Question: Gauss's Law for Gravitation The gravitational force between two point masses separated by a distance r is proportional to l/r2, just like the electric force

Gauss's Law for Gravitation The gravitational force between two point masses separated by a distance r is proportional to l/r2, just like the electric force between two point charges. Because of this similarity between gravitational and electric interactions, there is also a Gauss's law for gravitation.
(a) Let g be the acceleration due to gravity caused by a point mass m at the origin, so that g = - (Gm/r2) r. Consider a spherical Gaussian surface with radius r centered on this point mass, and show that the flux of g through this surface is given by
(b) By following the same logical steps used in Section 22.3 to obtain Gauss's law for the electric field, show that the flux of g through any closed surface is given by where Mencl is the total mass enclosed within the closed surface.


di = -47GM -4GMenel

di = -47GM -4GMenel

Step by Step Solution

3.41 Rating (167 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

IDENTIFY Follow the steps specified in the problem SET UP In spherical polar coordinates d r si... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Document Format (1 attachment)

Word file Icon

60-P-E-G-L (131).docx

120 KBs Word File

Students Have Also Explored These Related Electricity and Magnetism Questions!