"A" Level Physics

Gravitational Fields and Potential

1. Background:
This section of notes looks at the area and application of gravitational fields.
Students should look at similar ideas at electric and magnetic fields and
appreciate the many similarities and the few differences.

3.2.1

Gravitational Force

These arise between any two masses.

Unlike electrical forces the gravitational force is always attractive.
Its the force that keeps us fixed to the surface of the Earth, provides the Earth
with the centripetal force to keep it going around the Sun and is used by
engineers when looking at orbits of satellites etc.
Size of the Gravitational Force (Newton's law of Gravitation)
F

GM1M2
r2

M1 & M2 are point masses

G is the Universal Gravitational constant
(6.67 x 10-11 Nm2Kg-2)
-

r is the distance between the centres of the masses

All masses are considered to be point objects, ie all there mass appears to be
concentrated at one point.
The force between two masses obeys an inverse quare law.
Look for the similarity with Coulomb's law (electrostatics)
Read Hutching's 119 - 121 for a good introduction

TO DO Qs 9.1 and 9.2 Hutchings p 121.

3.2.2

Gravitational Fields and Gravitational Field Strength

The region around a mass in which another mass if placed would feel a gravitational force is
called a gravitational field.

Gravitational field strength at a point is the force per unit mass placed at that point in
the field

Gravitational Field Strength

g

F
m

units of g - N / Kg
note at the Earth's surface g is the same as the acceleration due to gravity (see below for
proof).
To find the force on an object in a gravitational field rearrange the equation F = mg
3.2.3

Proof that acceleration near the Earth's surface = g.

g

F
m

(anywhere)

mg

(rearrange equation)

But

ma

Hence

Hence acceleration due to gravity = gravitational field strength.

3.2.4

Specialised Fields.
2

There is only one specialised field strength equation (unlike electric fields) ie the gravitational
field strength due to a point mass. This can be used to calculate the gravitational field strength
at different distances from planets etc.
Gravitational Field Strength at a distance r from a point mass
g

Q:

GM
r2

Calculate g at the Earth's surface using the above equation (useful values; mass of
Earth 6.0 x 1024 Kg, radius 6.4 x 106m). You should of course already know the value
for the answer to this !)

NOTES.
g is proportional to 1/r 2 (an inverse square law) outside the Earth

Graph of g versus distance from Earths surface.

Area under the graph = work done per Kg (check this using units !)
3.2.5

Keplers 3rd Law.

For a planet or any satellite (natural or artificial) with a period T and average radius of orbit R
T2

R3

T2

k. R3

Students should be able to show that

T2

4R3
GM

Consider a mass m orbiting a planet of mass M. The gravitional force of attraction between
them provides the centripetal force that allows the small mass to move in a circle around the
planet.

3.2.5

Gravitational Potential

Introduction.
Consider a mass orbiting the Earth (this could be a satellite). There is a gravitational force
between this mass and the Earth. To remove the mass you would have to supply a force in the
opposite direction to move it, you would therefore have to do work on the mass. The closer the
mass is to the Earth the more work you would have to do.

Definition of Gravitational Potential

The Gravitational potential at a point is the work done in moving unit mass (1Kg) that
point in the field to infinity.
VG

W
m

Units J / Kg

Notes on Gravitational Potential

Units of J / Kg are important eg a potential of 50J/Kg means that you need 50J of energy for
every Kg to move that mass to infinity so for 3Kg you would need 150J etc.

3.2.6

Specialised Potentials Gravitational Potential due to a point mass.

Gravitational Potential at a distance r from a point mass

VG

-GM
r

The negative sign shows you that work needs to be done to move a mass out of the field.

eg:

Calculate the gravitational potential at the surface of the earth and at a distance twice
the radius of the Earth.
5

G = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2Kg-2

M of Earth = 6.0 x 1024 Kg
r of Earth = 6.4 x 106 m

3.2.7 Gravitational Potential Energy:

Is the work done in moving a mass from infinity to that point in the field.
Gravitational Potential
Energy

eg:

Gravitational Potential x Mass

How much energy is needed to move a mass of 10Kg from the Surface of the
Earth to a distance of 6.4 x 106 from the Earth ?
How fast would the mass be moving when it hits the Earth if it were released from
6.4 x 106m away from the Earth's surface ?

TO DO Hutchings p 126 Qs 9.4 - 9.6

3.2.8 Gravitational Field Strength and Potential Graphs.

(a)

Potential v Distance Graph

- Gradient of Potential v distance Graph = Field Strength

(b)

Field Strength v distance Graph

Area under the graph

=
=

work done per Kg (check this using units !)

change in gravitational potential between
the two points.

3.2.9 Applications of Field Theory

8

1.

Satellites.

There are two major types of satellite (a) circumpolar and (b) geostationary.
(a)

Circumpolar Satellites.

This type of satellite passes through the axis of the body which it is orbitting around. In the case
of the Earth the satellite will pass over both the N and S poles. As such it will passes over every
part of the Earth.
Uses: weather satellites, spy satellites etc.
(b)

Geostationnary Satellites.

This type of satellite orbits around the Earth at the same rate as the Earth spins. This means
that it will always be above the same point on the Earth. The rate at which it orbits the Earth is
of course 1 revolution per day (24h !). (Orbits at a much greater distance than the circumpolar)
Uses: communications satellites
2.

Escape Speed.

The escape speed of a body is the speed that it must be given at the surface of the body for it
to be able to escape from the gravitational filed without a further input of energy.

At this speed the KINETIC ENERGY of the object is just EQUAL to the GRAVITATIONAL
POTENTIAL ENERGY that it has in the gravitational field.
Consider a mass m being given a speed v at the surface of a planet of mass M so that it just
escapes the gravitational attraction of the planet.
e.g. show that escape speed = (2GM/R)