Physics

Problem

Three identical point masses

m

are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side length

L

. What is the total gravitational potential energy of the three-mass system? a)

U=-\dfrac{Gm^{2}}{L}

U=+\dfrac{3Gm^{2}}{L}

U=-\dfrac{3Gm^{2}}{L}

U=-\dfrac{3Gm^{2}}{2L}