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Grade 12th passMechanics

Three identical particles of mass m are present at the corner of equilateral triangle of side a ,than find out work done(gravitational potential energy) in increasing side of the triangle from a to 2a.

Profile image of Manisha Kumari
7 Years agoGrade 12th pass
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1 Answer

Profile image of Kapil Khare
7 Years ago
Initially each particle is at distance a from any other particle. So, initial potential energy U1 = [(-Gmm)/a] + [(-Gmm)/a] + [(-Gmm)/a] U1 = (-3Gmm)/aThen distance between any two particles is 2a. So, final potential energy U2 = [(-Gmm)/2a] + [(-Gmm)/2a] + [(-Gmm)/2a] U2 = (-3Gmm)/2aWork done in increasing the side of the triangle = (Initial gravitational potential energy) – (Final gravitational potential energy)