7. Fields and Their Consequences Flashcards
What is the equation for the force between two masses?
F = (G m1 m2) / r^2
What is the equation for gravitational field strength?
g = F / m
What is the equation for the magnitude of gravitational field strength in a radial field?
𝘨 = GM/r²
What is the equation for gravitational potential?
V = - (G m) / r
What is Kepler’s 3rd Law?
T² ∝ R³
How is the escape velocity for gravitational fields calculated?
Vesc = sqrt(2 g R)
What is Vmax?
Largest gravitational potential energy per kg for a given body
The force felt in a force field is non-contact force, True or False?
True
Is force a vector or scalar quantity?
Vector
What are some similarities between electrostatic and gravitational forces?
● Inverse square force laws
● Potential concept
● Equipotential surfaces
● Use of field lines
What are some differences between
electrostatic and gravitational forces?
The gravitational forces from masses always attract, whilst charges may repel or attract.
What is gravity?
Gravity is the universal attractive force which acts between all matter.
What is G?
The universal gravitational constant.
Approx. 6.67x10¯¹¹ m³kg¯¹s¯²
What can field lines tell you about a field?
The direction of the field and the strength of the field depending on the density of the field lines.
What is 𝘨?
𝘨 is the force per unit area in a uniform field
In a radial field the magnitude of 𝘨 is the proportionality constant at that point between force and mass.
𝘨 = GM/r²
What is gravitational potential?
The potential energy per kilogram, at any point in the field. 0 potential is defined at infinity, hence at a point close to a mass the potential of an object would be negative.
What is the work done by moving a mass
in a field?
Mass x change in potential
ΔW = m ΔV
What is the gravitational potential difference?
Gravitational potential difference is the difference in the gravitational potentials of two points in a gravitational field.
What is an equipotential surface?
A surface in which every point on the surface has the same potential.
How much work is done when you move 1km in any direction on an equipotential?
No work is done when moving across equipotentials, as the potential at each point is the same.
Why is gravitational potential a negative value?
Work needs to be done to move an object from the inside the field to outside the field. Since outside the field’s potential is defined as 0 then the potential inside the field must be negative.
What equations could you use to find the speed of an orbiting satellite?
The satellite is in circular motion, so
we would use F = ma with F = GMm / r² rearranged
to a = v² / r = ω² / r. This can be solved to find the
speed (v), angular speed (ω), the radius of the orbit or using T = 2π / ω its time period.
Compare the PE and KE of a lower orbit to a higher one.
A lower orbit has less potential energy and more kinetic energy than a higher orbit.
What is the time period of a geosynchronous orbit?
Geosynchronous orbits have a period of one day.
What symbol represents the permittivity
of free space?
ε₀
When calculating the force between two particles, what can air can be treated as?
A vacuum
For a charged sphere the charge can be assumed to be at what part of the sphere?
The centre
Which is stronger? The gravitational force of subatomic particles or the electrostatic force.
The electrostatic force.
Electric field lines always go from _____
to _____.
Electric field lines always go from positive charge to
negative charge.