The Earth has a gravitational field that exerts a force on

objects both on it and around it

Mass vs. Weight

Mass is a constant. Mass refers to the amount of matter in an object

o (How heavy an object is)
Weight is the force on a mass due to the gravitational field

Physics

SPACE LESSON 1
TEACHER COPY

From newtons Second Law:

F=ma
F = Net force acting on a mass (N)
m = Mass of an object (kg)
a = Acceleration (ms-2)
Since Weight is a force, we can substitute F with W. Additionally, acceleration on a planet
is due to the planets gravity, so we can substitute a with g (gravitational constant). Thus:

F=ma

W =mg
W = Weight force (N)
m = mass of object (kg)
g = Acceleration due to gravity (ms-2)
Question: An astronaut has a weight of 687 Newtons on earth. He travels to a distant planet,
where his weight is now 4170 Newtons. The value of the gravitational field on the distant
planet is?

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Universal Law of Gravitation

Newtons Universal Law of Gravitation
Every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force which is
directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square
of the distance between them.
1. Gravitational fields is an area of influence where an object that is conducive to the
influence will experience a force, e.g. an object with mass will experience a force in a
gravitational field and a charge will experience a force in an electric field.
Universal law of gravitation

F g=

G m1 m2
r2

r=r p+ h
G = 6.67x10-11 N.kg.m-2
m1 = mass of object 1 (kg)
m2 = mass of object 2 (kg)
r = radius (m)
rp= radius of planet (m)
h = height above the planets surface

Deriving an expression for Gravitational Acceleration

W =mg

F g=

G m1 m2
r

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g=

G m1
r

Variation with geographical location

1. The Earths crust shows variations in thickness and structure due to factors such as
tectonic plate boundaries and dense mineral deposits
2. Earth is not a perfect sphere, but is flattened at the poles. This means that the value of
g will be greater at the poles, since they are closer to the centre of the Earth.
3. Spin of the Earth creates a centrifuge effect that reduces the effective value of g. The
effect is greatest at the equator and there is no effect at the poles.
o The value of gravity will also vary with altitude above Earths surface.

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Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy, Ep is the energy of a mass due to its position within a
gravitational field.
Definitions:

The stored energy in an object

The gravitational potential energy of a point in a gravitational field is defined as the
energy required moving a 1kg mass from infinite distance to a place in that field.
The work done to move an object from infinity to a point within a gravitational field.

E P=Work done move the point

E P=force required distance moved
Gravitational potential energy equation:

E P=mgh

M = mass of object (kg)

G = Earths gravitational acceleration (ms-2)
H = height above the earths surface (m)

This equation can only be used involving small distances. For larger distances, we must take
into accounting the diminishing force of gravity.
For large distances:

E P=

G m 1 m2
r

G = gravitational constant
m1 = mass of object 1 (kg)
m2 = mass of object 2 (kg)
r = radius (m)

Why is Gravitational Potential Energy Negative?

Gravitational potential energy only exists if there is gravity. Based on the universal law
of gravitation, there is no gravity when an object is outside of a gravitational field. I.e.
when r is infinity.
The gravitational potential energy of an object in a gravitational field is equal to the
work done to move the object from the reference to point x.
o As the object moves away from infinity and towards the planet, potential energy
is lost whilst kinetic energy is gained, therefore potential energy becomes
negative.

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Work Energy Theorem

E P+ EK =Constant
E P+ EK =0
Potential energy can be converted back into kinetic energy if the object is allowed to fall back
down to the ground.
There is a tradeoff and this is the work energy theorem.
Work
Work is defined as the amount of energy required to move an object.
In regards to potential energy, work is simply the change in potential energy when moving an
object between two points within a gravitational field

W = E p

W =E f Ei

W =G m1 m2

( r1 r1 )
2

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Questions:
1. What is the gravitational force between two 100kg masses space 1m apart?
a. 6.67x10 -11 x10 4 N attraction
b. 6.67x10-11 x104 N repulsion
c. 102x102 N attraction
d. 102x102 N repulsion
2. Which statement gives a correct description of a gravitational field?
a. A gravitational field exists wherever there is a force
b. A gravitational field exists wherever masses experience a force
c. A gravitational force exists in a region that is an inertial frame of reference
d. A gravitational field exists in a region that is a non-inertial frame of reference
3. In calculating GPE in relation to space travel we need to use the equation,

E P=

G m1 m2
, rather than
r

E P=mgh

This is because:
a. There is no gravity in space
b. There is no atmosphere in space
c. Gravitational field is not uniform
d. We need to include the Moons gravity
4. The radius of Earth is 6.38x106m. A satellite is in orbit at an altitude of 38 000km.
a. Calculate the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of a satellite of mass 1700kg
at this altitude.
Answer: -1.53x10 10J
b. Calculate the GPE of the satellite at the Earths surface
Answer: -1.0710 11J
c. Outline how you could use the values in parts a and b to calculate the energy
needed to life the satellite to this altitude
Answer: the difference between the values in a and b, the change in potential
energy equals the energy needed to life the satellite.

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