Question

- Two equal masses m are placed at the two
corners of an equilateral triangle of side a. The
gravitational potential at the third corner of the
triangle will be ??? answer is -2 Gm/a
​

Answer 1

Answer:

The gravitational potential at the third corner is $-\frac{2Gm}{a}$

Explanation:

The gravitational potential energy between two masses M and m , separated by a distance r is given by

$\boxed{V=-\frac{GM}{r}}$

Length of the side of the equilateral triangle = a

Gravitational potential energy at the third corner

$V=-\frac{Gm}{a}-\frac{Gm}{a}$

$\implies V=-\frac{2Gm}{a}$

Hope this answer is helpful.