GRABSUM School Inc.

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Name: Grade level and section: 12 - STEM

Unit: 2 Subject: General Physics 1 Module: 9

MOTION OF HEAVENLY BODIES

Learning Competencies

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

 Use Newton’s law of gravitation to infer gravitational force, weight, and acceleration due to
gravity
 Discuss the physical significance of gravitational field
 Apply the concept of gravitational potential energy in physics problems
 Calculate quantities related to planetary or satellite motion

Overview

This module was designed and written with you in mind. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.

Introduction

Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe recorded accurate measurement of the motion of planets
around the sun. Johannes Kepler, after painstakingly analyzing and studying these measurements for
22 years, formulated his three laws of planetary motion.
On the other hand, it was said that Isaac Newton discovered the physical law that governs an
apple falling from the tree to the ground. He realized that the apple is attracted to Earth in the same way that
Earth is attracted to the apple. He added that this attraction between Earth and the apple must also hold true
for the planets, Earth’s moon, the sun, and for every object in the universe. With this idea, Newton formulated
the law of universal gravitation.

Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

Earth and other planets rotate in nearly circular orbits around the sun. Thus, the sun must be
exerting a centripetal force on the planets. Newton proposed that this force is just a part of a universal
attraction called gravitation. Gravitation happens between all bodies by virtue of their masses.
Newton’s law of universal gravitation states that every object in the universe attracts every other
object with a force proportional to the product of their masses, m 1 and m2, and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance r between them. In equation,

Where G is the universal gravitation constant equal to 6.674 x 10-11 N•m2/kg2.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the earth (m = 6 x 1024 kg) and a 70-kg
physics student if the student is standing at sea level, a distance of 6.4 x 106 m from earth's center.
SOLUTION:
The solution of the problem involves substituting known values of G (6.674 x 10-11 N m2/kg2), m1 (6 x 1024 kg),
m2 (70 kg) and d (6.4 x 106 m) into the universal gravitation equation and solving for Fgrav. The solution is as
follows:

General Physics 1 | Ms. Nezell C. Gamboa Page 1

 CHECKPOINT 1!!

Compare the gravitational force of attraction on a 1.0 kg object when it is at the

surface of the moon to the gravitational force on the same objects when it is at the
surface of Earth. (mass of the moon = 7.35 x10 22 kg; radius of the moon = 1.738 x10 6 m;
mass of Earth = 6 x1024 kg; radius of Earth = 6.4 x106 m)

Did you get the correct answer? If yes, CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve gain 3 stars!
You are now a WARRIOR and can proceed to the next level!
"Stay in a good mood.. every day!"

Acceleration Due to Gravity

The acceleration due to gravity at a particular distance r from the center of a planet of mass M
can be determined using Newton’s second law of motion and law of universal gravitation.

At the surface of Earth, g = 9.8 m/s2.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
What is the value of the acceleration due to gravity g of an object at an altitude equal to twice the radius
of Earth? (radius of Earth = 6.4 x106 m)

SOLUTION:
The distance from the center of Earth = (R E + 2RE) = 3RE

( )
[ ]

CHECKPOINT 2!!

What is the value of acceleration on the surface of a planet that has twice the mass of
Earth and twice its radius.

Did you get the correct answer? If yes, CONGRATULATIONS! Freya wants you to move to the
next level. You earned 3 stars and now an ELITE! And if not, it’s okay, try harder! Answer the questions
again.
"A scar.. is the testament of a warrior's honor."

General Physics 1 | Ms. Nezell C. Gamboa Page 2

 Satellite Motion

A satellite is any object that orbits a plant or a star. Satellites may be neutral or artificial. The
moon that orbits Earth is a natural satellite. The International Space Station is an artificial satellite.
The orbit of a satellite is nearly circular. Centripetal force is needed to keep this satellite moving
in a circle. This centripetal force is provided by the force of attraction between the satellite and the planet
it orbits.
Recall that . But , where T is the period. Therefore,

Solving for T,
√

Where M is the mass of the body about which the satellite orbits, r is the radius of the orbit, an G
is the gravitational constant equal to 6.674x10 -11 N•m2/kg2.

A syncom, which is a short term for a synchronous communication satellite, is a satellite having
the same period of revolution to the period of rotation of the planet it orbits. We view events happening in
distant places “live via satellite”. Such satellite is in synchronous orbit with Earth or in geosynchronous orbit.
The satellite also completes one revolution in 24 hours. Thus, it appears to stay directly over a fixed point
above Earth’s sky. In this way, stationary antennas called satellite dishes that are placed in our homes
receive signals without changing orientations from a revolving satellite.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 3:
What should be the altitude of a satellite synchronous with Earth?

SOLUTION:

√ √

Thus the satellite is at an altitude of 4.2 x107 m.

CHECKPOINT 3!!

Ganymede is one of the moons of Jupiter. Ganymede’s period of revolution around

Jupiter is 7.16 Earth days and an orbital radius of about 1.07 x109 m. find the mass of
Jupiter.

Did you get the all the correct answer? If yes, CONGRATULATIONS! Ruby approved you to move
to the next level. You’ve gained 4 stars are now a MASTER! And if not, it’s okay, try harder! Answer the
questions again.
"I love the feeling of chasing prey!"

General Physics 1 | Ms. Nezell C. Gamboa Page 3

 Gravitational Potential Energy and Escape Velocity

In general, gravitational potential energy is defined as the work needed to move an object
from an initial position to a final position. We consider the ground as the reference of gravitational
potential energy for bodies near Earth’s surface. However, in outer space where objects are very far
from Earth’s surface, we consider infinity as our reference point for zero potential energy. Negative work
is done to bring an object closer to Earth. Thus, when using infinity as reference point, gravitational
potential energy is always negative.

Escape velocity from an astronomical body is defined to be the minimum velocity an object
must have to escape its gravitational field without ever falling back. It can be calculated by equating
the initial kinetic energy of the moving body to the work necessary to overcome the gravity at the
surface of the astronomical body, neglecting friction. In symbols,

The distance r is equal to the radius R of the astronomical body with mass M. solving for the
escape velocity,

Recall that . Thus,the equation can be written as

√
The equation is only true for celestial bodies near Earth.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 4:
What is the escape speed from planet Earth given that the mass of Earth is 6 x10 24 kg and its radius is 6.4
x106 m?

SOLUTION:

√ √

We can also use

√ √ ( )

CHECKPOINT 4!!

a. What is a satellite?
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
b. What is meant by escape velocity?
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

The moon has a mass of 7.35 x1022 kg and a radius of 1.738 x106 m. At what speed must a rocket be
launched from the surface of the moon so as not to fall back to the moon?

Did you answer the questions correctly? If yes, CONGRATULATIONS! You passed Hanabi’s
challenge and gained 5 stars! You are now a GRAND MASTER! And if not, it’s okay, try harder! Answer the
questions again.
"The enemy often knows you better than you do."
References:
Baltazar & Tolentino. General Physics 1 Senior High School. 2017. Phoenix Publishing House Inc. 927 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City

General Physics 1 | Ms. Nezell C. Gamboa Page 4