Two massive objects are fixed in position. A third object is placeddirectly between the first two at the position at which the totalgravitational force on the third object due to the two massiveobjects is zero. The object is displace slightly toward one of thetwo massive objects, the total gravitational force on the thirdobject is now:

A) in the opposite direction to the displacement of the object

B) in a direction which depends on which of the massive objects hasa greater mass.

C) zero

D) perpendicular to the displacement of the object

E) none of the choices above are correct

Question

Physics

Gracelyn Coleman

Today, 01:47

Two massive objects are fixed in position. A third object is placeddirectly between the first two at the position at which the totalgravitational force on the third object due to the two massiveobjects is zero. The object is displace slightly toward one of thetwo massive objects, the total gravitational force on the thirdobject is now:

A) in the opposite direction to the displacement of the object

B) in a direction which depends on which of the massive objects hasa greater mass.

C) zero

D) perpendicular to the displacement of the object

E) none of the choices above are correct

+2

Answers (1)

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Picasso · Answer 1

The correct option is B

Explanation:

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion varies with mass. Mass is that quantity that is dependent upon the inertia of an object. The more inertia that an object has, the more mass that it has. A more massive object has a greater tendency to resist changes in its state of motion. A common physics demonstration relies on this principle that the more massive the object, the more that object resist changes in its state of motion.