Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 13 - Newton's Theory of Gravity - Exercises and Problems - Page 373: 26

Answer

a) $1.334\times10^{-6}\;\rm N$, $\approx 83^\circ$ a) $2.28\times10^{-7}\;\rm N$, $\approx 7.5^\circ$

Work Step by Step

a) We need to draw the force diagram exerted on the 20-kg mass (A). We can find the force exerted on A in both directions by applying Newton's gravitational law as follows; $$ F_x=F_{\rm B\;on\;A}=\dfrac{Gm_Am_B}{r_{AB}^2}$$ $$F_x=\dfrac{(6.672\times10^{-11})(20)(10)}{(0.1)^2}=\bf 1.334\times10^{-6}\;\rm N$$ $$ F_y=F_{\rm C\;on\;A}=\dfrac{Gm_Am_C}{r_{AC}^2}$$ $$F_y=\dfrac{(6.672\times10^{-11})(20)(5)}{(0.2)^2}=\bf 1.668\times10^{-7}\;\rm N$$ Now we can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the net force exerted on A. $$F=\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2}$$ Plugging from above; $$F=\sqrt{(1.334\times10^{-6})^2+(1.668\times10^{-7})^2}$$ $$\sum F=\color{red}{\bf1.344\times10^{-6}}\;\rm N$$ And its direction relative to $y-$direction is given by $$\theta =\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{F_x}{F_y}\right]$$ Plugging from above; $$\theta =\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{1.334\times10^{-6} }{1.668\times10^{-7} }\right]$$ $$\theta=\color{red}{\bf82.9}^\circ\tag{clockwise from $y$-axis}$$ ---- By the same approach, and from the geometry of the figure below; $$ F_x=F_{\rm B\;on\;C}\sin\theta=\dfrac{Gm_Cm_B}{r_{CB}^2}\sin\theta$$ $$F_x=\dfrac{(6.672\times10^{-11})(5)(10)}{(10\sqrt5 \times10^{-2})^2}\cdot \dfrac{10}{10\sqrt5}=\bf 2.984\times10^{-8}\;\rm N$$ $$ F_y=-F_{\rm A\;on\;C}-F_{\rm B\;on\;C}\cos\theta=-\dfrac{Gm_Am_C}{r_{AC}^2}-\dfrac{Gm_Cm_B}{r_{CB}^2}\cos\theta$$ $$F_y=-\dfrac{(6.672\times10^{-11})(20)(5)}{(0.2)^2}-\dfrac{(6.672\times10^{-11})(5)(10)}{(10\sqrt5 \times10^{-2})^2}\cdot \dfrac{20}{10\sqrt5}$$ $$F_y=\bf -2.2648\times10^{-7}\;\rm N$$ Now we can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the net force exerted on C. $$F=\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2}$$ Plugging from above; $$F=\sqrt{(2.984\times10^{-8} )^2+(-2.2648\times10^{-7})^2}$$ $$\sum F=\color{red}{\bf 2.28\times10^{-7}}\;\rm N$$ And its direction relative to $y-$direction is given by $$\theta =\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{F_x}{F_y}\right]$$ Plugging from above; $$\theta =\tan^{-1}\left[\dfrac{2.984\times10^{-8} }{2.2648\times10^{-7} }\right]$$ $$\theta=\color{red}{\bf 7.5}^\circ\tag{counterclockwise from $y$-axis}$$
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