Answer: the external agent must do work equal to -1.3 × 10⁻⁸ J
Explanation:
Given that;
Mass M1 = 7.0 kg
r = 3.0/2 m = 1.5 m
Mass M2 = 21 kg
we know that G = 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N.m²/kg²
work done by an external agent W = -2GM2M1 / r
so we substitute
W = (-2 × 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ × 21 × 7) / 1.5
W = -1.96098 × 10⁻⁸ / 1.5
W = -1.3 × 10⁻⁸ J
Therefore the external agent must do work equal to -1.3 × 10⁻⁸ J
