Question
The masses M in the two figures are identical. Which of the two systems has the smaller gravitational potential energy? Why?
✓
Answer
The first system has the outer most masses closer to each other than the second system. Hence the gravitational P.E. of the second system is lesser than that of the first system.
Need a full question paper?
Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.
Explore more
Similar questions
At what temperature will the root mean square velocity of helium molecules be half the root mean square velocity of hydrogen molecules at normal temperature and pressure?
Can the centre of mass of a body be at a point outside the body?
In the upper wire is made of steel and the lower of copper. The wires have equal cross-section. Find the ratio of the longitudinal strains developed in the two wires.
Explain your answers.
What is the amplitude of a point 0.375m away from one end?
What is the amplitude of a point 0.375m away from one end?
Explain why cooking is faster in a pressure cooker.
A cylinder rolls on a horizontal plane surface. If the speed of the centre is 25m/s, what is the speed of the highest point?
A gas is filled in a cylinder fitted with a piston at a definite temperature and pressure. Why the pressure of the gas decreases when the piston is pulled out?
A constant torque is acting on a wheel. If starting from rest, the wheel makes n rotations in t seconds, show that the angular acceleration is given by $\alpha=\frac{4\pi\text{n}}{\text{t}^2}\text{rad}{\text{ s}}^{-2}$
→Answer the following: An astronaut inside a small space ship orbiting around the earth cannot detect gravity. If the space station orbiting around the earth has a large size, can he hope to detect gravity?
A sphere starts rolling down an incline of inclination $\theta.$ Find the speed of its centre when it has covered a distance l.
→