Calculating Net Gravitational Force on a Sphere from Multiple Particles

In summary, the problem involves calculating the gravitational force on a 20.0 kg sphere located at the origin due to the presence of two other spheres with masses and coordinates given. The gravitational force equation is used to find the force between each pair of spheres and then the components of the force are calculated using trigonometric functions. However, the final answer obtained seems to be incorrect.
  • #1
Dotty21690
13
0

Homework Statement



The masses and coordinates of three particles are as follows: 20.0 kg, (0.50, 1.00) m; 432.0 kg, (-1.00, -1.00) m; 71.0 kg, (0.00, -0.50) m. What is the gravitational force on a 20.0 kg sphere located at the origin due to the other spheres, magnitude and direction? Give the direction as an angle in degrees counter clockwise with respect to the the + x-axis.

Homework Equations



Fgrav=(Gm*m)/r2

The Attempt at a Solution


I did this equation from the 20 kg sphere to all the other ones, and did that force times cos and sin. but I am not getting the right answer.
 
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  • #2
Show your calculations.
 
  • #3
for the 20 kg to the 71 kg: F = (6.67E-11Nm^2/kg^2*20kg*71kg)/(.5m^2)=.000000379 (and this should be negative since its in the negative y direction and there is no x force)

for the 20kg to the 432 kg: F =(6.67E-11Nm^2/kg^2*20kg*432kg)/(sqrt(2)m^2)=.000000288
(negative because below x-axis) fx= .000000288cos(45)=.000000204=Fy

for the 20kg to the 20 kg: F =(6.67E-11Nm^2/kg^2*20kg*20kg)/(sqrt(1.25)m^2)=.000000019
Fx= .000000021cos(63.43)=.000000009 and Fy=.000000021sin(63.43)=.000000019

then I added them together: Fx= .000000009+(-.000000204)=-.000000195
Fy= .000000019+(-.000000379)+(-000000204)=-.000000564

(-.000000195)^2 + (-.000000564)^2= 3.56121E-13
sqrt(3.56121E-13)=5.97E-7
 
  • #4
I know I'm doing something wrong...but I don't know what it is.
 

FAQ: Calculating Net Gravitational Force on a Sphere from Multiple Particles

What is net gravitational force?

Net gravitational force, also known as net gravity, is the total force of gravity acting on an object. It takes into account the gravitational pull of all objects in the system, including planets, stars, and other celestial bodies.

How is net gravitational force calculated?

The net gravitational force is calculated using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: F = G(m1m2)/r^2, where F is the force, G is the universal gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the two objects in question, and r is the distance between them.

What factors affect the net gravitational force between two objects?

The net gravitational force between two objects is affected by the masses of the objects, the distance between them, and the gravitational constant. The more massive an object is, the stronger its gravitational pull. The closer two objects are, the stronger their gravitational attraction. The gravitational constant is a value that remains constant regardless of the mass or distance of the objects.

What are some real-life examples of net gravitational force?

Some real-life examples of net gravitational force include the gravitational pull between the Earth and the Moon, the gravitational pull between the Sun and the planets in our solar system, and the gravitational pull between two objects on Earth, such as a person and the Earth itself.

How does the net gravitational force affect the motion of objects?

The net gravitational force affects the motion of objects by causing them to accelerate towards each other. This acceleration is known as the gravitational pull. The strength of the gravitational pull determines the speed and direction of the object's motion.

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