Gravitational Force Flashcards
Define ‘gravitational field strength’
Force per unit mass
State Newton’s law of universal gravitation
Gravitational force between two point masses is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of separation, F = (GMm)/r^2
State some features about geostationary/satellite orbit
Above the equator, west to east orbit, 24 hour period, fixed orbital radius
Gravitational field strength formula = ?
g = (GM)/r^2
Define ‘gravitational field’
A region where a mass will experience a force
Define ‘electric field’
A region where a stationary charge will experience a force
Define ‘magnetic field’
A region where a moving charge will experience a force
Define ‘electric field strength’
Force per unit positive charge
Define ‘line of gravitational force’
Direction of force on a small test mass
Define ‘gravitational potential at a point’
The work done per unit mass in bringing a mass from infinity to the point
Define ‘gravitational potential energy’
The work done in bringing the mass m from infinity to the point
Explain why gravitational potential near an isolated mass is typically negative
Gravitational force is negative, potential at infinity is zero, decrease in potential energy as masses approach
Gravitational potential energy formula = ?
GPE = -GMm/x = mΦ, x = distance between the location to the center of the planet
Gravitational potential formula = ?
Φ = -GM/x, x = distance between the location to the center of the planet
