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 




Redeveloped Division Initiated Self-Learning Module

Department of Education
i
– Division of Palawan
General Physics 1 – Grade 12
Redeveloped Division Initiated - Self-Learning Module
Quarter 2 – Module 2: Gravity
Second Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education, Division of Palawan

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OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendents:
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Writer: Alvin P. Cajiles Writer: Alvin P. Cajiles

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ii
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step
as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need
to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the
lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-
check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust
that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they
can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of
this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks
in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.

iii
 Gen Physics 1
Second Quarter
Week 2
Gravity
Most Essential Learning Competencies
Objectives:
1. use Newton’s law of gravitation to infer gravitational force,
weight, and acceleration due to gravity;
2. discuss the physical significance of gravitational field;
3. apply the concept of gravitational potential energy in physics
problems;
4. calculate quantities related to planetary or satellite motion; and
5. for circular orbits, relate Kepler’s third law of planetary motion to
Newton’s law of gravitation and centripetal acceleration.

What I Know
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. The gravitational constant has a symbol of _______________.

a. C b. G c. K d. N

2. Who is the proponent of the Universal Law of Gravitation?

a. Archimedes b. Alber Einstein c. Isaac Newton d. Blaise Pascal

3. The notation Fg is referred as the magnitude of the _____________________.

a. electrical force c. gravitational force
b. rotational force d. magnetic force

4. What is the value of G (in three significant figures)?

a. 6.67 x 10-8 N c. 9.11 x 10-36 kg
b. 6.67 x 10-11 N.m2/kg2 d. 9.81 m/s2

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5. In which of the following cases would you feel weightless?
a. Travelling through space in an accelerating rocket
b. Falling from an airplane with your parachute open
c. Walking on the moon
d. Taking an exam

6. A useful way to describe forces that act at a distance is in terms of ____________.

a. attraction c. force
b. period d. field

7. If your mass on Earth is 65 kg, what your mass be on the moon?

a. 11 kg b. 11 lbs c. 65 kg d. 65 lbs

8. How much gravitational potential energy does a 2-kg block have if it is lifted 12.5
meters high?
a. 245 J b. 490 J c. 500 J d. 510 J

9. Which of the following is NOT one of Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion?

a. The square of a planet’s period is proportional to its distance cubed from the sun.
b. The area of a planet’s orbital plane is inversely proportional to its speed.
c. A planet sweeps out equal area in an equal time interval.
d. Planets move around the sun in elliptical orbits.

10. Are Kepler’s laws purely descriptive, or do they contain causal information?
a. Kepler’s laws are purely descriptive.
b. Kepler’s laws are purely causal.
c. Kepler’s laws are descriptive as well as causal.
d. Kepler’s laws are neither descriptive nor causal.

11. Why doesn’t the Moon travel in smooth circle around the Sun?
a. The Moon is not affected by the gravitational field of the Sun.
b. The Moon is not affected by the gravitational field of the Earth.
c. The Moon is affected by the gravitational fields of both the Earth and the Sun, which
are always additive.
d. The Moon is affected by the gravitational fields of both the Earth and the Sun, which
are sometimes additive and sometimes opposite.

12. According to the general theory of relativity, a gravitational field bends light. What
does this have to do with time and space?
a. Gravity has no effect on the space-time continuum, and gravity only affects the
motion of light.
b. The space-time continuum is distorted by gravity, and gravity has no effect on the
motion of light.
c. Gravity has no effect on either the space-time continuum or on the motion of light.
d. The space-time continuum is distorted by gravity, and gravity affects the motion of
light.
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13. Would you have the same mass on the moon as you do on Earth? Would you have
the same weight?
a. You would weigh more on the moon than on Earth because gravity on the moon
is stronger than gravity on Earth.
b. You would weigh less on the moon than on Earth because gravity on the moon is
weaker than gravity on Earth.
c. You would weigh less on the moon than on Earth because gravity on the moon is
stronger than gravity on Earth.
d. You would weigh more on the moon than on Earth because gravity on the moon
is weaker than gravity on Earth.

14. Identify the constants G and g.

a. G and g are both the acceleration due to gravity
b. g is acceleration due to gravity and G is the universal gravitational constant.
c. g is the gravitational constant and G is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth.
d. G and g are both the universal gravitational constant.

15. What is the mass of a person who weighs 600 N?

a. 6.00 kg b. 61.2 kg c. 600 kg d. 610 kg

What is It

We are so used to seeing the Moon in the sky that it is somewhat suprising to see
the Earth instead. In fact, astronauts on the Moon do not see earthrise or earthset
because the Moon always keeps the same face toward Earth. Only austronauts orbiting
the Moon can see the Earth seemingly to change position and rise or set.
This module discusses gravity, which is one of the
four fundamental forces in nature. Gravity is the weakest
of these four forces (inside atoms, for example, gravity is
negligible relative to the electromagnetic forces), but it
operates over all distances and is always a force of
attraction between objects with mass (as opposed to the
electromagnetic interaction, for which the charges come
in positive and negative varieties so resulting forces can be
attractive or repulsive and tend to sum to zero for most
macroscopic objects).
It is a popular legend in the scientific community

Source: https://cnx.org/contents/3zzSixq6@15/Newton-s-Universal-Law-of-Gravitation

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 that Newton discovered the law of universal gravitation when an apple fell from
a tree and hit his head.

Newton’s discoveries paved way to the definition of gravitational force that could
explain both falling bodies and astronomical motions. However, Newton was not the first
person who suspected that same force caused both weight and motion of planets.
Galileo Galilei, a forerunner of Newton, contended that falling bodies and planetary
motions had the same cause. Robert Hooke, Christopher Wren, and Edmund Halley, who
were Newton’s contemporaries, also made progress on the understanding of
gravitation. He proposed that motion of heavenly bodies can be best explained using
conic sections – circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas.

Key Concepts and Equations

Concept Discussion
Newton’s Law of • Gravity is one of the four fundamental interactions – the
Universal Gravitation, other being the electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong
Weight and nuclear interactions.
Gravitational Field • What is now called the Law of Universal Gravitation was first
inspired by Galileo’s discovery that light and heavy bodies
have the same acceleration on the surface of the Earth
when air resistance is negligible as well as Newton’s
observation of a surprising numerical coincidence involving
the radius of the Earth, the distance of the Moon from the
center of the Earth, the gravitational acceleration on the
Earth’s surface, and the Moon’s centripetal acceleration as
it orbits the Earth.
• According to Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation “Every
particle of matter attracts every other particle with a force
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between them.”
𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
In equation form, this can be written as 𝐹𝑔 = where Fg
𝑟2
is the magnitude of the gravitational force, m1 and m2 are
the masses of the interacting particles, r is the distance
between the particles, and G is a fundamental physical
constant known as Universal Gravitational Constant.
• The value of the Universal Gravitational Constant is G = 6.67
x 10-11 N.m2/kg2.
• In gravitational interactions wherein uniform spherical
objects are involved, the distance r in Newton’s Law of
Universal Gravitation is the center-to-center distance. One
can think of a point mass as a sphere with infinitesimal radius.
• The weight of an object is the vector sum of all the
gravitational forces acting on the object.
• Conceptually, there is a fine distinction between the masses
that appear in Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and in

4
 Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion. The mass associated with
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation is known as
gravitational mass, while the mass associated with Newton’s
2nd Law of Motion is known as inertial mass. However, it has
been shown in experiments performed by Newton, Bessel,
Eotvos, and many others that the gravitational mass and the
inertial mass are identical to a very high accuracy. The
equivalence of gravitational mass and inertial mass is one of
the foundational ideas of Einstein’s General Theory of
Relativity.
• The gravitational attraction between two masses can be
imagined either as an action-at-a-distance force or a field
force. When imagined as an action-at-a-distance force, the
objects act directly on each other instantly and without
direct contact. When imagined as a field force, the
presence of a mass somehow changes the space
surrounding it and when another mass occupies the space
nearby, an interaction occurs.
• The gravitational field strength, g(r), is defined as the
𝐹𝑔 (𝑟)
gravitational field per unit test mass at a point. 𝑔 (𝑟) =
𝑚𝑡
where Fg(r) is the gravitational force exerted on a test mass
mt, located at position r.
• We can say that a mass m experiences a gravitational field
g, and the gravitational force experienced by the mass is
mg.
• The magnitude of the gravitational field strength at a
distance r from a point mass, M, (or from a uniform density
𝐺𝑀
sphere with mass M) is 𝑔 = .
𝑟2
• The gravitational field inside a uniform spherical shell is zero.
Gravitational Field • The gravitational attraction between two masses can be
imagined either as an action-at-a-distance force or a field
force. When imagined as an action-at-a-distance force, the
objects act directly on each other instantly without direct
contact. When imagined as a field force, the presence of a
mass somehow changes the space surrounding it and when
another mass occupies the space nearby, an interaction
occurs.
• The gravitational field strength, g(r), is defined as the
𝐹𝑔 (𝑟)
gravitational field per unit test mass at a point. 𝑔(𝑟) =
𝑚𝑡
where Fg(r) is the gravitational force exerted on a test mass,
mt, located at position r.
• We can say that a mass m experiences a gravitational field
g, and the gravitational force experienced by the mass is
mg.

5
 • The magnitude of the gravitational field strength at a
distance r from a point mass, M, (or from a uniform density
𝐺𝑀
sphere with mass M) is 𝑔 = .
𝑟2
• The gravitational field due to a uniform spherical shell at a
point inside the sphere is zero.
Gravitational • The gravitational potential energy of a pair of masses, m1
Potential Energy and and m2, that are a distance r apart is 𝑈𝑔 = −
𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
+ 𝐶 where
𝑟
Escape Velocity C is a constant that is often conveniently assigned a value
𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
of 0: 𝑈𝑔 = −
𝑟
• It can be shown that the above expression for the
gravitational potential energy is consistent with the
expression Ug = mgh for a body of mass m located in a
region with uniform gravitational field or gravitational
acceleration.
• For a mass to escape the Earth’s gravitational field, it must
have sufficient initial kinetic energy, and hence, initial speed
to reach a location that is of an infinite distance from Earth.
The initial speed that is needed for an object to “barely”
reach infinity is the “escape speed” – in this case the kinetic
energy of the object at infinity is zero as all the initial kinetic
energy has been converted to gravitational potential
energy. The terms escape speed and escape velocity,
although not strictly equivalent, are often used
interchangeably.
• The formula for escape speed is
2𝐺𝑀
𝑣𝑒 = √
𝑟
where ve is escape speed, G is the gravitational constant,
mass M of the body to be escaped from, and r is the
distance from the center of the mass.
Orbits and Kepler’s • Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion can be stated as follows:
Laws of Planetary (1) 1st Law (Law of Ellipses): All planets move about the sun
Motion in elliptical orbits
(2) 2nd Law (Law of Areas): A radius vector joining a planet
to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times.
𝑇2
(3) 3rd Law (The Harmonic Law): = constant for all planets
𝑎3
in the Solar System where T is the orbital period of the
planet (the time it takes to complete one orbit) and a is
the average distance of the planet from the Sun.
• Newton’s demonstration of Kepler’s Laws of Planetary
Motion, along with the explanation Galileo’s observations
about the motion of falling bodies and explanation of tides,
using Newton’s Laws of Motion combined with calculus and

6
 the Law of Universal Gravitation were some of the early
triumps of Newtonian Mechanics.
• It turns out that counterparts of Kepler’s Laws of Planetary
Motion also hold for other systems where there is a massive
central object, i.e., elliptical orbits, are still encountered;
objects, not necessarily planets, still sweep equal areas in
𝑇2
equal times; is still a constant for all objects orbiting the
𝑎3
massive central object – but the constant is dependent on
the mass of the central object.
• For objects interacting exclusively through gravity,
parabolic, circular, elliptical, and hyperbolic orbits may be
encountered. Circular orbits are examples of bound orbits;
while parabolic and hyperbolic orbits are examples of
unbound orbits.
• For an object of mass m orbiting around a much more
massive object of mass (i.e. 𝑀 ≫ 𝑚) along a circular path,
combining Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion, the centripetal
acceleration formula and Newton’s Law of Universal
𝐺𝑀𝑚 𝑚𝑣 2
Gravitation yields the relation: = where r is the radius
𝑟2 𝑟
of the orbit and v is the speed of the orbiting object.
Source: Esguerra, J.P., Bacabac, R., Cordovilla, J., Roxas-Villanueva, R.M., and Magali, J.K., 2018. General
Physics 1. 1st ed. Prinpia Co., Ltd.

Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and Weight

Example 1: The radius of the Earth is RE = 6.37 x 106 m and the acceleration due to gravity
near the Earth’s surface is g = 9.8 m/s2. The orbital period of the Moon around Earth is is
27.32 days; and the radius of the Moon’s orbit, nearly circular, around Earth is RM = 3.84 x
108 m.
A. Calculate the angular speed, 𝜔, of the Moon around the Earth.
B. Calculate the speed, v, of the Moon around the Earth.
C. Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the Moon.

Solution:
A. The moon makes one one complete orbit (∆𝜃 = 2𝜋) every 27.32 days. (∆𝑡 = 𝑇𝑀 =
∆𝜃 2𝜋
27.32 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 = 2.36 x 106 s ). The angular speed is therefore 𝜔= = =
∆𝑡 2.36 x 106 𝑠
2.66 𝑥 10−6 𝑟𝑎d/𝑠

B. The speed of the moon around the Earth can be calcuated either by dividing the total
distance traveled by the moon in one revolution (2𝜋𝑅𝑀 ) with the period or the time it
takes for the moon to complete one revolution (𝑇𝑀 = 2.36 x 106 𝑠) or by multiplying the
angular speed (𝜔) and the radius of the Moon’s orbit (𝑅𝑀 ). Hence,

𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑣 = 𝑅𝑀 𝜔 = (3.84 x 108 𝑚) (2.66 x 10−6 ) = 1.02 x 103 𝑚/𝑠
𝑠

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Alternatively,
2𝜋𝑅𝑀 2𝜋(3.84 x 108 m)
𝑣= = = 1.02 𝑥 103 𝑚/𝑠
𝑇𝑀 2.36 x 106 𝑠

C. The centripetal acceleration of the moon is

𝑣 2 (1.02 𝑥 103 𝑚/𝑠)2
𝑎𝑀 = = = 2.71 𝑥 10−3 𝑚/𝑠2
𝑅𝑀 3.84 x 108 𝑚

Example 2: The radius of the Earth is Re = 6.37 x 106 m and the acceleration due to gravity
near the Earth’s surface is g = 9.8 m/s2. Use this information and Newton’s Law of Universal
Gravitation to estimate the mass of the Earth.
Given: RE = 6.37 x 106 m g = 9.8 m/s2

Solution:
Recall the concept of free fall that is close to the surface of the Earth. If air
resistance is ignored, an object that is experiencing free fall motion is only affected by
the gravitational force of the Earth. As this is a case of an object near the surface of the
Earth, the distance of the object from the center of the Earth is nearly equal to the radius
of the Earth, RE. Acceleration in this case if g = 9.8 m/s2. Combining these information will
yield the following:
𝑀𝐸 𝑚
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝑚𝑎 → 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = 𝐺 = 𝑚𝑔
(R E )2
𝑔(𝑅𝐸 )2 (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(6.37 x 106 𝑚)2
𝑀𝐸 = = = 6 𝑥 1024 𝑘𝑔
𝐺 6.67 𝑥 10−11 𝑁𝑚2 /𝑘𝑔2

Example 3: Compare the gravitational pull exerted by the Earth on you with the
following:
A. Gravitational pull exerted by you on the Earth.
B. Gravitational pull exerted by the moon on you.
C. Gravitational pull exerted by the Sun on you.

Given:
ME = mass of the Earth = 6.0 x 1024 kg
RE = radius of the Earth = 6.37 x 106 m
MM = mass of the moon = 7.35 x 1022
MS = mass of the Sun = 1.99 x 1030 kg
dM = distance between Moon and you = 384,400 km
dS = distance between Sun and you = 150.95 x 106 km
m = is your mass

Solution:
A. The gravitational pull exerted by the Earth on you, and the gravitational pull exerted
by yoou on the Earth are interaction pairs. Thus, this does not need a calculation as we
can immediately conclude that the magnitude of both gravitational pulls are equal
although the directions are opposite.

8
B. The ratio of gravitational pull of the Earth on you to the gravitational pull of the Moon
on you which is 384,400 km away from you.
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 𝑜𝑓 𝐸 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝐺𝑀𝐸 𝑚/(𝑅𝐸 )2 𝑀𝐸 (𝑑𝑀 )2 (6.0 𝑥 1024 𝑘𝑔)(384,400 𝑘𝑚)2
= = = = 2.98 𝑥 1021
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 𝑜𝑓 𝑀 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝐺𝑀𝑀 𝑚/(𝑑𝑀 )2 𝑀𝑀 (𝑅𝐸 )2 (7.35 x 106 𝑘𝑔)(6.37 x 106 𝑚)2

C. The ratio of gravitational pull of the Earth on you to the gravitational pull of the Sun on
you which is 150.95 x 106 km away from you.
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 𝑜𝑓 𝐸 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝐺𝑀𝐸 𝑚/(𝑅𝐸 )2 𝑀𝐸 (𝑑𝑆 )2 (6.0 𝑥 1024 𝑘𝑔)(150.95 𝑥 106 𝑘𝑚)2
= = = = 1.08 𝑥 107
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑢𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝐺𝑀𝑆 𝑚/(𝑑𝑆 )2 𝑀𝑠 (𝑅𝐸 )2 (1.99 𝑥 1030 𝑘𝑔)(6370 km)2

Gravitational Field
Example 4: Determine the magnitude and direction of the gravitational field strength at
the locations indicated in the following systems:
A. At a distance r from a uniform shell of radius R and mass M where 𝒓 < 𝑹.
B. At a distance r from a uniform shell of radius R and mass M where 𝒓 > 𝑹.

Solution:
A. When 𝑟 < 𝑅, poin P is inside the uniform spherical shell. Hence, the gravitational field
strength at point P is 0.

B. When 𝑟 > 𝑅, point P is outside the uniform spherical shell. Hence, the magnitude of
𝐺𝑀
the gravitational field strength , and the gravitational field is pointed toward the center
𝑟𝑟
of the sphere (in this case it’s convenient to write the unit vector as – r). The gravitational
𝐺𝑀
field strength at point P is therefore 𝑔 = − .
𝑟2

Gravitational Potential Energy and Escape Velocity

Example 5: Calculate the following quantities:
A. Gravitational potential energy of a system composed of two point masses, with
m1 and m2 that are at a distance R apart.
B. Gravitational potential energy of a system composed of four identical point
masses, each with mass m, with the objects located on the four corners of a
square with side s.
C. The gravitational potential energy of a system composed of a perfectly spherical
planet with mass M and radius R and a rocket of mass m when the rocket is on
the surface of the planet.

Solution:
A. The gravitational potential energy of a pair of objects with masses m1 and m2 that are
𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
a distance R apart is 𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = − .
𝑅

B. The gravitational potential energy of a system composed of four identical objects,

each with mass m, with the objects located on the four corners of a square with side s
can be obtained by adding the contribution to the gravitational potential energy of all

9
possible pairs of objects in the system. There are four pairs wherein the objects are on
opposite corners. The gravitational potential energy of this system is therefore given by
𝐺𝑚2 𝐺𝑚2 𝐺𝑚2
𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = −4 −2 = −(4 + √2)
𝑠 √2𝑠 𝑠

C. The gravitational potential energy of a system composed of a perfectly spherical

planet with mass M and radius R and a rocket of mass m when the rocket is on the
surface of the planet is the same as the gravitational potential energy of a system
composed of a pair of point masses M and m that are a distance R apart. Hence,
𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝑈𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣 = −
𝑅

Orbits and Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion

Example 6: An object of mass m makes a circular orbit of radius R around a much more
massive central object of mass M.
A. Calculate the speed v of the orbiting object.
B. Calculate the period of revolution of mass m.
𝑇2
C. Show that objects orbiting mass M along circular paths satisfy = constant, where
𝑅3
the constant depends on the mass, M, of the central object.

Solution:
A. The combination of Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and Newton’s 2nd Law of
Motion for an object moving at a constant speed v along a circular path yields the
relation
𝐺𝑀𝑚 𝑚𝑣 2 𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑀
2
= 𝑜𝑟 𝑣 2 = 𝑜𝑟 𝑣 = √
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 𝑅

B. The period of revolution, T, is the time it takes for the orbiting object to make one
complete orbit. Hence,
2𝜋𝑅 2𝜋𝑅 2𝜋𝑅 3/2
𝑇= = =
𝑣 √𝐺𝑀/𝑅 √𝐺𝑀

4𝜋2 𝑅3
C. Squaring both sides of the period equation in Part B yields 𝑇 2 = . It follows that
𝐺𝑀
𝑇2 4𝜋2 4𝜋2
= . This means that the constant in Kepler’s 3rd Law is constant and that is .
𝑅3 𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑀

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 What I Can Do

Activity 1: Gravitational Acceleration

Calculate the gravitational acceleration on the surface of Jupiter. The planet Jupiter
has a mass of 1.898 x 1027 kg and approximate radius of 6.99 x 104 km.

Activity 2: Potential Energy Loss

A 61.2 kg boy fell 0.5 m out of his bed. How much potential energy is lost?

What’s More
Activity 3: Gravitational Force
The mass of m1 of one of the small sheres of a Cavendish balance is 0.02 kg, the
mass m2 of the nearest large sphere is 0.065 kg, and the center-to-center distance
between them is 0.04 m. Find the gravitational force Fg on each sphere due to the other.

Activity 4: Eris, a giant asteroid in Kuiper Belt

Kuiper Built is a region of leftovers from the solar system’s early history. Eris is the
most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System that also lies in
Kuiper Belt. The average distance of Eris from the Sun is 68 AU. How long does it take Eris
to complete one orbit around the Sun? 1 AU = 1.49 x 108 km. Mass of Eris is 1.672 x 1022 kg.

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 What I Have Learned
Activity 5: Solve the Puzzle
Complete the puzzle by providing the letters that will complete the missing words.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Across:
2 – Kepler’s 1st Law of Planetary Motion
5 – Gravitational field inside of a uniform sphericall
shell
6 – Sum of all gravitational forces acting on the
object

Down:
1 – He first inspired the Law of Universal Gravitation
3 – Initial speed needed for an object to reach
infinity
4 – Kepler’s 2nd Law of Planetary Motion
7 – One fundamental interaction in nature

Activity 6: State the Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion

On a separate sheet of paper, state Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion. Provide
qualitative and quantitative explanation of the laws.

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 Assessment
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. If your mass is 75 kg on Earth, what would your mass be on the Moon that has a lesser
gravitational force?
a. 21 kg c. 75 N
b. 21 lb d. 75 kg

2. With the usual assumption that the gravitational potential energy goes to zero at
infinite distance, the gravitational potential energy due to the Earth at its center is
________________.
a. positive c. zero
b. negative d. undefined

3. A man of mass 100 kg feels a gravitational force from a woman of mass 50 kg sitting
1m way. The gravitational force experienced by the woman will be ________ that
experienced by the man.
a. less than c. the same as
b. more than d. undefined

4. Halfway between Earth’s center and its surface, the gravitational acceleration is
_____________.
a. zero c. g/2
b. g/4 d. 2g

5. The ratio of the mass of the Earth to the mass of the Moon is 81. The magnitude of the
gravitational force that the Earth exerts on the Moon is ____________________________.
a. the same as the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by the Moon on the
Earth.
b. 81 times the gravitational force exerted by the Moon on the Earth.
c. 1/81 of the gravitational force exerted by the Moon on the Earth.
d. 9 times the gravitational force exerted by the Moon on the Earth.

6. In a binary star system consisting of two stars of equal mass, where is the gravitational
potential equal to zero?
a. exactly halfway between the stars
b. along a line bisecting the line connecting the stars
c. infinitely far from the stars
d. none of the above
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7. “All planets move in elliptical orbits where the sun is at one focus.” This statement refers
to Kepler’s ___________ Law of Planetary Motion.
a. First b. Second c. Third d. Fourth

8. What must be the radius of a star of mass 2 x 10 30 kg so that the escape speed from
this star is equal to 2 x 108 m/s?
a. 67 m c. 6700 m
b. 670 m d. 67000 m

9. What is the shape of the planet’s orbit according to Kepler’s First Law of Planetary
Motion?
a. circle b. ellipse c. oblong d. parabola

10. At a given point above Earth’s surface, the acceleration due to gravity is 7.5 m/s2.
What is the altitude of this point from the center of the Earth? Answer in terms of Earth’s
radius R.
a. 0.66R b. 0.77R c. 1R d. 1.25R

11. What is the escape speed of Jupiter whose mass is 1.898 x 1027 kg and radius of 69,911
km? The gravitational constant is 6.67 x 10-11 m3/kg.s2
a. 6.02 x 102 m/s b. 6.02 x 103 m/s c. 6.02 x 104 m/s d. 6.02 x 105 m/s

For questions 12-14, please refer to the problem below:

The binary star Alpha Centauri is composed of Alpha Centauri A with mass m1 =
2.2 x 1030 kg and Alpha Centauri B with mass m2 = 1.814 x 1030 kg. Their separation
distance is approximately 23 AU = 3.43 x 109 km.

12. What is the gravitational force experienced by these two stars relative to each other?
a. 2.26 x 1025 N b. 2.26 x 1026 N c. 2.26 x 1027 N d. 2.26 x 1028 N

13. What is the magnitude of acceleration of Alpha Centauri A?

a. 1.12 x 10-4 m/s2 b. 1.13 x 10-5 m/s2 c. 1.12 x 10-6 m/s2 d. 1.13 x 10-7 m/s2

14. What is the magnitude of acceleration of Alpha Centauri B?

a. 1.22 x 10-2 m/s2 b. 1.23 x 10-3 m/s2 c. 1.24 x 10-4 m/s2 d. 1.25 x 10-5 m/s2

15. What is the mass of a person who weighs 500 N?

a. 50 kg b. 51 kg c. 52 kg d. 53 kg

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 15
What I Know
1. B 6. D 11. D
2. C 7. C 12. D
3. C 8. A 13. B
4. B 9. B 14. B
5. A 10. C 15. B
What I Can Do
Activity 1
gJupiter = 24 m/s2
Activity 2
299.88 Joules
What’s More
Activity 3
5.42 x 10-17 N
Activity 4
558 years
What I Have Learned
Activity 5
Across Down:
2 – ellipses 1 – Galileo
5 – zero 3 - escape
6 – weight 4 – Areas
7 – Gravity
Activity 6
1st Law (Law of Ellipses): All planets move about the sun in elliptical orbits.
2nd Law (Law of Areas): A radius vector joining a planet to the Sun sweeps out
equal areas in equal times.
𝑇2
3rd Law (The Harmonic Law): = constant for all planets in the Solar System
𝑎3
where T is the orbital period of the planet (the time it takes to complete one orbit)
and a is the average distance of the planet from the Sun.
Assessment
1. D 6. C 11. C
2. C 7. A 12. A
3. C 8. C 13. B
4. C 9. B 14. B
5. A 10. D 15. B
Answer Key
 References

Bauer, W. and Westfall, G., 2016. University physics with modern physics. 2nd ed.
McGraw Hill Education.

Esguerra, J.P., Bacabac, R., Cordovilla, J., Roxas-Villanueva, R.M., and Magali, J.K.,
2018. General Physics 1. 1st ed. Prinpia Co., Ltd.

Silverio, A., and Ramos, J.D., 2017. General Physics 1. Phoenix Publishing House.

Urone, P.P., Hinrichs, R., Gozuacik, F., Pattison, D., and Tabor, C., 2020. Physics.
OpenStax Org

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