Gravitational Field Flashcards
Gravitational Field strength
Force per unit mass
Use of low orbit
Take high quality photo of Earth (Weather, Military)
Geosynchronous orbit
Remains directly above equator
Is in Plane of equator
Orbits and same point above Earth’s surface
Moves west to east
Has orbital time of around 24 hours
(communication satellites)
Synchronous orbit
When an orbiting body has a time period equal to that of the body being orbited and in the same direction of rotation as that body. Can be in orbit at any point above earth’s surface
Explanation for escape velocity
1/2mv^2=GMm/r
All kinetic energy is converted to gravitational potential energy
Explanation for escape velocity
1/2mv^2=GMm/r
All kinetic energy is converted to gravitational potential energy
Total orbiting energy
Kinetic Energy + gravitational potential energy
Keplers Law
T^2 = r^3
Speed of a mass in orbit is derived by
gravitational force = centripetal force
v^2 = GM/r
Equipotential
Lines that have the same gravitational potential. No work done along lines, only in between
Work done on mass
change in W = mass x change in gravitational potential
Gravitational potential
Work done per unit mass in bringing a test mass from infinity to that point in the field. V=-GM/r
Newton’s Law of Graviton
The gravitational force between two point masses is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of their separation
Gravitational Field
A region of space where a mass experiences a force due to the gravitational attraction of another mass
Force Field
region in which a body experiences a non-contact force
