[4.] Two point masses m and 10 m lie along the x-axis, with m at the origin and 10 m at x = L. A third point mass M is moved along the x-axis. (a) At what point is the net gravitational force on M due to the other two masses equal to zero? (b) Sketch the x-component of the net force on M due to m and 10m taking quantities to the right as positive. Include the regions x < 0; 0 < x < L, and x > L. Be especially careful to show the behavior of the graph on either side of x = 0 and x = L.
[4.] Two point masses m and 10 m lie along the x-axis, with m at the origin and 10 m at x = L. A third point mass M is moved along the x-axis. (a) At what point is the net gravitational force on M due to the other two masses equal to zero? (b) Sketch the x-component of the net force on M due to m and 10m taking quantities to the right as positive. Include the regions x < 0; 0 < x < L, and x > L. Be especially careful to show the behavior of the graph on either side of x = 0 and x = L.
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
Related questions
Topic Video
Question
![### Problem Statement
**4.** Two point masses \( m \) and \( 10m \) lie along the x-axis, with \( m \) at the origin and \( 10m \) at \( x = L \). A third point mass \( M \) is moved along the x-axis.
**(a)** At what point is the net gravitational force on \( M \) due to the other two masses equal to zero?
**(b)** Sketch the x-component of the net force on \( M \) due to \( m \) and \( 10m \), taking quantities to the right as positive. Include the regions \( x < 0 \); \( 0 < x < L \), and \( x > L \). Be especially careful to show the behavior of the graph on either side of \( x = 0 \) and \( x = L \).
---
### Explanation and Solution
The problem involves understanding the gravitational forces between three masses aligned on the x-axis and determining where the forces balance each other out.
#### Part (a) - Equilibrium Point
To find the point where the net gravitational force on \( M \) due to \( m \) and \( 10m \) is zero:
1. **Gravitational Force**
- The gravitational force \( F \) between two masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) separated by a distance \( r \) is given by:
\[
F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}
\]
where \( G \) is the gravitational constant.
2. **Setup the Forces**
- Let the distance from \( m \) at the origin to \( M \) be \( x \).
- The distance from \( 10m \) at \( x = L \) to \( M \) is \( L - x \).
3. **Equating Forces**
- The force on \( M \) due to \( m \) at the origin is:
\[
F_{m \to M} = G \frac{m M}{x^2}
\]
- The force on \( M \) due to \( 10m \) at \( x = L \) is:
\[
F_{10m \to M} = G \frac{10m M}{(L - x](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fba4cba5c-1d49-41b8-aac4-ce3ae0c647d3%2Fb8a635a2-6e0f-45d1-bd58-2ffea6fe39ae%2Fh34rrc5_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem Statement
**4.** Two point masses \( m \) and \( 10m \) lie along the x-axis, with \( m \) at the origin and \( 10m \) at \( x = L \). A third point mass \( M \) is moved along the x-axis.
**(a)** At what point is the net gravitational force on \( M \) due to the other two masses equal to zero?
**(b)** Sketch the x-component of the net force on \( M \) due to \( m \) and \( 10m \), taking quantities to the right as positive. Include the regions \( x < 0 \); \( 0 < x < L \), and \( x > L \). Be especially careful to show the behavior of the graph on either side of \( x = 0 \) and \( x = L \).
---
### Explanation and Solution
The problem involves understanding the gravitational forces between three masses aligned on the x-axis and determining where the forces balance each other out.
#### Part (a) - Equilibrium Point
To find the point where the net gravitational force on \( M \) due to \( m \) and \( 10m \) is zero:
1. **Gravitational Force**
- The gravitational force \( F \) between two masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) separated by a distance \( r \) is given by:
\[
F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}
\]
where \( G \) is the gravitational constant.
2. **Setup the Forces**
- Let the distance from \( m \) at the origin to \( M \) be \( x \).
- The distance from \( 10m \) at \( x = L \) to \( M \) is \( L - x \).
3. **Equating Forces**
- The force on \( M \) due to \( m \) at the origin is:
\[
F_{m \to M} = G \frac{m M}{x^2}
\]
- The force on \( M \) due to \( 10m \) at \( x = L \) is:
\[
F_{10m \to M} = G \frac{10m M}{(L - x
Expert Solution
![](/static/compass_v2/shared-icons/check-mark.png)
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
This is a popular solution!
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps with 2 images
![Blurred answer](/static/compass_v2/solution-images/blurred-answer.jpg)
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you
![College Physics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305952300/9781305952300_smallCoverImage.gif)
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
![University Physics (14th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780133969290/9780133969290_smallCoverImage.gif)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
![Introduction To Quantum Mechanics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781107189638/9781107189638_smallCoverImage.jpg)
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
![College Physics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305952300/9781305952300_smallCoverImage.gif)
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
![University Physics (14th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780133969290/9780133969290_smallCoverImage.gif)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
![Introduction To Quantum Mechanics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781107189638/9781107189638_smallCoverImage.jpg)
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
![Physics for Scientists and Engineers](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781337553278/9781337553278_smallCoverImage.gif)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
![Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780321820464/9780321820464_smallCoverImage.gif)
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
![College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134609034/9780134609034_smallCoverImage.gif)
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON