Respuesta :
The gravitational potential energy of the rod-sphere system is - (GMm) / L X ln[ (x+l)/x ]. The magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the sphere by the rod is - (GMm) / x(x+L) and the direction of the gravitational force exerted on the sphere by the rod is towards it.
(a) Let's have an imaginary view of the rod located at a given distance r from he the mass (m) of the sphere.
Then the equation for the potential energy as related to the small area of the of the rod can be computed as;
= dU = - (GMm)/ L X (dr/r)
where,
G = gravitational constant
Now, integrating this with the limits of x to (x + L), we get
= U = - (GMm) / L X ln[ (x+l)/x ]
(b) By using F = -dU/dt, the magnitude of the gravitational force can be determined as follows:
Here we have,
= F = - d {- (GMm) / L X ln[ (x+l)/x ]} / dt
= F = - (GMm) / x(x+L)
From above, the negative sign indicates an attractive force.
(c) As, the negative sign indicates an attractive force. Thus, the direction of the gravitational force exerted on the sphere by the rod is towards it.
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