2. Gravitational Fields.md
2024-4-11|2024-4-12
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Gravitational Field
- Dictation/Definition: Define a gravitational field and describe how it can be represented. Answer:
- Graphical Representation: How are gravitational field lines used to represent the strength and direction of a gravitational field? Answer:
Gravitational Force between Point Masses
- Conceptual Understanding: Explain why, for a point outside a uniform sphere, the mass of the sphere may be considered to be at its center. Answer:
- Formula Recall: State Newton’s law of gravitation and explain each term. Answer:
- Application: Analyse circular orbits in gravitational fields by relating the gravitational force to the centripetal acceleration it causes. Answer:
- Understanding Orbits: Describe the characteristics of a geostationary orbit. Answer:
Gravitational Field of a Point Mass
- Derivation: Explain how the equation for the gravitational field strength due to a point mass, , is derived from Newton’s law of gravitation and the definition of a gravitational field. Answer:
- Application: Use the equation to calculate the gravitational field strength at a point 1000 km above the Earth’s surface. Assume the Earth’s mass () is kg and the radius of the Earth () is 6371 km. Answer:
- Conceptual Understanding: Explain why the gravitational field strength, , is approximately constant for small changes in height near the Earth’s surface. Answer:
Gravitational Potential
- Dictation/Definition: Define gravitational potential at a point and explain its significance. Answer:
- Formula Use: Use the equation to calculate the gravitational potential at the surface of the Earth. Assume the Earth’s mass () is kg and the radius of the Earth () is 6371 km. Answer:
- Understanding Gravitational Potential Energy: Explain how the concept of gravitational potential leads to the gravitational potential energy of two point masses and provide the formula for calculating it. Answer:
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