Q 11-07-033NEETJEE MainMedium
Three particles, each of mass $m$, are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side $a$. The gravitational potential energy of the system is
Answer: (A) $-\dfrac{3Gm^2}{a}$
Concept. System PE is the sum over pairs.
Step 1. Pairs. Three pairs at distance $a$: $U = -\dfrac{3Gm^2}{a}$.
Answer. $-\dfrac{3Gm^2}{a}$ (Option A).
Solution by Sreeraj P, M.Sc Physics