An object in the shape of a thin ring has radius a and mass M. A uniform sphere with mass m and radius R is placed with its center at a distance x to the right of the center of the ring, along a line through the center of the ring, and perpendicular to its plane. What is the gravitational force that the sphere exerts on the ring-shaped object?
Express your answer in terms of the variables a, M, m, R, x, and appropriate constants.
F = 2GMmx/(x2+ R2)3/2

F = GMmx/[√(a² + x²)]³

Explanation:

The force dF on the mass element dm of the ring due to the sphere of mass, m at a distance L from the mass element is

dF = GmdM/L²

Since the ring is symmetrical, the vertical components of this force cancel out leaving the horizontal components to add.

So, the horizontal components add from two symmetrically opposite mass elements dM,

Thus, the horizontal component of the force is

dF' = dFcosФ where Ф is the angle between L and the x axis

dF' = GmdMcosФ/L²

L² = a² + x² where a = radius of ring and x = distance of axis of ring from sphere.

L = √(a² + x²)

cosФ = x/L

dF' = GmdMcosФ/L²

dF' = GmdMx/L³

dF' = GmdMx/[√(a² + x²)]³

Integrating both sides we have

∫dF' = ∫GmdMx/[√(a² + x²)]³

∫dF' = Gm∫dMx/[√(a² + x²)]³    ∫dM = M

F = GmMx/[√(a² + x²)]³  

F = GMmx/[√(a² + x²)]³

So, the force due to the sphere of mass m is

F = GMmx/[√(a² + x²)]³