Two point masses are held in place a distance d apart. Another point mass M is midway between them. M is then displaced a small distance x perpendicular to the line connecting the two fixed masses and released.
a. Show that the magnitude of the net gravitational force on M due to the fixed masses is guven approximately by Fnet = 16GmM/d^3x if x ≪ d.
b. What would the period be if m = 100kg and d = 25.0cm?
c. Will M oscillate if it is displaced from the center a small distance x toward either of the fixed masses?.