The figure shows a system of four masses: m1 = 12.9 kg, m2 = 20.7 kg, m3 = 35.7 kg, and m4 = 54.5 kg. The center-to-center distance between any two adjacent masses is 15.7 cm. As shown, the base of the pyramid is in the xy-plane and the m2 = 20.7-kg mass is on the y-axis.
a) What is the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the m1 = 12.9-kg-mass?
b) What are the xyz-components of the net force?

Question

The figure shows a system of four masses: m1 = 12.9 kg, m2 = 20.7 kg, m3 = 35.7 kg, and m4 = 54.5 kg. The center-to-center distance between any two adjacent masses is 15.7 cm. As shown, the base of the pyramid is in the xy-plane and the m2 = 20.7-kg mass is on the y-axis. 
a) What is the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the m1 = 12.9-kg-mass?
b) What are the xyz-components of the net force?

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

To work out the gravitational force between any two masses:
$$\Large g = G\frac{{{m_1}{m_2}}}{{{r^2}}}$$
With G being the gravitational constant (equal to around 6.673*10^-11).