Relative acceleration of two identical particles – Rankers Physics
Topic: Gravitation
Subtopic: Newton's Law of Gravitation

Relative acceleration of two identical particles

Two identical particles of combined mass \(M\), placed in space with certain separation, are released. Interaction between the particles is only of gravitational in nature and there is no external force present. Acceleration of one particle with respect to the other when separation between them is \(R\), has a magnitude :
\(\frac{GM}{2R^2}\)
\(\frac{GM}{R^2}\)
\(\frac{2GM}{R^2}\)
not possible to calculate due to lack of information

Solution:

Each particle has mass \(m = M/2\). The force is \(F = \frac{G m^2}{R^2} = \frac{GM^2}{4R^2}\). Acceleration of each is \(a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{GM}{2R^2}\). Relative acceleration is \(a_{\text{rel}} = 2a = \frac{GM}{R^2}\).

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