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

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

Correct answer: -GM/a

Solution

The gravitational potential due to a spherical shell at any point inside it is constant and equal to the potential at its surface. The potential at the surface is given by -GM/a, where M is the mass of the shell and a is its radius. Hence, the potential at a/2 is also -GM/a.

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