The drawing below shows three particles far away from any ot

The drawing below shows three particles far away from any other objects and located on a straight line.

The masses of these particles are mA = 362 kg, mB = 507 kg, and mC = 158 kg. d1 = 0.598 m and d2 = 0.299 m. Calculate the magnitude of the net gravitational force acting on particle A.

Solution

The net gravitational force is the sum of two forces: due to particle B and due to particle C. Both forces have positive direction.

Fa = Fab + Fbc

gravitational force = Gm1m2/r^2

Fab = 6.67*10^-11*362*507/(0.598^2) = 3.423*10^-5 N

Fac = 6.67*10^-11*362*158/(0.598 + 0.299)^2 = 4.741*10^-6 N = 0.4741*10^-5 N

Fa = (3.423 + 0.4741)*10^-5 N = 3.8971*10^-5 N