Q. If three particles each of mass $M$ are placed at the three corners of an equilateral triangle of side $a$, the forces exerted by this system on another particle of mass $M$ placed (i) at the mid point of a side and (ii) at the centre of the triangle are respectively

A) 0, 0
B) $\frac{4GM^{2}}{3a^{2}},0$
C) $0,\frac{4GM^{2}}{3a^{2}}$
D) $\frac{3GM^{2}}{a^{2}},\frac{GM^{2}}{a^{2}}$
Explanation

(b) (i)Gravitational force on the particle placed at mid point $D$ of side $BC$ of length $a$ is
[image:8_image81.emf]
$\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}\mathbf{=}{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{1}\mathbf{+}{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{2}\mathbf{+}{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{3}$
Here, ${\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{2}\mathbf{= -}{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{3}$
$\therefore{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{\mathbf{\ }}\mathbf{=}{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{1} + 0 = {\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{1}$
or $F = F_{1} = \frac{GMM}{\lbrack AD\rbrack^{2}} = \frac{GM^{2}}{(3a^{2}/4)} = \frac{4GM^{2}}{3a^{2}}$
(ii)gravitational force on the particle placed at the point $O$, $ie$ the intersection of three medians is
${\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{\mathbf{\ }} = {\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{1} + {\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{2} + {\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{3} = {\overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}}_{\ }$ or $F = 0$
[image:8_image82.emf]
Since, the resultant of ${\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{2}$ and ${\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{3}$ is equal and opposite to ${\overrightarrow{\mathbf{F}}}_{1}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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