Gravitation

Question 1

What is the equation for Newton’s Law of Gravitation?

Answer 1

Fg= GM1M2/R^2

Question 2

What is Newton’s Law of Gravitation also referred to as?

Answer 2

An inverse squared law; ie. If the radius is doubled, the force would be 1/4

Question 3

What is the acceleration of a mass near earth’s surface? (Me= earth’s mass, Re= earth’s radius)

Answer 3

a=GMe/Re^2

-9.8 m/s^2

Question 4

What is the acceleration due to gravity independent to?

Answer 4

The mass of a falling object

Question 5

What is the equation for gravitational potential energy? (Me= earth’s mass, Re= earth’s radius)

Answer 5

Pe=-GM1Me/Re

Question 6

What is the equation for escape velocity? (Me= earth’s mass, Re= earth’s radius)

Answer 6

Ke=Pe
1/2mv^2=-GM1Me/Re
v=sqrt(2GMe/Re)

Question 7

What is Escape Velocity?

Answer 7

The velocity of an object when it leaves earth’s surface

Question 8

What is Orbital Velocity?

Answer 8

The velocity of an object in circular orbit with earth

Question 9

What is the equation for orbital velocity? (Me= earth’s mass, Re= earth’s radius)

Answer 9

Fc=Pe
mv^2/R=-GM1Me/Re
v=sqrt(GMe/Re)

Question 10

What is both escape and orbital velocity dependent on?

Answer 10

The earth’s mass, not the mass of the object

Question 11

What is Newton’s Law of Gravitation?

Answer 11

There is always a force of attraction between any two masses and the magnitude of this force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them