7.1.1 Newton's Law of Gravitation Flashcards
Newton’s Law of Gravitation
- Newton’s law of gravitation is the general formula for the force of gravity between two objects: .
- The force of gravity attracts objects toward one another with equal and opposite force.
- The force of gravity decreases rapidly with distance.
- Gravity superposes.
At which of the following distances from the Earth will a spacecraft be beyond the reach of the Earth’s gravitational force?
The spacecraft will never be beyond the reach of the Earth’s gravitational pull.
For which of the following situations can the equation F = mg not be used to calculate the force due to gravity?
The pull of the Earth’s gravity on the Moon.
Consider two objects with unequal masses m1 and m2 that attract each other. Which of the following states why F = Gm1m2/d^2 upholds Newton’s third law?
The masses m1 and m2 can be exchanged symmetrically in the equation.
A comet is affected by a gravitational force due to the presence of the Earth. Later, the comet is ten times farther from the Earth. What is the size of the new gravitational force acting on the comet?
One hundredth as large as before.
A satellite is in space with the Earth and the Moon lined up as shown in this diagram. In this case, how is the gravitational force of the Moon on the satellite affected by the presence of the Earth?
The gravitational force of the Moon on the satellite is unaffected by the presence of the Earth.
If gravity is described as a “weak” force, which of the following states why a ton of bricks weighs so much?
The mass of the Earth is extremely large.
Is there a gravitational force between your body and this computer?
Yes, but it is too small to be noticed.
Two planets exert a gravitational pull on each other. If Planet A has three times more mass than Planet B, what is the pull on Planet B compared to the pull on Planet A ?
The pull on Planet A equals the pull on Planet B.
A gravitational force is exerted on a satellite from two different planets as shown in the diagram. Planet A has twice the mass of Planet B, but it is also two times farther from the satellite than Planet B. Which of the following diagrams shows the net force acting on the satellite?
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