Two point masses and are fixed on a straight horizontal line and separated by

PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

Two point masses

m_1=5\,\text{kg}

and

m_2=10\,\text{kg}

are fixed on a straight horizontal line and separated by

40\,\text{cm}

. A point

P

lies on the line between the two masses at a distance of

10\,\text{cm}

from the

5\,\text{kg}

mass. (a) Calculate the magnitude and state the direction of the net gravitational field intensity at

P

. (b) Determine the position (measured from the

5\,\text{kg}

mass) along the line joining the two masses where the net gravitational field intensity becomes zero.