Question

find the potential energy of a system of four particles each of mass m placed at the vertices of a square of side L.Also obtain the potential at the centre of the square ​

Answer 1

Let A,B,C,D be the 4 point objects at the corner of a square of side l.

Then total potential energy of the system

= -[GMaMb/l + GMaMc/(l√2) + GMaMd/l]

{Ma=Mb=Mc=M}

=-[GM^2/l + GM^2/l√2 + GM^2/l]

=-[GM^2/l][2+√2}