All Flashcards
In a diagram of gravitational field lines, what does the direction of the lines indicate?
The direction of the gravitational force; field lines point towards the center of the mass creating the field.
In a diagram of gravitational field lines, what does the spacing of the lines indicate?
The strength of the gravitational field; closer lines indicate a stronger field.
A satellite is orbiting a planet. What force provides the centripetal force?
The gravitational force between the planet and the satellite.
If a planet has a greater mass, how would its gravitational field lines differ from a planet with less mass?
The planet with greater mass would have more dense and closely spaced gravitational field lines.
What is the shape of the gravitational field lines surrounding a spherical object?
Radially inward, converging towards the center of the sphere.
What is the effect of increasing the mass of a planet on the gravitational field strength at its surface?
It increases the gravitational field strength.
What is the effect of doubling the distance from the center of a planet on the gravitational field strength?
It quarters the gravitational field strength.
What causes objects to accelerate downwards in free fall?
The gravitational force.
What is the effect of gravitational force on a satellite orbiting a planet?
It provides the centripetal force needed for the satellite to stay in orbit.
What happens to the gravitational force if one of the masses is doubled?
The gravitational force doubles.
What is the effect of increasing the orbital radius of a satellite on its orbital speed?
It decreases the orbital speed.
Differentiate between gravitational force and gravitational field.
Gravitational Force: The force between two masses. Gravitational Field: A region where a mass experiences a force.
Compare mass and weight.
Mass: Amount of matter in an object (scalar). Weight: Gravitational force on an object (vector).
Compare gravitational constant (G) and gravitational acceleration (g).
G: Universal constant, . g: Acceleration due to gravity, approximately on Earth.