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What is the gravitational field produced by a thin spherical shell of radius R at a point located at a distance r from its center?

1. The field is GM/r^2 when r is greater than R.
2. The field is GM/R^2 when r equals R.
3. The field is zero when r is less than R.
4. The field varies inversely with r^2 when r is less than R.

Correct answer: The field is zero when r is less than R.

Solution

Inside a thin spherical shell (r < R), the gravitational field is zero due to the symmetry of the shell and the cancellation of forces. This is a result of Gauss's law for gravitation.

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