Gravitational Field

Question 1

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 their separation

Question 2

Gravitational field

Answer 2

The gravitational field is a region of space where a mass experiences a gravitational force

Question 3

Gravitational field strength

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Gravitational potential

Answer 4

Gravitational potential at a point is defined as the work done per unit mass in bringing a small test mass from infinity to that point

Question 5

Equipotential surfaces

Answer 5

Equipotential surfaces are surfaces on which the potential is the same at all points on the surface

Question 6

Escape speed

Answer 6

Escape speed is the minimum speed at which a body can be projected from the surface of a planet so that it reaches an infinite distance from the planet.