8.21 Two heavy spheres each of mass 100 kg and radius 0.10 m are placed 1.0 m apart on a horizontal table. What is the gravitational force and potential at the midpoint of the line joining the centers of the spheres? Is an object placed at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the equilibrium stable or unstable?
8.21 Two heavy spheres each of mass 100 kg and radius 0.10 m are placed 1.0 m apart on a horizontal table. What is the gravitational force and potential at the midpoint of the line joining the centers of the spheres? Is an object placed at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the equilibrium stable or unstable?

Mass of each sphere, M = 100 kg
Separation between the spheres, r = 1 m
X is the midpoint between the spheres.
Gravitational force at point x will be zero. This is because gravitational force exerted by each spheres will act in opposite directions.
Gravitational potential at point x:
= = 4 = = J/kg
Similar Questions for you
->R3 = (R + x)2 (R – x)
->R3 = (R2– x2) (R + x)
->x2 + Rx – R2 = 0
R is not correct.
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physics ncert solutions class 11th 2023
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