Universal Gravitation Flashcards
If the radius of Earth decreased (with no change in mass) your weight would…?
Increase because gravity grows stronger as distance decreases
Why did Newton think there was a force acting on the moon?
Because the moon always moved in a curved path (not linear)
Compared to the current gravitational field on the surface of Earth, the gravitational field well below Earth’s surface is…?
Smaller
What is most significant about the weakness of gravity?
Easily identified gravitational forces must involve one or more large masses
During circular motion, the net force on the object is directed towards…?
The center of the curve
Tangential Velocity
The “sideways” velocity of an object that is perpendicular to the pull of gravity
What type of relationship do force, mass, and distance share?
A square inverse relationship
What is the value of G on Earth?
6.67 x 10^-11 N x m^2/kg^2
Period
The time interval in which an object takes to go around its circular path one time
Frequency
The number of revolutions (periods) per second. Measured in Hz or s^-1
Centrifugal Force/Acceleration
An apparent force that acts outward on a body moving around a center, often due to inertia
Apparent Weight
The sum of net forces that make you feel either heavier/lighter in different circumstances
At the bottom of a dip in circular motion, your apparent weight will be…?
Greater
At the top of a crest in circular motion, your apparent weight will be…?
Less
Critical Speed
The slowest speed at which a vehicle can complete a circular path/curve
Orbit
When a projectile is launched with enough force that it never travels all the way back to the ground and stays in a constant free-fall, traveling around Earth
What is the value of g dependent on?
The radius and mass of said planet
Mass
The measure of inertia that each object possesses no matter where it is located, hence making mass a property of objects
Weight
The force exerted on an object due to gravity (most often downwards as expressed as Fmg in free-body diagrams)
The attraction between different objects/masses is…?
Proportional, every object exerts an equal force on one another that is equivalent to the mass of each object
Is the speed of circular motion constant?
Yes
Is the velocity of circular motion constant?
No, because the direction of travel is constantly changing
What is the weight of an astronaut in an orbiting space shuttle?
The astronaut’s apparent weight would be zero because they are in free-fall
