Question

An object 1 of mass m1 is separated by some distance d from an object 2 of mass 2m1 . An object 3 of mass m3 is to be placed between them. If the potential energy of the three-object system is to be a maximum (closest to zero), should object 3 be placed closer to object 1, closer to object 2, or halfway between them?

Answer 1

If the potential energy of the three-object system is to be a maximum (closest to zero), should object 3 be placed closer to object 1, closer to object 2, or halfway between them?

If the potential energy of the three-object system is to be a maximum (closest to zero), should object 3 be placed closer to object 1, closer to object 2, or halfway between them?

 

Object 3 should be placed closer to object 1.

 

Object 3 should be placed on a halfway between object 2 and object 1.

 

Object 3 should be placed closer to object 2.

 

Solution

I think that Object 3 should be placed closer to object 2.