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AL Physics Gravitation
AL Physics Gravitation
AL Physics
Gravitation
A story is sometimes told to the effect that Newton was led to his law of Universal
Gravitation by the thought that the centripetal force helding the moon in its orbit might
be the same gravitational force as pulls an apple to the ground but diminished in strength.
From (3), (4) we know that the gravitational force acting on a body by the earth is
inversely proportional to its distance from the earth’s centre.
a) It states that each particle in the universe attracts evergy other particle with a force
which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of their distance apart.
2
F m1m2 / r G = universal gravitational constant
-11 2 -2
= 6.7 x 10 Nm kg
b) To extend the application of this law from particles to bodies of real size and real
shape. Newton showed that " The gravitational attraction between two spherically
symmetrical bodies is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between their centries. "
2
F = Gm1m2/r
2
F = GMm’/r ( Gravitational law ) M = gravitational mass of the earth
r = radius of the earth
F = mg ( Newton’s law ) m’ = gravitational mass of A
m = inertial mass of A
Note :
i) In general cases,
2
F = GMm/r
ii) If m takes a circular motion about M, then the gravitational force will contribute the
required centripetal force.
2 2
mg = GMm/r = mv /r ( use this equation when v = constant )
2
= mrw ( use this equation when w = constant )
-2
g = 10 ms on earth’s surface
6
Re = radius of earth = 6.4 x 10 m
rm = distance of moon from earth’s centre
8
= 3.8 x 10 m
- In the motion under gravity, g is treated as the acceleration due to gravity. And
-2
g = 9.8ms approximately.
- Since in such case, the body is near earth's surface and hence g may be
-2
considered as a constant with value 9.8 ms
- In gravitational field, g is the gravitational dield strength. It is equal to the
gravitational force acting on a unit mass.
G = F/m
= 9.8 N/kg ( earth’s gravitational field strength on earth’s
surface )
P.4
2
g = GM/r
Consider g' the acceleration due to gravity at a distance 'a' from the centre of the earth. r
is the radius of the earth and g is the acceleration due to gravity on earth's surface.
i) at the equator
w = constant
v changes with
radius of the circle
iii) at latitude
9. Gravitational field
a) Introduction
- Gravitational field is a region where any object which has mass will experience a force (
i.e. gravitational force ).
- The gravitational field can be produced by a large mass. ( e.g. a planet )
- The lines of force of the gravitational field produced by spherical planet M always
points towards its centre.
- The gravitational field strength (g) is defined as the gravitational force acting on unit
mass.
g=F/m ( Unit : N/kg )
Note: U()=0
i.e. the potential energy at infinity is chosen to be zero.
U ( ) = maximum P.E. = 0
U ( r ) = - GMm/r
Example
5
rB = 2 x 10 m
5
rA = 1 x 10 m
16
M = 2 x 10 kg
3
m = 1 x 10 kg
-11 2 -2
G = 6.7 x 10 Nm kg
ii) Given that the mass m is a rocket and no combustion of fuel occurs when it moves
from A to B, find
a) the speed of the rocket at position B, and
b) its maximum distance away from the planet M if its speed at A is 4 m/s
iii) If the engine of the rocket supplies 3000J to it when it moves from A to B, find the
speed of the rocket at position B if its speed at A is 10 m/s.
Note:
1. The P.E. in the above case are considered under the condition that : " P.E. = 0 at infinite
distance. "
2. The equation P.E. = mgh ( always used for motion under gravity ) is considered under
the condition that : " P.E. = 0 at earth's surface and g = constant "
Example
If we choose P.E. = 0 at earth surface ( i.e. position B ), the P.E. at A will be mgh.
P.8
- Since V( r ) = - GM /r
The potential V(r) is the same at the spherical
surface which has a radius r from M.
- Equipotential lines/ surfaces are regions in which all the points have the same potential
- Equipotential lines are always perpendicular to the (field) lines of force.
Explanation:
Since A & B have the same potential
=> There is no work done when an object is moved from A to B.
=> Force is perpendicular to the displacement
=> Lines of force is perpendicular equipotential lines
Example The figure shows a region near the surface of the earth.
24
M = 6 x 10 kg
-11 2 -2
G = 6.7 x 10 Nm kg
b) What is the change of gravitational P.E. of a space capsule of mass 1500 kg when it
moves from A to B?
Note : Actually, when consider both the direction and magnitude, we have:
Example The figure shows part of the gravitational field near earth's surface. On this
scale the field strength g is approximately uniform. ( g = 9.8 N/kg )
- A body of mass m leaves the earth with speed v and just escapes from its gravitational
field. (i.e. can move from re to infinity )
( v = escaping speed )
If there is continuous supply of energy, rocket can leaves the earth even if
i) Find the escaping speed of a rocket which lies on the earth’s surface.
ii) If the speed of the rocket has a value doubled the escaping speed, find its speed
when it is far away from the earth.
2
K.E. of satellite = 1/2 mv .
Question : Is there anything wrong with the total energy which has a negative value ?
Since
hence, the total energy is increased. Extra energy is required in this case which should be
supplied by the combustion of fuel.
Example: Plot the graph of satellite energy (P.E. : K.E. & Et ) against r ( distance
from planet's centre ).
a) Parking orbit
If the period of a satellite in revolving the earth is equal to the period of earth's rotation.
The satellite is said to be moving in a parking orbit. Such satellite is called synchronous
satellite and remains in the same position above the earth, apparently satationary. They
make continuous, world-wide communications ( e.g. TV programmes ) possible.
b) Calculation
P.12
17. Weightless
- An astronaut orbiting the earth in a space vehicle with its rocket motors off is said to be
weightless
- 'Weightless' is only the sensation of unsupported. It is because the astronaut with
constant speed along the orbit implies he has a centripetal acceleration and this value is
the same as that of the spaceship which is equal to g ( at that height ).
- Therefore, the walls of the space vehicle exert no force on him. Hence, he feels
weightless.
1. Each planet moves in an ellipse which has the sun at one focus.
2. The line joining the sun to the moving planet sweeps out equal areas in equal time.
3. The squares of the times of revolution of the planets about the sun are proportional to
the cubes of their mean orbit distance r from it.
3 2
i.e. r /T = constant
- The elliptical orbit is due to the effect of other planets moving round the sun.