#AP Physics 1: Gravitation - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future physicist! Let's make sure you're totally prepped for the AP Physics 1 exam. We're going to break down gravitation step-by-step, making it super clear and easy to remember. Let's get started!

#Gravitational Interactions Between Objects

#Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

• What it is: The force of attraction between any two objects with mass. 🪐
• Key Idea: The force is directly proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
• Formula: $$F = G \frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$$, where:
  • $F$ is the gravitational force
  • $G$ is the gravitational constant
  • $m_1$ and $m_2$ are the masses of the two objects
  • $r$ is the distance between the centers of the masses

• Important Note: This force applies to all objects with mass, from atoms to planets!

#Gravitational Field Model

• What it is: A way to visualize how gravity affects objects in space.
• Key Idea: It predicts how objects move under gravity’s influence without direct contact.
• Field Strength (g): The gravitational force per unit mass. $g = \frac{F_g}{m}$
• Relationship: The acceleration due to gravity (in m/s²) is numerically equal to the gravitational field strength (in N/kg) at that location.

• Formula: $F_g = mg$, where:
  • $F_g$ is the gravitational force (weight)
  • $m$ is the mass of the object
  • $g$ is the gravitational field strength

#Weight as Gravitational Force

• What it is: The gravitational force exerted on an object by a celestial body (like Earth or the Moon). 🏋️
• Formula: Weight = $F_g = mg$ (same as above!)
• Key Idea: Weight is directly proportional to mass. Double the mass, double the weight (assuming constant g).

#Constant Gravitational Force

#Near-Earth Gravity <a id="near_earth_...