gravitational fields Flashcards
equipotential
line or surface along which the electric or gravitational potential is constant
escape velocity
the minimum velocity a object must be given to escape from the surface of the planet when projected vertically from the surface
geostationary satellite
a satellite that stays above the same point on the Earth’s equators as it orbits the earth. Its period is exactly 24 hours and orbits in the same plane as the Earths equator, and orbits in the same direction as the Earth’s rotation.
gravitational field
the region surrounding an object in which it exerts a gravitational force on any other object.
gravitational field strength
the force per unit mass on a small mass placed at a point in the field
gravitational force
an attractive force that acts equally on 2 objects due to their mass.
gravitational potential
at a point in a gravitational field, is the work done per unit mass to move a small object from infinity to tat point.
gravitational potential energy
at a point in a gravitational field is the work done to move a small object from infinity to that point.
Kepler’s 3rd law
for any planet,the cube of its mean radius is proportional to the square of its time period
newtons law of gravitation
the gravitational force between two point masses is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
potential energy
the energy an object has due to its position
potential gradient
at a point in a field is the change of potential per unit change of distance along that field at any point
potential gradient = -field strength
radial field
a field in which the lines are straight an converge or diverge as of from a single point
uniform field
a region where the field strength is the same in magnitude and direction at every point in the field.
