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University Physics I · Gravitation and orbital motion

Field of a thin spherical shell

Problem

Use an inertial frame with the stated origin and radial sign convention; use Newtonian gravity, point or spherical bodies as stated, and SI units. A thin uniform spherical shell has mass $M$ and radius $R$. State the gravitational field for $r<R$ and $r>R$, including direction, and explain the discontinuity at the surface using the shell theorem.

Hint

Split space into interior and exterior radial regions.

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