Gravitation (2 Hours)

Chapter --- Gravitation
CHAPTER 7:
Gravitation
(2 Hours)
Overview:
Gravitation
Newton’s Law Gravitational Gravitational Satellite

of gravitation field strength potential motion
7.1 Gravitational Force & Field Strength (1 hour)

7.2 Gravitational Potential (½ hour)
7.3 Satellite Motion In a Circular Orbit (½ hour)
7.1 Gravitational Force &
(a) State and use the Newton’s law of gravitation, Field
m1m2 Strength
Fg  G
r2
(b) Define gravitational field strength as gravitational force per
unit mass, F
ag 
g
m
(c) Derive and use the equation for gravitational field strength,
M
ag  G 2
r
(d) Sketch a graph of ag against r and explain the change in ag
with altitude and depth from the surface of the earth
7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

States that a magnitude of

an attractive force between m1m2
two point masses is directly Fg  G 2
proportional to the product r
of their masses and
inversely proportional to
the square of the distance Fg = gravitational force
between them m1 , m2 = masses of particle 1
and 2
1 r: distance between particle 1
Fg  m1m2 and Fg  2 and 2
r G: Universal gravitational
m1m2 constant, 6.67 x 10 nN m2 kg– 2
Fg  2
r
 The statement can also be shown by using the Figure 7.1.
m1 m2
 
F21 F12
r
Figure 7.1
  m1m2
F21  F12  Fg  G 2
r
where

F21 : Gravitatio nal force by particle 2 on particle 1

F12 : Gravitatio nal force by particle 1 on particle 2
Simulation 7.1

Fg Fg
gradient  Gm1m2
1
0
Figure 7.2a r 0 Figure 7.2b
r2
 Every spherical object with constant density can be reduced
to a point mass at the centre of the sphere
 The gravitational forces always attractive in nature and the
forces always act along the line joining the two point masses

What must the

separation be m1m2
between a 5.2 kg Fg  G 2
r
particle and a 2.4 5.22.4
kg particle for 2.3  10 12
 6.67  10 11
r2
their gravitational 8.32  10 10
r2   361.74
attraction to have
a magnitude of
2.3  10 12 2
2.3 x 10–12 N? r  19.02 m

A spaceship of mass 9 000 kg travels from the Earth to the

Moon along a line that passes through the Earth’s centre
and the Moon’s centre. The average distance separating
Earth and the Moon is 384,000 km. Determine the distance
of the spaceship from the Earth at which the gravitational
force due to the Earth twice the magnitude of the
gravitational force due to the Moon.
(mE = 6.001024 kg, mM = 7.351022 kg,
G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2)
FEs  2FMs

mE  6.00  10 24 kg; mM  7.35  10 22 kg;
ms  9000 kg; rEM  3.84  108 m
mE  m  mM
FEs s FMs
x rEM  x
rEM
Given FEs  2FMs
GmE ms GmM ms
2
x 2
rEM  x 2
x2 mE

rEM  x 2 2mM
x2 6.00  10 24
 x  3.32  108 m
3.84 10 8
x 2

2 7.35  10 22 
Two spheres of masses

3.2 kg and 2.5 kg C
50 g
respectively are fixed
at points A and B as
shown in Figure 7.3. If 6 cm
a 50 g sphere is placed
at point C, determine 3.2 kg 2.5 kg
8 cm
(a) the resultant force A B
acting on it,
(b) the magnitude of the
sphere’s acceleration.

mA  3.2 kg; mB  2.5 kg; mC  50  10 3 kg
rBC  6  10 2 m; rAC  10  10 2 m
a. C
 θ
FA sin θ  0.6
2
 cos θ  0.8
10  10 m FB
6  10 2 m
θ
8  10 - 2 m
A B
The magnitude of the forces on mC,
FA 
GmA mC

6.67  10 3.2 50  10 
11 3
rAC
2
10 10 
2 2
FA  1.07  10 9 N

FB 
GmB mC

6.67  10 2.550  10 
11 3
rBC
2
6 10 
2 2
FB  2.32  10 9 N
Force x-component (N) y-component (N)
 FA cos θ  FA sin θ

FA   
  1.07 109 0.8   1.07 10 0.6
9

 8.56  10 10  6.42  10 10

0  FB
FB
 2.32  10 9

 Fx  8.56  10 10 N
F y  6.42  10 10  2.32  10 9  2.96  10 9 N

The magnitude of the nett force is
 F   F    F 
2 2
x y
  8.56  10    2.96  10 
10 2 9 2
 F  3.08 10 N 9
y
and its direction is
x
1   y 
 F    2 .96  10 9
 73.9
θ  tan  tan 
1

F  
  8.56  10 
10
 x 
θ  73.9 
F
b. By using the Newton’s second law of motion, thus
F  m a C

3.08 109  50 103 a 
3.08  10 9
a
50  10 3
a  6.16  10 8 m s 2
and the direction of the acceleration in the same direction of the nett
force on the mC i.e y
x
73.9

a

Exercise 7.1
Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2
1. Four identical masses of 800 kg each are placed at the
corners of a square whose side length is 10.0 cm. Determine
the nett gravitational force on one of the masses, due to the
other three.
ANS: 8.2103 N; 45
2. Three 5.0 kg spheres are located in the xy plane as shown in
Figure 7.6.Calculate the magnitude
of the nett gravitational force
on the sphere at the origin due to
the other two spheres.
ANS: 2.1108 N
Figure 7.6

3.
Figure 7.7
In Figure 7.7, four spheres form the corners of a square
whose side is 2.0 cm long. Calculate the magnitude
and direction of the nett gravitational force on a central
sphere with mass of m5 = 250 kg.
ANS: 1.68102 N; 45
A region where a body having a mass experiences

gravitational force, if a test mass placed in the
region
Figure 7.4 Figure 7.5


Gravitational force per unit mass ofaag body (test
mass) placed at a point
[It is also known as gravitational acceleration
(the free-fall acceleration)]
 where Fg : Gravitatio nal force

 Fg
ag  ag : Gravitatio nal field strength
m m : mass of a body (test mass)

• Another formula for the gravitational field strength at a point
is given by

 Fg GMm
ag  and Fg  2
m r
1  GMm  GM
ag  2
So ag   
m r 2
M
r
GM
ag  2
r
where
M : mass of the point mass Figure 7.8 r
r : distance between test mass and point mass

• The gravitational field in the small region near the Earth’s
surface( r R) are uniform where its strength is 9.81 m s2
and its direction can be shown by using the Figure 7.9.
GM
ag  g  2
R
Figure 7.9
where R : radius of the Earth
g : gravitatio nal accelerati on  9.81 m s 2

Outside the Earth ( r > R)

• Figure 7.11 shows a test mass which is outside the Earth and
at a distance r from the centre.
M r
R
Figure 7.11
• The gravitational field strength GM 1
outside the Earth is ag  2 ag  2
r r
On the Earth ( r = R)
Figure 7.12 shows a test mass on the Earth’s surface.
M r
R
Figure 7.12
The gravitational field strength on the Earth’s surface is

GM
ag  2  g  9.81 m s  2
R

Inside the Earth ( r < R)
Figure 7.13 shows a test mass which is inside the Earth and at
distance r from the centre.
M where
M' r M ' : the mass of spherical portion
of the Earth of radius, r
R
Figure 7.13
The gravitational field strength inside the Earth is given by
GM '
ag  2
r

By assuming the Earth is a solid sphere and constant density,
hence
M ' V '


M '  43 r 3
 4 3  3
r3
M V M  3 R  R 
r3
M ' 3 M
R
Therefore the gravitational field strength inside the Earth is
 r3 
G 3 M 
ag   R 
r2
GM
ag  3 r ag  r
R
• The variation of gravitational field strength, ag as a function of
distance from the centre of the Earth, r is shown in Figure
7.14.
ag Figure 7.14
GM
ag  2
g
R
1
ag  2
ag  r r
0 R
r
Variation of gravitational field strength on the distance from the

centre of the Earth
Outside the Earth On the Earth (r =

In the Earth (r < R)
(r > R) R)
GM GM GM
ag  2 a g  2  g  9.81 m s  2 ag  3 r
r R R
Determine the Earth’s gravitational field strength

(a) on the surface,
(b) at an altitude of 350 km.
(Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2, mass of the Earth,
M = 6.00  1024 kg and radius of the Earth, R = 6.40  106 m)
r  R  6.40  10 6 m; a g  g
a.  The gravitational field strength is
 
g
r GM 6.67  10 11 6.00  10 24
g 2 
M R 
6.40  10 6 2

R
g  9.77 N kg 1 OR 9.77 m s
2
(Towards the centre of the Earth)

b.

ag h r  Rh
r  6.40  10 6  350  103
r  6.75  10 6 m
The gravitational field strength is given by
R M GM
ag  2
r

6.67  10 6.00  10
11 24
6.75 10  6 2
ag  8.78 m s 2

The gravitational field a. The gravitational field

strength on the Earth’s strength on the Earth’s
surface is 9.81 N kg1. surface is
Calculate
a. the gravitational field g  9.81 N kg 1
strength at a point C at
distance 1.5R from The distance of point C
the Earth’s surface where from the Earth’s centre is
R is the radius of the
GM
Earth. g  2  9.81 N kg 1
b. the weight of a rock of R
mass 2.5 kg at point C.
r  R  1.5 R  2.5 R

a. Thus the gravitational b. Given m  2.5 kg
field strength at point C is The weight of the rock is
given by GM
ag  2
rC W  ma g
GM  2.51.57 
ag 
2.5R 2 W  3.93 N
1  GM 
  2  (Towards the centre of the Earth)
6.25  R 
ag 
1
9.81  1.57 N kg 1
6.25

5 km
B
A
Figure 7.10
Figure 7.10 shows an object A at a distance of 5 km from
the object B. The mass A is four times of the mass B.
Determine the location of a point on the line joining both
objects from B at which the nett gravitational field strength
is zero.
a g nett  0
r  5  103 m; M A  4 M B
At point C
A  
a g1 C a g 2 B
a  g nett 0
a g1  a g 2
rx x GM A GM B
 2
r
r  x 2 x
4M B MB
 2
5 10 3
x 
2
x
x  1.67  103 m

7.2 Gravitational Potential
(a) Define gravitational potential in a gravitational field

(b) Derive and use the formulae,
GM
V 
r
(c) Sketch the variation of gravitational potential, V with

distance, r from the centre of the earth.
at a point is defined as the work done by a

gravitational force in bringing a test mass from
infinity to a point per unit the test mass
where
W
V m : mass of the test mass
m V : gravitational potential at a point
W : work done in bringing a test mass
from infinity to a point
7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

M
R A B 
m = 1 kg
r
x
Move m from C to B dW  Fdx
r
1  1  1 

r
W  GM dx  GM    GM    0 
 x   r 
 x 2
GM where
V  r : distance between the point
r and the point mass, M
Decrease, V decrease towards the Earth

• The variation of gravitational potential, V when the test mass,

m move away from the Earth’s surface is illustrated by the
graph in Figure 7.17.
V
0 R
r
1
V
r
Figure 7.17
Note:
GM
  The Gravitational potential at infinity
R is zero. V 0

m=2kg
Determine the
gravitational h=8×106
r
potential at height
R
8.0 x 106 m above the
surface of the Earth. Earth
GM
given: G = 6.67 x 10–11 N V 
r
6.67  10 6  10 

kg–2 m–2; Mass of the 11 24
earth = 6.0 x 1024 kg; 
Radius of Earth = 6.4 x 8  10 6  6.4  10 6
106 m
V  2.78  107 J kg 1

Determine the
gravitational potential GM
V 
at a point 5000 km r
above the surface of 6.7  10 11 7.32  10 22 

the Moon. 5  1.74  106
given: G = 6.67 x 10–11 N
kg–2 m–2; Mass of the  7.2  10 J kg
5 -1
Moon = 7.32 x 1022 kg;

Radius of Moon = 1740
km

When in orbit, a satellite Fg = 19  103 N

attracts the Earth with a V = – 5.45  107 J kg-1
force of 19 kN and the
satellite’s gravitational
potential due to the Earth 
h
is 5.45107 J kg1. Fg
(a) Calculate the satellite’s r
distance from the R
Earth’s surface.
(b) Determine the
satellite’s mass.

(a) By using the formulae of gravitational potential,

thus GM
V 
r
 5.45  10 7 
6.67  10 5.98  10 
11 24
r
r  7.32  10 6 m
Therefore the satellite’s distance from the Earth’s
surface is
r hR
7.32  10 6  h  6.38  10 6
h  9.4  105 m

(b) From the Newton’s law of gravitation, hence
GMm
Fg  2
r
19  103 
6.67  10 5.98  10 m
11 24
7.32 10 
6 2
m  2552 kg

R
r1 m
The gravitational M h  2R
potential at the surface r2
of a planet of radius R
is 12.8 MJ kg1.
Determine the work
On the surface of the planet, the
done in overcoming
the gravitational force gravitational potential is
when a space probe of GM
V 
mass 1000 kg is lifted r1
to a height of 2R from GM
the surface of the  12.8  10  
6
planet. R
GM
 12.8  10 6
R
On the surface of the planet, The work done required is

the gravitational potential is given by
V 
GM 1 1
r1 W  GMm  
GM  r1 r2 
 12.8  10  
6
R 1 1 
GM  GMm  
 12.8  10 6  R 3R 
R 2m  GM 
  
The final distance of the 3  R 
21000 
 
space probe from the centre
of the Earth is  12.8  10 6
r2  R  h  3R 3 9
W  8.53  10 J
7.3 Satellite Motion In a
Circular Orbit
Explain and use equation for satellite motion:
– velocity,
GM
v
r
– period,
r3
T  2
GM
• Consider a satellite
of mass, m travelling
around the Earth of
mass, M, radius, R, in
a circular orbit of
radius, r with
constant tangential
(orbital) speed, v as
shown in Figure 7.18
Figure 7.18
7.3: SATELLITE MOTION IN A CIRCULAR ORBIT

• The centripetal force, Fc • Hence the tangential

is contributed by the velocity, v is given by
gravitational force of
attraction, Fg exerted on GM
the satellite by the v
r
Earth
Fg  Fc  mac r: distance of the satellite from
the centre of the Earth
GMm mv 2
2
 M: mass of the Earth
r r G: universal gravitational
constant

• For a satellite close to • Hence , the period, T of

the Earth’s surface, the satellite orbits
rR and GM  gR 2 around the Earth is
given by
• Therefore
2r GM
v  gR 
T r
• The relationship
between tangential
r3
velocity and angular T  2
velocity is GM
2r
v  r 
T
A satellite travels at a
height from the center T  2
r3
 2
2R 
3
of the Earth twice the GM GM

radius of the Earth.
Determine the period of  2
26.4 10 6 3
revolution of the 6.67  10 6  10 

11 24
satellite.
 22289.16 
(Radius of Earth: T  14.39 103 s  4.0 hour
6.4×106 m; mass of
Earth: 6.0×1024 kg)

GM
v
r
The satellite is orbiting At 6610 km,
the Earth with a radius GM
r of 6 610 km at a 7780   (1)
speed v of 7 780 m s–1. 6610  10 3
Then the satellite is

At 6890 km,
boosted into higher
GM
orbit of radius 6890 v  (2)
km. Show that the 6810  10 3
speed of the satellite

in the new orbit is (2)/(1): v  7620 ms 1 (Showed)
7620 m s–1.

The period of the Moon r3

round the Earth is 27.3 T  2
GM
days. The average
radius of the Earth is T r3

6.37 x 106 m. The 2 GM
gravitational field r3
T 
2
strength on the surface  

GM  2 
of the Earth is 9.8 Nkg-1. 2
Determine the average T 
r  GM    (1)
3
distance between the  2 

Moon and the Earth.
Radius of the orbit

On the Earth surface, (2) In (1)

2
T 
g 2
GM r  gR  
3 2
R  2 
GM  gR 2  (2) r 3  9.86.37  10 6 1.41  1011 
r 3  56.07  10 24
r  3.8  108 m

A satellite revolves round A geostationary satellite of

Q1
Q2
the Earth in a circular mass 2400 kg is placed
35.92 Mm from the Earth’s
orbit whose radius is five surface orbits the Earth
times that of the radius of along a circular path.
the Earth. The Determine
gravitational field (a) the angular velocity of the
strength at the surface satellite,
of the Earth is 9.81 N (b) the tangential speed of
the satellite,
kg1. Determine (c) the acceleration of the
(a) the tangential speed satellite,
of the satellite in the (d) the force of attraction
orbit, between the Earth and the
(b) the angular frequency satellite,
of the satellite. (e) the mass of the Earth.
ANS: 7.27105 rad s1;
ANS: 3538 m s1; 3.08103 m s1; 0.224 m s2;
1.11104 rad s1 537 N; 6.001024 kg
THE END.
Next Chapter…
CHAPTER 8 :
Rotation of a rigid body

Gravitation (2 Hours)

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Chapter --- Gravitation

Newton’s Law Gravitational Gravitational Satellite

7.1 Gravitational Force & Field Strength (1 hour)

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

States that a magnitude of

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

What must the

2.3 x 10–12 N? r  19.02 m

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

A spaceship of mass 9 000 kg travels from the Earth to the

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

Two spheres of masses

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

F y  6.42  10 10  2.32  10 9  2.96  10 9 N

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

A region where a body having a mass experiences

Figure 7.4 Figure 7.5

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

 where Fg : Gravitatio nal force

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

Outside the Earth ( r > R)

The gravitational field strength on the Earth’s surface is

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

Variation of gravitational field strength on the distance from the

Outside the Earth On the Earth (r =

Determine the Earth’s gravitational field strength

(Towards the centre of the Earth)

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

The gravitational field a. The gravitational field

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.1: GRAVITATIONAL FORCE & FIELD STRENGTH

7.2 Gravitational Potential

(a) Define gravitational potential in a gravitational field

(c) Sketch the variation of gravitational potential, V with

at a point is defined as the work done by a

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

• The variation of gravitational potential, V when the test mass,

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

Moon = 7.32 x 1022 kg;

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

When in orbit, a satellite Fg = 19  103 N

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

(a) By using the formulae of gravitational potential,

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

(b) From the Newton’s law of gravitation, hence

7.2: GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL

On the surface of the planet, The work done required is

7.3: SATELLITE MOTION IN A CIRCULAR ORBIT

• The centripetal force, Fc • Hence the tangential

7.3: SATELLITE MOTION IN A CIRCULAR ORBIT

• For a satellite close to • Hence , the period, T of