- #1
GiantSheeps
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Homework Statement
PART 1: Objects with masses of 125 kg and 548 kg are separated by 0.385 m. A 63.5 kg mass is placed midway between them.
Find the magnitude of the net gravitational force exerted by the two larger masses on the 63.5 kg mass. The value of the universal gravitational constant is 6.672 × 10−11 N · m2 /kg2 . Answer in units of N.
PART 2: Leaving the distance between the 125 kg and the 548 kg masses fixed, at what distance from the 548 kg mass (other than infinitely remote ones) does the 63.5 kg mass experience a net force of zero? Answer in units of m.
Homework Equations
[/B]
F = Gmm/(d^2)
The Attempt at a Solution
So i got part 1 no problem, the answer is .00004836 N, but part 2 is a real tough one. For my first attempt, i set up the formula ( (548)(63.5)(6.67E-11)/x^2 ) + ( (125)(63.5)(6.672E-11)/(x+.385)^2 ) = 0
x being distance, and (x + .385) distance from smaller mass since it remains fixed
I got 0.8165837351598118 as an answer, but that was wrong.
Where did I go wrong? How can I solve this? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks!