Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Gravitation: Problem Problem_12

In Fig. 13.17a, particle A is fixed in place at \(x = -0.20 \text{ m}\) on the x axis and particle B, with a mass of \(1.0 \text{ kg}\), is fixed in place at the origin. Particle C (not shown) can be moved along the x axis, between particle B and \(x = \infty\). Figure 13.17b shows the x component \(F_{\text{net},x}\) of the net gravitational force on particle B due to particles A and C, as a function of position \(x\) of particle C. The plot actually extends to the right, approaching an asymptote of \(-4.17 \times 10^{-10} \text{ N}\) as \(x \rightarrow \infty\). What are the masses of (a) particle A and (b) particle C?