SPACE

Define weight as the force on an object due to a

gravitational field

o Mass refers to the amount of matter that is contained within

an object, while Weight is the force of an object due to a
gravitational field.

Mass is measured in kilograms (kg) while Weight is

measured in Newtons (N).

o ALL masses exert a gravitational field

o The gravitational field created by a mass is an area in which

another mass experiences a force.

o The field around any object with mass extends infinitely, but
decreases rapidly as we move away. This is in relation with
the inverse square law.

Explain that a change in gravitational potential energy is

related to work done.
o Potential Energy is energy that is "stored" which can be converted into
other forms of energy.
o Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is the energy of a mass due to its
position within a gravitational field.
If a ball is placed atop a cliff, it will have the stored energy.
o Keep in mind that GPE is equivalent to work done in moving something to
a point.
W = Fs:
W is work done(J)
F is force applied(N)
s is displacement(m)
From this equation, we can say that, if we take the Earth's surface
as the point of 0 GPE, we can find GPE using:
GPE = mgh
Note that this equation can work with other planets
as well, obviously switching the value to whatever
the other planet's gravitational acceleration is.

Gravitational Potential Energy

o Gravitational Potential Energy is the energy of a mass due to its position
within a gravitational field.
 o On a planetary scale we need to find a proper "zero" point (that is where
the GPE of an object is zero.)
o All gravitational fields are infinite, hence the force acting on an object only
drops to zero if you at the furthest point from the centre of the
gravitational.
Subsequently, the GPE of an object at that point would be zero.
o However what happens if you move from that point toward the centre of
the gravitational field. What happens is that you gain kinetic energy in
exchange for GPE, GPE decreases as KE increases. Starting from the point
of infinity you would then have (from zero) an increasingly negative value
of gravitational potential energy as you approach the centre remember
that as you get closer to the centre and the value is smaller as a bigger
negative value is a smaller value.

Projectile Motion
o A projectile is any object that undergoes non-powered flight. (e.g. Ball
being kicked)

o Upon being fired, the projectile follows a trajectory, moving through the air.

o Galileo postulated that this motion of the projectile can be regarded as two
separate and independent motions:

o Vertical motion (which we will use the y axis to plot)

o Horizontal motion (which we will use the x axis to plot)

o To analyse these equations, we take each of the motions separately

As the motion is unassisted, we assume the only force acting on the

projectile is gravity.