- #1
Abu
Homework Statement
4 10kg objects are located at the corners of a rectangle sides 2 meters and 1 meter. Calculate the magnitude of gravitational force on 1 due to the other 3.
(Same sort of idea)
3 1kg objects are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side length 1 meter
Homework Equations
F= Gm*M/r^2
The Attempt at a Solution
So, let's say that I am finding the gravitational force on 1 for the rectangle (labeling the rectangle clockwise starting from the top right). My first idea was to find the gravitational force between 1 and 4 which would be directly to the left.
Then I wanted to find the gravitational force between 1 and 2 which would be directly below the rectangle. Then I wanted to find the gravitational force between 1 and 3, which would be directly diagonal from 1.
So here are my calculations for those, in order:
Force on 1 due to 4: 6.67*10^-11 10*10/2^2 = 1.67*10^-9
Force on 1 due to 2: 6.67*10^-11 10*10/1^2 = 6.67*10^-9
Force on 1 due to 3: 6.67*10^-11 10*10/√5^2 = 1.334*10^-9
But I don't know what to do from here because my answer is wrong. Am I supposed to be adding these 3 forces together, or is there a vertical and horizontal component I am missing or something?
I am assuming that if I understand how to do the rectangle one, I'll be able to do the triangle one. I may need help with that one too though
If my question isn't clear, I'll be happy to clarify it for you. Thank you.