Gravitational Fields

Question 0

What do field lines represent?

Answer 0

The direction of acceleration. (the direction of the gravitational field strength)

Question 1

Define the gravitational potential at a point.

Answer 1

At a point, the GP is the work done per unit mass to move a test mass from infinity to that point.

Question 2

What are equipotentials?

Answer 2

Field lines whereby all points that fall on the same efl have the same gravitational potential.

Question 3

What happens to the equipotentials as the distance increases? And why?

Answer 3

The space between equipotentials becomes more exaggerated.

As you go further away the field strength gets weaker, so less energy is required to move the mass per metre.

Question 4

What is Newtons Law of Gravitation?

Answer 4

Two objects will exert an attractive force on one another that is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.