Question

Four particles each of mass m are placed at vertices of
square of side a. What is gravitational potential energy
of system?​

Answer 1

Answer:

since potential energy of a system is a scalar quantity just add the energy required to bring the particles of mass m from infinity to a point as the potential energy is

U=gmm/r for two bodies of mass m

in a square there are 2 bodies of mass m on a distance a from a body(taking it as a reference point)and a particle of mass m at a distance (root 2) so adding upp the different potential energy we get...

U=2*Gmm/a +Gmm/root 2...here is your answer...