A thin spherical shell of mass M and radius R encloses a point mass m/2 placed inside it at a distance R/2 from the centre. What is the gravitational force the shell exerts on this point mass?

2*G*m²/R²
G*m²/R²
G*m²/(2R)
zero

Correct answer: zero

Solution

A uniform spherical shell produces no net gravitational field at any interior point, so any mass inside experiences zero force from the shell.

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