Gravitational Fields

Question 1

Describe how a mass creates a gravitational field in the space around it

Answer 1

Because of Newton’s Law of Gravitation: Any 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 their separation

Question 2

Define gravitational field strength

Answer 2

Force per unit mass

Question 3

What is the equation for the force between two point or spherical objects?

Answer 3

F = - (GMm)/(r^2)

Question 4

What is the equation for the gravitational field strength of a point mass? This can also be used to work out the mass of the Earth or other similar objects

Answer 4

g = - (GM)/(r^2)

Question 5

Define orbital period

Answer 5

The time taken for an object to complete one orbit

Question 6

Define geostationary orbit of a satellite

Answer 6

A satellite that is
positioned so that, as it orbits, the Earth rotates below it at the same rate. The satellite remains above a fixed
point on the Earth’s surface