Find the magnitude and direction of the gravitational field at point D in the diagram below. Assume that points A, B, and C have the same mass and that each square represents 1m.

Question

Find the magnitude and direction of the gravitational field at point D in the diagram below. Assume that points A, B, and C have the same mass and that each square represents 1m.

Point A (0,3.5)

Point D (0,2)

Point B (-2,0)

Point C (2,0)

Answer 1

Seems like an easy one. The "x" components caused by points B and C cancel each other, the "y" components add up to 1/(2*2+2*2) * cos(pi/4) * 2 = 1 / (4 * sqrt(2)) directed down. And "y" only component caused by point A 4/9 directed up, which exceeds the force from A and B. The resulting force is diff of the 2 forces (above) multiplied by 1m and by G (gravitational constant).