Module 4 - Gravitation Section 3.4.2

3.4.2 Gravitation Section:

Multiple choice

Syllabus Extract

You should be able to:

Newton's law

Gravity as a universal attractive force acting between all matter.

Force between point masses

where G is the gravitational constant.

Remember that gravitational force is one of the four fundamental forces.

It is only an attractive force.

Acts between masses.

Concept of a force field as a region in which a body experiences a force.

Representation by gravitational field lines.

g as 'force per unit mass' defined by:

Magnitude of g in a radial field given by:

Understanding of the definition of gravitational potential, including zero value at infinity, and of gravitational potential difference.

Work done in moving mass m given by

Magnitude of V in a radial field given by:

Graphical representations of variations of g and V with r.

V related to g by:

Gravitational potential is energy...

Remember that measurements are from the centres of mass - strictly speaking the masses should be point masses.

Orbital period and speed related to radius of circular orbit.

Energy considerations for an orbiting satellite.

You do not need Kepler's Laws - but they are good for your soul...