Two heavy spheres eachof mass 100 kg and radius 0.10 m are placed 1.0 m apart on ahorizontal table. What is the gravitational force and potential atthe mid point of the line joining the centers of the spheres? Is anobject placed at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the equilibriumstable or unstable?
Two heavy spheres eachof mass 100 kg and radius 0.10 m are placed 1.0 m apart on ahorizontal table. What is the gravitational force and potential atthe mid point of the line joining the centers of the spheres? Is anobject placed at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the equilibriumstable or unstable?
Answer:
0;
–2.7 × 10–8 J /kg;
Yes;
Unstable
Explanation:
The situation is represented in the given figure:
Mass of each sphere, M = 100 kg
Separation between the spheres, r = 1m
X is the mid point between the spheres. Gravitational force at point X will be zero. This is because gravitational force exerted by each sphere will act in opposite directions.
Gravitational potential at point X:
Any object placed at point X will be in equilibrium state, but the equilibrium is unstable. This is because any change in the position of the object will change the effective force in that direction.
Answer:
0;
–2.7 × 10–8 J /kg;
Yes;
Unstable
Explanation:
The situation is represented in the given figure:
Mass of each sphere, M = 100 kg
Separation between the spheres, r = 1m
X is the mid point between the spheres. Gravitational force at point X will be zero. This is because gravitational force exerted by each sphere will act in opposite directions.
Gravitational potential at point X:
Any object placed at point X will be in equilibrium state, but the equilibrium is unstable. This is because any change in the position of the object will change the effective force in that direction.
