Gravitation definitions

Question 1

Newton’s law of gravitation

Answer 1

Two point masses attract each other with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them

Question 2

Gravitational field

Answer 2

A region of space in which a mass placed in that region experiences a gravitational force

Question 3

Gravitational field strength

Answer 3

Gravitational force experienced per unit mass at that point

Question 4

Gravitational potential energy

Answer 4

Work done by an external force in bringing the mass from infinity to that point

Question 5

Gravitational potential

Answer 5

The gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the work done per unit mass by an external force in bringing a small test mass from infinity to that point.

Question 6

Escape velocity

Answer 6

Minimum speed needed for the object to just escape from the gravitational influence of a massive body

Question 7

Kepler’s third law

Answer 7

The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of its average distance from the sun