Question

A point mass $m$ is placed outside a hollow spherical shell of mass $M$ and uniform density at a distance $d$ from centre of the sphere as shown in figure. Gravitational force on point mass $m$ at $P$ is

• A. $\frac{G m M}{d^{2}}$
• B. zero
• C. $\frac{2 \operatorname{Gim} M}{d^{2}}$
• D. Data insufficient

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

For a point outside the spherical shell as shown below

According to Newton's gravitational law, gravitational force on point mass $m$ at $P$ is
$\left| F _{P}\right|=\frac{G m M}{d^{2}}$