Chapter 8: Gravitational Field.

8.1 Gravitational Field.

The force is known as the force which is due to the gravity. It is called as gravitational force.

The gravitational field is a region of space where a mass experiences a force. (definition).

Forces between masses.

The mass and force that acted onto a mass is a part of Newtons law of gravitation.

Newtons law of gravitation states that the two point masses attract each other with a force which is
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their separation.

The formula given for Newtons law of gravitation:

The m1 and m2 are the point masses of object, for example, the Sun and Earth.

The r value meant for the distance separation between the 2 point masses, m1 and m2.

The formula that given by Newtons law of gravitation and Coulombs law are very similar as they are
analog to each other. Thus, there is some important differences between electric field and gravitational
field in the Exam point of view.

Electric force Gravitational force

Acts on charges of particles Acts on masses of objects.
 Could be attractive and repulsive depending on Always attractive between two masses.
the charges of particles
8.2 & 8.3 Gravitational field strength.

Any mass or objects in a gravitational field experiences a force which known as gravitational force.

The magnitude of this force is rely on the gravitational field strength.

Definition: the gravitational field strength at a point is defined as the force per unit mass acting on a
small mass placed at that point.

F= mg

Whereas: = g= 9.81 Kgms^-2

It also can be an acceleration equals to the force per unit mass.

Example:
Circular Orbits

Imagine there is two planets for example, the Sun and Earth. The Earth always circulating in an orbit
around The Sun. Or a satellite can be circulating the Earth.

Since the Earth is circulating the Sun, thus there will be the presence of centripetal force.

The gravitational force will be there as the two planets are having attraction forces between each other.

Thus the gravitational force between Sun and Earth, the formula is given as

The Centripetal force between the two masses is given as

Gravitational force = centripetal force

Please recall the formula of angular speed.

For planets or satelites describing circular orbits about the same central body, the square of the period
is proportional to the cube of the radius of the orbit.

Satellites are widely used in communications and these satellites are placed in geostationary orbit.

Geostationary orbits are the equatorial orbits with exactly the same period of rotation as the Earth 24
hours and move in the same direction as the Earth (west to east), thus the satellites will be always at the
same position on the Earths equator.
Example :

Weightlessness

The lift

When the lift is stationary, an object of 10 kg, suspended from the balance, it will give the reading
of 100 N.

When the lift is accelerating upwards, the weight of the object shows lower in amount.

When the lift is accelerating downwards, the weight of the object shows higher in amount.

If there is no cable connecting the lift, the object or person will feel the weightless with zero because
due to the absence of tension on the lift.

A similar situation arises in a satellite orbiting the Earth, the force of gravity which provides the
centripetal force, s causing the body to fall out of its expected straight line path.

Gravitational field of a point mass.

Example:

Acceleration of free fall

Definition: Gravitational field strength is equal to the acceleration of free fall.

For an uniform sphere,

At the surface of Earth, we can assume that the Earth is approximately homogenous and therefore the
equation applies.
Mass and weight.

8.4 Gravitational Potential and Gravitational Potential energy.

Gravitational Potential at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the work done per unit mass in
bringing a small test mass from infinity to the point.

The gravitational potential is phi and its unit is the joule per kilogram (J kg)

The gravitational potential at infinity is defined as being zero.

The gravitational force is always attractive and so as the test mass moves from infinity, work done by
test mass and as a result its potential decreases. The value of gravitational potential is always negative.
Examples:

Questions: