CAMBRIDGE A LEVEL PHYSICS

GRAVITATIONAL FIELD

LEARNING OUTCOMES
NUMBER i LEARNING OUTCOME Understand the concept of gravitational forces based on Newtons Law of Gravitation What are gravitational fields and how they are related to gravitational forces? Understand the relationship between weight and gravitational force What is gravitational potential and what is its relationship with GPE? Understand the role of gravitational forces in satellite motion. What are geostationary orbits?

ii iii iv v vi

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F O R C E S
An object with mass is capable of exerting an attractive force on another object that has mass. This attractive force is known as the gravitational force, . The magnitude of is proportional to the masses of both objects, and and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centres of gravity of both objects, .

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F O R C E S
Definition: Newtons Law of Gravitation states that two point masses attract each other with a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their separation.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F O R C E S

6.67 10

Image: http://wikipremed.com/01physicscards600/224a.gif

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F O R C E S
Gravitational forces are always directed towards the centre of gravity of the object that does the pulling. is the Universal Gravitational Constant. = distance between both centres of gravity.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F I E L D S
The gravitational field around an object is the field of the gravitational force. In other words, any object that has a mass has a gravitational field around it. For example, on slide 4, the object experiences because it is in s gravitational field.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F I E L D S
Definition: The gravitational field strength ,g, at a point is the force acting on per unit of mass acting on a small mass that is placed at that point. Units of g is
Image: http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age1619/Mechanics/Gravitation/text/Gravitational_potential_gradient/index.html

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F I E L D S
Hence,
.

Image: http://www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age1 619/Mechanics/Gravitation/text/Gravit ational_potential_gradient/index.html

based on the situation in slide 4. also gives the value of the gravitational force on m2 if m2 = 1 kg.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F I E L D S
We can calculate 9.81 using the and . This means that the Earth will exert a gravitational force of 9.81 N on every 1 kg of mass on its surface. Since r does not change by much as we go up in altitude, we can safely take 9.81 close to Earths surface.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L F I E L D S
In a situation of free fall without air resistance, the only force acting on an object is the gravitational force. Therefore, the objects free fall acceleration has the same value as the gravitational field strength, but with different units.

WEIGHT AND G R AV I TAT I O N A L F O R C E

The weight we experience on Earths surface is due to the effect of Earths gravitational field exerting a gravitational force on us. Our weight is therefore the gravitational force that the Earth exerts on us.

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2008, Paper 4, question 1.

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2008, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2008, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2008, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2008, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
May/Jun 2011, Paper 41, question 1.

EXAMPLES
May/Jun 2011, Paper 41, question 1 (contd).

G R AV I TAT I O N A L P O T E N T I A L ENERGY
Recall the equation for gravitational potential energy (GPE) . We can to calculate by using

What happens when ? At points infinitely far away from the centre of Earth, , hence the gravitational potential energy (GPE) = 0 at these points.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L P O T E N T I A L ENERGY
We now have a new reference level to set GPE = 0. As we get nearer to the centre of mass , GPE decreases, or GPE becomes more negative. The work done in moving an object initially at an infinite distance to any point in the radial direction in a gravitational field is equal to the decrease in GPE of the object, or , where radial distance travelled.

G R AV I TAT I O N A L P O T E N T I A L
The gravitational potential at a point, , in a gravitational field, is defined as the work done in bringing an unit mass from infinity to that point. Mathematically,

EXAMPLES
May/Jun 2009, Paper 4, question 1.

EXAMPLES
May/Jun 2009, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
May/Jun 2009, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
May/Jun 2009, Paper 4, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2011, Paper 43, question 1.

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2011, Paper 43, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2011, Paper 43, question 1 (contd).

HOMEWORK
1. Oct/Nov 2009, Paper 42, question 1. 2. May/June 2010, Paper 42, question 1. 3. Oct/Nov 2010, Paper 41, question 1.

S AT E L L I T E M OT I O N
Satellites are objects that orbit a larger mass. Satellites have an elliptical orbit, but to simplify discussion, we assume circular orbits. Satellites have uniform orbital periods, T. An example of a satellite system is the Earth Moon binary system, where the Moon orbits the Earth with an orbital period of 27.8 days.

S AT E L L I T E M OT I O N

Centre of larger mass M

Image: http://img.brothersoft.com/screenshots/softimage/s/satellite_orbit_problems68298-1.jpeg

S AT E L L I T E M OT I O N
The centripetal force, (the resultant radial force) of the satellite is provided by the gravitational force that the larger mass exerts on the satellite.
Mathematically,

We can use the equations above to obtain quantities like T and r.

G E O S TAT I O N A R Y O R B I T S
A geostationary orbit is a circular orbit 35,786 kilometres above the Earth's equator and following the direction of the Earth's rotation. An object in such an orbit has an orbital period equal to the Earth's rotational period, and thus appears motionless, at a fixed position in the sky, to ground observers.
Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary_orbit

G E O S TAT I O N A R Y O R B I T S
Satellites that have geostationary orbits have an orbital period of revolution equal to the period of rotation of the larger mass. For example, an artificial satellite, in geostationary orbit, orbiting the Earth will have an orbital period of 24.0 hours (equal to the orbital period of rotation of Earth).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2010, Paper 43, question 1.

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2010, Paper 43, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2010, Paper 43, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2010, Paper 43, question 1 (contd).

EXAMPLES
Oct/Nov 2010, Paper 43, question 1 (contd).

HOMEWORK
1. Oct/Nov 2009, Paper 41, question 1. 2. Oct/Nov 2011, Paper 41, question 1.