A particle of mass M is situated at the centre of a spherical shell of same mass and radius a. The magnitude of the gravitational potential at a point situated at a2 distance from the centre, will be :
- GMa
- 2GMa
- 3GMa
- 4GMa
Answer
(3) 3GMa
Solution
Potential due to the particle at distance a2: V1 = - GMa/2 = - 2GMa
Inside a spherical shell the potential is the same everywhere and equal to that at its surface: V2 = - GMa
V = V1 + V2 = - 3GMa
Magnitude = 3GMa
Answer: (3)