Gravitation Question 176
Question: Four particles each of mass M, are located at the vertices of a square with side L. The gravitational potential due to this at the centre of the square is[Kerala PET 2005]
Options:
A) $ [-\sqrt{32}\frac{GM}{L}] $
B) $ [-\sqrt{64}\frac{GM}{L^{2}}] $
C) Zero
D) $ [\sqrt{32}\frac{GM}{L}] $
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Potential at the centre due to single mass = $ [\frac{-GM}{L/\sqrt{2}}] $
Potentialat the centre due to all four masses = $ [-4\frac{GM}{L/\sqrt{2}}] $
$ [-4\sqrt{2}\frac{GM}{L}] $ $ [=-\sqrt{32}\times \frac{GM}{L}.] $
