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: 28

Answer

$-1.82\times10^{-7}\;\rm J$

Work Step by Step

We know that the total gravitational potential energy of a system is the sum of the potential energies. $$U_{sys}=-U_{AB}-U_{AC}-U_{BC}$$ $$U_{sys}=-\left[U_{AB}+U_{AC}+U_{BC}\right]$$ $$U_{sys}=-\left[\dfrac{Gm_Am_B}{r_{AB}}+\dfrac{Gm_Am_C}{r_{AC}}+\dfrac{Gm_Bm_C}{r_{BC}}\right]$$ $$U_{sys}=-G\left[\dfrac{ m_Am_B}{r_{AB}}+\dfrac{ m_Am_C}{r_{AC}}+\dfrac{ m_Bm_C}{r_{BC}}\right]$$ Plugging the now from the geometry of the figure below; $$U_{sys}=-6.67\times10^{-11}\left[\dfrac{ (20)(10)}{0.10}+\dfrac{ (20)(5)}{0.20}+\dfrac{(10)(5)}{(10\sqrt 5)\times10^{-2}}\right]$$ $$U_{sys}=\color{red}{\bf -1.82\times10^{-7}}\;\rm J$$
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