Question

A cluster comprising of 10 stars has a total gravitational potential energy of $30\times {10}^{10}Joules$. What is the potential energy of each star

• A. $30\times {10}^{10}Joules$
• B. $30\times {10}^{9}Joules$
• C. $30\times {10}^{8}Joules$
• D. This energy cannot be divided, since it is the energy of the system

Answer 1

The correct option is D This energy cannot be divided, since it is the energy of the system

Gravitational potential energy is the energy of the system and hence cannot be divided as belonging to constitutent masses
The correct option is (d)