0\,\text{m} from A). Later, the mass at B is doubled and point P is relocated so that it is now 2.0 m2.0\,\text{m} from the new B position (still lying between the two masses). Take G=6.67×10−11 N m2kg−2G = 6.67\times10^{-11}\,\text{N m}^{2}\text{kg}^{-2}. (i) Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net gravitational field at the original position of P due to both masses. (ii) Determine the net gravitational field at the new position of P after the mass at B has been doubled and the point has been shifted. (iii) Compute the ratio of the new field magnitude to the original field magnitude.

Related theory

Browse the problem library