Rankers Physics
Topic: Gravitation
Subtopic: Newton's Law of Gravitation

If 100 kg mass is split into two parts and then separated by certain distance. then what ratio of masses so that gravitational force between them is maximum :
2/3
1/2
1
1/3

Solution:

The gravitational force between two masses \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) is given by Newton's law of gravitation:

\[
F = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}
\]

Let the total mass be \( M = 100 \, \text{kg} \), and split it into two parts: \( m_1 = x \) and \( m_2 = 100 - x \).

The gravitational force becomes:

\[
F = \frac{G x (100 - x)}{r^2}
\]

To maximize \( F \), we need to maximize \( x(100 - x) \), which is a quadratic function. The product \( x(100 - x) \) is maximized when \( x = 50 \).

Thus, the ratio of the two masses is:

\[
m_1 : m_2 = 50 : 50 = 1:1
\]

Therefore, the masses should be in a 1:1 ratio for the gravitational force to be maximum.

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