Preliminary Physics I - Gravitation

The time it takes for a satellite to complete one orbit around Earth, which is 24 hours.

The rate at which a geostationary satellite rotates around Earth, equal to the Earth's rotation rate (2π/24 hrs).

The distance from Earth's center to a geostationary satellite; calculated by setting the centripetal force equal to the gravitational force.

Every object attracts every other object with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

The force that keeps an object moving in a circular path.

The force of attraction between two objects with mass.

The universal gravitational constant, a fundamental physical constant linking the gravitational force to the masses and distance between them.

Applications of stationary satellites include weather monitoring, television transmission, and phone communication.

The force of attraction between any two objects with mass.

Falling under the sole influence of gravity. No air resistance.

The rate at which an object's velocity changes due to gravity.

A constant in the law of universal gravitation that determines the strength of gravity.

The calculation of the force between the Earth and the Moon.

The force that opposes the motion of an object through the air.

𝐹 = − 𝐺𝑀𝑚/𝑟^2

Demonstrating that objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum, ignoring air resistance.

A region around a massive object where a force acts on objects with mass.

Force per unit mass at a point in a gravitational field.

The force of attraction between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.

Lines used to visualize a gravitational field. Closer lines mean a stronger field.

The equation is defined as F/m, where F is the force and m is the mass. Units are N/kg

Radial and approximately uniform at the Earth's surface.

An orbit where a satellite stays above the same point on Earth.

Gravitational force on a mass near the surface of a planet.

The force per unit mass experienced by an object due to gravity.

The force of attraction between any two objects with mass.

The force that keeps an object moving in a circular path.

The force between two objects is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Earth pulls on an apple, but the apple also pulls on the Earth.

The force that keeps planets in orbit, such as the moon around Earth.

Explanation of the force of attraction between objects.

Force required for an object's motion in a curve.

The force of attraction between two masses (m1 and m2) is calculated as F = -G * m1 * m2 / r^2, where G is the gravitational constant and r is the distance between the centers of the masses.

A fundamental constant in physics that determines the strength of the gravitational force between two objects.

The gravitational force experienced by a unit mass at a point in space.

The gravitational field strength at the Earth's surface, approximately 9.81 N/kg.

Gravitational fields that emanate outward from a central point of mass.

The motion of planets around a star (e.g., the Earth around the Sun) due to gravitational forces.

The centripetal force needed for circular motion is provided by the gravitational force in planetary orbits.

A force of attraction that exists between any two objects with mass.

The force that opposes the movement of an object through the air.

Falling only under the influence of gravity (no air resistance).

The upward force exerted by a fluid (like water) on an object.

Another name for the buoyant force.

How much mass is in a given volume of an object.

An object floats if its density is less than the density of the fluid it's in.

An object sinks if its density is greater than the density of the fluid it's in.

Independent of mass; all objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum.