D.1 Gravitational fields SL

Question 1

Kepler’s First Law

Answer 1

Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus

Question 2

Kepler’s Second Law

Answer 2

A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time

Question 3

Kepler’s Third Law

Answer 3

The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.

Question 4

Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation Equation

Answer 4

F is the force between masses, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses, and r is the distance between their centers.

Question 5

Gravitational Constant G

Answer 5

a proportionality constant in the universal law of gravitation

Question 6

Gravitational Field

Answer 6

A region of space around a mass where another mass experiences a force of attraction

Question 7

Gravitational Field Lines

Answer 7

Imaginary lines that represent the direction of gravitational force; they point towards the center of the mass creating the field and never cross

Question 8

Gravitational Field Strength (g)

Answer 8

The force per unit mass experienced by a mass in a gravitational field

Question 9

Equation for Gravitational Field Strength near Earth

Answer 9

G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and r is the distance from the center of the Earth

Question 10

How does distance affect gravitational field strength?

Answer 10

The strength of a gravitational field weakens in proportion to the square of the increase in distance from the mass creating the field.