System A has masses m and m separated by a distance r; system B has masses m and 2m separated by a distance 2r; system C has masses 2m and 3m separated by a distance 2r; and system D has masses 4m and 5m separated by a distance 3r. Rank these systems in order of increasing gravitational force. Indicate ties where appropriate.
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Textbook Solutions for Physics
Question
Consider the four masses shown in Figure 1223. (a)Find the total gravitational potential energy of this system. (b) How does your answer to part (a) change if all the masses in the system are doubled? (c) How does your answer to part (a) change if, instead, all the sides of the rectangle are halved in length?
Solution
The first step in solving 12 problem number 42 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: Consider the four masses shown in Figure 1223. (a)Find the total gravitational potential energy of this system. (b) How does your answer to part (a) change if all the masses in the system are doubled? (c) How does your answer to part (a) change if, instead, all the sides of the rectangle are halved in length?
From the textbook chapter Gravity you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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