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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?

1. 2*G*m²/R²
2. G*m²/R²
3. G*m²/(2R)
4. 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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