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A particle of mass M is situated at the centre of spherical shell of mass M and radius a. The magnitude of the gravitational potential at a point situated at a/2 distance from the centre, will be

1. 2GM/a
2. 3GM/a
3. 4GM/a
4. GM/a

Correct answer: 3GM/a

Solution

The gravitational potential due to the spherical shell at any point inside it is constant and equal to -GM/a. The potential due to the central particle at a distance a/2 is -2GM/a. Adding these gives the total potential as -3GM/a. The magnitude is 3GM/a.

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