Physics 20 Lesson 22 Gravitational Field Strength

Refer to Pearson pages 216 to 229 for a discussion of gravitational field strength.

I. Gravitational field strength (acceleration due to gravity)

Near the surface of the Earth all objects, regardless of size or shape, are subject to an
2
average acceleration due to gravity of 9.81 m/s acting downward toward the center of
the Earth. Another name for this acceleration is gravitational field strength. As you
move away from the center of the Earth, the gravitational field strength decreases in
magnitude, but its direction remains unchanged. The gravitational field strength is
different for different planets and moons.

When we calculate the gravitational force of attraction between an object and the Earth,
we could use the Universal Law of Gravitation equation

m1m 2
Fg  G
r2

or we could use the more familiar

Fg  mg  mag

When we make these equations equal to one another, we get:

Fg  Fg
m1m2
mag  G (recognizing that m = m2 )
r2
mm
m2a g  G 1 2 2 (m2 cancels)
r
m
ag  G 21 (where r is the radius and m1 is the mass of the planet)
r

The gravitational field strength or the acceleration due to gravity for a planet or moon is
calculated using this formula.

Example 1
What is the gravitational field strength on the surface of Neptune?

From the table at the end of this lesson we find the mass and radius of Neptune.
m
ag  G 21
r
2 (1.03  10
26
kg)
ag  6.67  10 11 Nm
(2.48  10 m)2
2 7
kg

ag = 11.17 N/kg or 11.17 m/s2

Dr. Ron Licht 22 - 1 www.structuredindependentlearning.com

Example 2
What is the gravitational field strength at a distance of 1.914 x 107 m above the surface
of the Earth? If a person weighs 400 N on the surface, what would he weigh at this
distance?

From the data table on the formula sheet we find the mass and radius of Earth.

r = rE + altitude = 6.37 x 106 m + 1.914 x 107 m = 2.551 x 107 m

m1
ag  G
r2
(5.98  1024 kg)
ag  6.67  1011 Nm
2

kg2
(2.551 107 m)2
ag = 0.613 N/kg

The person’s mass can be calculated using Fg = m ag (ag = 9.81 N/kg on the surface)

Fg
m
ag
400N
m N
m = Fg/g = 400 N/(9.81 m/s2 ) = 40.77 kg
9.81 kg
m  40.77kg

The person’s new weight can be calculated using:

Fg  mag
Fg  40.77kg(0.613 kg
N
)
Fg = 25 N at 1.914 x 107 m above the Earth

Dr. Ron Licht 22 - 2 www.structuredindependentlearning.com

II. Gravitational force ≠ gravitational field strength
Some confusion may exist between the concepts of gravitational field strength and
gravitational force. Consider three objects like those depicted below. Each object
experiences the same gravitational field strength of –9.81 m/s , assuming that we are
2

on Earth, but each object experiences a different force since each object has a different
mass.

10 kg 100 kg
1000 kg

Fg = 98.1 N

Fg = 981 N Fg = 9810 N

Fg  m g

III. Practice problems

1. What is the gravitational field strength on the surface of Earth? What is the
gravitational field strength 100 km above the surface of Earth? (9.81 m/s2,
9.53 m/s2)

2. You are on a planet whose radius is known to be about 4500 km. You then
perform the following experiment: You drop a rock from a height of 10.0 m and
measure the time of its fall to be 2.65 s. What is the mass of the planet?
(8.65 x 1023 kg)

Dr. Ron Licht 22 - 3 www.structuredindependentlearning.com

IV. Hand-in assignment
Use the data table below to help you do the following problems.

The Solar System

Period of Period of
Mass Radius of rotation Mean radius revolution of
Object (kg) object (m) on axis (s) of orbit (m) orbit (s)

 
30 8 6
Sun 1.98 x 10 6.95 x 10 2.14 x 10
23 6 6 10 6
Mercury 3.28 x 10 2.57 x 10 5.05 x 10 5.79 x 10 7.60 x 10
24 6 7 11 7
Venus 4.83 x 10 6.31 x 10 2.1 x 10 1.08 x 10 1.94 x 10
24 6 4 11 7
Earth 5.98 x 10 6.37 x 10 8.61 x 10 1.49 x 10 3.16 x 10
23 6 4 11 7
Mars 6.37 x 10 3.43 x 10 8.85 x 10 2.28 x 10 5.91 x 10
27 7 4 11 8
Jupiter 1.90 x 10 7.18 x 10 3.54 x 10 7.78 x 10 1.74 x 10
26 7 4 12 8
Saturn 5.67 x 10 6.03 x 10 3.60 x 10 1.43 x 10 9.30 x 10
25 7 4 12 9
Uranus 8.80 x 10 2.67 x 10 3.88 x 10 2.87 x 10 2.66 x 10
26 7 6 12 9
Neptune 1.03 x 10 2.48 x 10 5.69 x 10 4.50 x 10 5.20 x 10
23 6 5 12 9
Pluto 6 x 10 3 x 10 5.51 x 10 5.9 x 10 7.82 x 10

22 6 6 8 6
Moon 7.34 x 10 1.74 x 10 2.36 x 10 3.8 x 10 2.36 x 10

1. Calculate the acceleration due to gravity on Jupiter. (24 m/s2)

2. If a man weighs 780 N on Earth, what would he weigh on the moon? (129 N)

3. The instrument payload of a rocket weighs 890 N on Earth. What does it weigh at
an altitude of 25520 km above the surface of the Earth? (35.3 N)

4. Calculate the acceleration due to gravity on Saturn. How much will a 60 kg man
weigh on the surface of Saturn? (10.4 m/s2, 624 N)

5. At the top of Mt. Robson in British Columbia, a 7.50 kg turkey weighs 72.6 N.
Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational field strength at this location. (9.68 N/kg)

Dr. Ron Licht 22 - 4 www.structuredindependentlearning.com

V. Activity
Read Pearson pages 226 to 228 and then do QuickLab 4-4.

Problem
What is the motion of water in a cup when the cup is dropped from several metres
above Earth's surface?

Materials
paper cup
pointed pen or pencil
water
food coloring
stepladder
thinking students

Procedure

CAUTION: Do this activity outside. Have someone steady the ladder

and be careful when climbing it.

1. Ask your kind and benevolent instructor for the materials for the activity.

2. Make two small holes on opposite sides of the cup near the bottom using the pen
or pencil. Cover the holes with your thumb and forefinger. Then fill the cup with
colour water.

3. Hold the cup at shoulder height above the

ground and uncover the holes. Observe what
happens to the water. Have a partner sketch
the path the water takes.

4. Read step 5 but before proceeding with step 5,

predict what will happen when you drop the
cup. Explain your prediction.

5. Refill the cup, climb the ladder and drop the

cup from a height of several metres. Observe
the motion of the water during the fall.

Questions
1. Describe the path and motion of the water
(a) when the cup was held stationary, and
(b) when the cup was dropped from the ladder. Give a reason for your
observations. How do you observations compare with your predictions?
Explain.

Dr. Ron Licht 22 - 5 www.structuredindependentlearning.com