wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
5
You visited us 5 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

State the universal law of gravitation.
Three masses 5kg, 2 kg and 7 kg are aligned in a straight line as shown below.
Find the net gravitational force on 4 kg? [5 MARKS]

Open in App
Solution

Definition: 2 Mark
Problem: 3 Mark


1. The universal law of gravitation states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force called the gravitational force. The force acting between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

2. 5 kg and 7 kg masses attract the 4 kg mass in opposite direction. So, the net force is subtraction.
The gravitation force due to 5 kg on 4 kg is:
F = GmMd2
F = 5 × G = 33.5 × 1011 N (The direction of force is towards 5 kg mass)
The gravitational force due to 7 kg on 4 kg:
F = GmMd2
F = 7 × G = 46.69 × 1011​N (The direction of force is towards 7 kg mass).
Since the force on 2 kg masses due to 5 kg mass is opposite to the force due to 7 kg on 2 kg mass. The net force is the subtraction of both the forces.
Net force on 2 kg mass = (46.69 - 33.5) × 1011​​ N = 13.19 × 1011 ​​N.

flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
2
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
The Story of Gravity
PHYSICS
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon