Physics (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118486897
ISBN 13: 978-1-11848-689-4

Chapter 4 - Forces and Newton's Laws of Motion - Problems - Page 119: 114

Answer

The initial acceleration of the 3rd sphere is $2.25\times10^{-10}m/s^2$

Work Step by Step

1) Take the mass of sphere 1 and sphere 2 to be $M=2.8kg$ and sphere 3 to be $m$ The gravitational force that sphere 1 and sphere 2 each has exerted on sphere 3 is $$F_{13}=F_{23}=G\frac{M\times m}{r^2}$$ Now we need to find the net force on sphere 3. As we can see in the below image, since $F_{13}=F_{23}$, the horizontal forces $F_{13}\sin\theta$ and $F_{23}\sin\theta$ cancel out each other. So the net force on sphere 3 is the sum of only the vertical component of $F_{13}$ and $F_{23}$ $$\sum F_3=F_{13}\cos30+F_{23}\cos30=2G\frac{Mm}{r^2}\cos30$$ $$\sum F_3=1.73G\frac{Mm}{r^2}$$ We know $G=6.67\times10^{-11}Nm^2/kg^2$, $M=2.8kg$ and distance $r=1.2m$ $$\sum F_3=(2.25\times10^{-10}m)N$$ 2) From Newton's 2nd Law: $$\sum F_3=ma_3=(2.25\times10^{-10}m)N$$ $$a_3=2.25\times10^{-10}m/s^2$$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.