Chapter 7: Gravitational Field

Question 1

Define Newton’s Law of Gravitation

Answer 1

Newton’s Law of Gravitation states that two point masses attract each other with a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the separation between them

Question 2

Define gravitational field

Answer 2

A gravitational field is defined as a region of space in which a mass experiences a gravitational force

Question 3

Define gravitational field strength

Answer 3

The gravitational field strength at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the gravitational force per unit mass acting on a small test mass placed at that point

Question 4

Define gravitational potential energy

Answer 4

The gravitational potential energy of a mass at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the work done by an external agent in bringing the mass from infinity to that point.

Question 5

Define gravitational potential

Answer 5

The gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the work done per unit mass by an external agent in bringing a small test mass from infinity to that point