Analysis of the Earth and Environment Lecture 7: Gravity, The Solar system and Tides

Question 1

Describe Newtons laws of motion

Answer 1

Every object in a state of motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.

The relationship between an objects mass ,its acceleration and its applied force is:
F= M x A (force= mass x acceleration)

For any action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Question 2

Gravitation is universal, this means that the force is applied the same way on each object/mass.

Explain then why in normal circumstances objects of different masses fall at different rates?

Answer 2

Air resistance

Question 3

Define an orbiting object

Answer 3

Higher the velocity of orbiting object

An object with enough velocity to stay in circular object. Meaning that it has too little velocity to leave orbit, and too much velocity to crash into the object it is orbiting.

Larger/wider the orbit

Question 4

What is the equation for acceleration?

Answer 4

Acceleration = Change in velocity/ time taken

Measured in m/s²

Question 5

Define potential energy

Answer 5

Potential energy is energy is stored.
For example:
-Compressed spring (potential elastic energy)
-Coal, oil, gas ( potential chemical energy)
-Gravitational potential energy

Question 6

What is the equation for potential gravitational energy

Answer 6

Mgh

Mass x gravity(acceleration) x height

Question 7

How is energy measured

Answer 7

Joules

Question 8

Define kinetic energy

Answer 8

The energy of movement

Potential energy can into kinetic energy and vice versa

Question 9

What is the equation for kinetic energy

Answer 9

1/2 x mass x velocity²`

Question 10

Describe the relationship between kinetic and gravitational potential energy in elliptical orbits (e.g. orbits of comets)

Answer 10

The orbiting object has more gravitational potential energy when it is at the top of its orbit/furthest away point. The orbiting object has more kinetic energy when it is closer to the object it is orbiting.

Question 11

What are tides

Answer 11

Tides is the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on oceans.

Question 12

Define a spring tide

Answer 12

A spring tide is a tide with a particularly high high tide and a particularly low low tide.

Spring tides are caused when the moon and suns gravitational pull/tidal forces are acting together pulling the oceans in the same direction.

Question 13

Define a Neap tide

Answer 13

When the sun and moon’s gravitational tidal forces are acting against one another/in different directions.

Resulting in very low tides.