[07] Gravitation Flashcards
What does the study of gravitation involve?
- Gravitational field and potential
- Orbits
- Gravitational waves
- Black holes
What is a gravitational field?
The region around a mass in which another mass experiences a force of attraction.
Can you define gravitational potential?
It is the work done per unit mass in bringing a mass from infinity to that point in the field.
What are orbits in the context of gravitation?
They are paths that objects in space move along under the influence of gravity.
What are gravitational waves?
They are ripples in the curvature of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects.
Can you define a black hole in the context of gravitation?
It is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.
Which force is primarily responsible for orbits?
Gravity
How are gravitational waves detected?
Using instruments like the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
What is the key characteristic of a black hole?
It has a strong gravitational pull that nothing can escape from, not even light.
How is the gravitational field strength calculated?
By using the equation: g = G * (M / r^2), where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the object creating the field, and r is the distance from the center of mass.
What is the relationship between gravitational potential and distance from a mass?
The gravitational potential decreases as the distance from the mass increases.
How does mass affect gravitational attraction?
More massive objects have a stronger gravitational attraction.
How does distance affect gravitational attraction?
Gravitational attraction decreases as the distance between objects increases.
How do gravitational waves affect spacetime?
They cause spacetime to stretch and compress.
What creates gravitational waves?
They are created by the acceleration of massive objects.
