All Flashcards
Label the diagram of Gravitational Field Lines.
Lines point towards the center of mass, density indicates field strength.
Label the diagram of a Satellite Orbiting a Planet.
Planet (M), Satellite (m), Orbital Radius (r), Gravitational Force (F).
Steps to derive the gravitational field equation.
- (Gravitational Force), 2. (Newton's Second Law), 3. (Equate forces), 4. (Solve for acceleration), 5. (Replace with , with ).
Steps to calculate gravitational force between two objects.
- Identify the masses and . 2. Measure the distance between their centers. 3. Use the formula with .
Steps to find 'g' on a planet's surface.
- Identify the planet's mass and radius . 2. Use the formula with .
Steps to determine orbital speed of a satellite.
- Equate gravitational force to centripetal force: . 2. Solve for : where is the orbital radius.
Steps to solve free fall problems.
- Identify initial conditions (velocity, height). 2. Use kinematic equations with . 3. Solve for unknowns (time, final velocity, distance).
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.