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Gravitational Fields Question AQA PHYSICS A LEVEL

Hi, i need help with the following question:

'Two stars of mass M and 4M are at a distance d between their centres. The resultant gravitational field strength is zero along the line between their centres at a distance y from the centre of mass M. What is the value of the ratio y/d?

A: 1/2
B: 1/3
C: 2/3
D: 3/4'

i understand the method behind the answer (finding two equations for g and equating them), however i don't understand why the the common point used for the equations of g is d-y away from the 4M star, i thought it would be d+y ?
(edited 6 years ago)
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Amefish
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Original post by ithinkitslily
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Hi! I'm sorry you've not had any replies, I'll move your thread over to the Physics forum so you can hopefully get more responses. For future reference, here's the subject forum directory :h:
Original post by ithinkitslily
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https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2708597
this should help you
As for your question about d and y, I hope this image helps...

IMG_20171005_184500.jpg
Original post by jkedwards
As for your question about d and y, I hope this image helps...

IMG_20171005_184500.jpg


omfg this whole time i interpreted the y to be a vertical distance :facepalm:i'm actually an idiot lol
thank you !
1/3

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