A binary star system has two stars, each with the same mass M, that are separated by a distance of 2a. The two stars are not moving significantly in this problem (i.e. consider them fixed in space). A comet of mass m is initially in position 1, a distance d away from the midpoint (point 2) between the two stars, and moves straight towards point 2 with a speed $v_1$.
a = 4.00 \times 10^{12}m
d = 3.00 \times 10^{12}m
M = 2.00 \times 10^{30}kg
m = 1.00 \times 10^6kg
v_1 = 7.50 \times 10^3 m/s
a. At point 1, what is the gravitational force on the comet? Explain your work.
b. At point 2, what is the gravitational force on the comet? Explain your work.