All Flashcards
Define Gravitational Force.
The force of attraction between any two objects with mass.
Define Free Fall.
When the only force acting on an object is gravity.
Define Gravitational Field.
A region of space where a mass experiences a gravitational force; a vector field.
What is 'g'?
Gravitational field strength (acceleration due to gravity).
Define Weight.
The gravitational force acting on an object.
What is ?
The universal gravitational constant ().
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.
Define Gravitational Force.
The force of attraction between any two objects with mass.
What is Free Fall?
When the only force acting on an object is gravity.
Define Gravitational Field.
A region of space where a mass experiences a gravitational force; a vector field with magnitude and direction.
What is 'g'?
Gravitational field strength or acceleration due to gravity.
Define Weight.
The gravitational force acting on an object, given by .