Three equal masses of $m \; kg$ each are fixed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle $ABC.$
$(a)$ What is the force acting on a mass $2 \; m$ placed at the centroid $G$ of the triangle?
$(b)$ What is the force if the mass at the vertex $A$ is doubled?
Take $AG = BG = CG = 1 \; m$.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The angle between $GC$ and the positive $x$-axis is $30^{\circ}$,and so is the angle between $GB$ and the negative $x$-axis. The individual forces in vector notation are:
$F_{GA} = \frac{G m (2m)}{1^2} \hat{j} = 2Gm^2 \hat{j}$
$F_{GB} = \frac{G m (2m)}{1^2} (-\cos 30^{\circ} \hat{i} - \sin 30^{\circ} \hat{j}) = 2Gm^2 (-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{i} - \frac{1}{2} \hat{j}) = -Gm^2 \sqrt{3} \hat{i} - Gm^2 \hat{j}$
$F_{GC} = \frac{G m (2m)}{1^2} (+\cos 30^{\circ} \hat{i} - \sin 30^{\circ} \hat{j}) = 2Gm^2 (\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \hat{i} - \frac{1}{2} \hat{j}) = Gm^2 \sqrt{3} \hat{i} - Gm^2 \hat{j}$
From the principle of superposition,the resultant gravitational force $F_R$ on $(2m)$ is:
$F_R = F_{GA} + F_{GB} + F_{GC} = 2Gm^2 \hat{j} + (-Gm^2 \sqrt{3} \hat{i} - Gm^2 \hat{j}) + (Gm^2 \sqrt{3} \hat{i} - Gm^2 \hat{j}) = 0$
Alternatively,by symmetry,the resultant force is zero.
$(b)$ If the mass at vertex $A$ is doubled,the new force $F'_{GA} = \frac{G (2m) (2m)}{1^2} \hat{j} = 4Gm^2 \hat{j}$.
The forces $F_{GB}$ and $F_{GC}$ remain unchanged.
$F'_R = F'_{GA} + F_{GB} + F_{GC} = 4Gm^2 \hat{j} - Gm^2 \hat{j} - Gm^2 \hat{j} = 2Gm^2 \hat{j}$ (directed towards $A$).

Explore More

Similar Questions

When a satellite in a circular orbit around the earth enters the atmospheric region,it encounters small air resistance to its motion. Then

Answer the following:
$(a)$ You can shield a charge from electrical forces by putting it inside a hollow conductor. Can you shield a body from the gravitational influence of nearby matter by putting it inside a hollow sphere or by some other means?
$(b)$ An astronaut inside a small space ship orbiting around the earth cannot detect gravity. If the space station orbiting around the earth has a large size,can he hope to detect gravity?
$(c)$ If you compare the gravitational force on the earth due to the sun to that due to the moon,you would find that the Sun's pull is greater than the moon's pull. However,the tidal effect of the moon's pull is greater than the tidal effect of the sun. Why?

$A$ solid sphere of radius $R$ gravitationally attracts a particle of mass $m$ placed at a distance of $3R$ from its centre with a force $F_{1}$. Now,a spherical cavity of radius $\frac{R}{2}$ is made in the sphere (as shown in the figure) such that the cavity is tangent to the centre of the sphere and the outer surface. The force on the particle becomes $F_{2}$. The value of $F_{1} : F_{2}$ is:

$A$ binary star system consists of two stars $A$ (mass $M_A = 2.2 M_S$) and $B$ (mass $M_B = 11 M_S$),where $M_S$ is the mass of the Sun. They are separated by a distance $d$ and rotate about their common centre of mass,which is stationary. What is the ratio of the angular momentum of star $A$ to the angular momentum of star $B$ about the centre of mass?

Four identical particles of mass $M$ are located at the corners of a square of side $a$. What should be their speed if each of them revolves under the influence of the others' gravitational field in a circular orbit circumscribing the square?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo