Gravitational Potential Inside Spherical Shells
Two concentric uniform spherical shells have the same density ρ. The inner shell has radius R₁ (i.e. fills 0 ≤ r’ ≤ R₁) and the outer shell fills R₁ ≤ r’ ≤ R₂. A particle of mass m is placed at distance r from the center, where R₁ < r < R₂. What is the correct expression for the gravitational potential energy of the particle?
A
-(2πGmρ)(R₂² - r²/3)
B
-(4πGmρ/3)[(r² - R₁²) + (R₁³/r)]
C
-(Gmρπ/3)[2(r² - R₁²) + (R₂³/r)]
D
-(Gmρπ/3)[2(R₂² - R₁²) + (R₁³/r)]
Question Leaderboard
Not enough data yet to show leaderboard.
APFIVE