m1m2 F G 2 r

Two students of masses 50 kg and 40 kg are seated 0.50 m apart. Calculate the gravitational force between them. Hence explain why the students are not accelerated towards each other. Too small to Solution : overcome the (6.67 x 10-11)(50)(40) frictional forces = between the (0.50)2 students and the -7 N = 5.34 x 10 surface they are on.

The concentration of gravitational field lines is an indication of the gravitational field strength at any point, which is formally defined as: The gravitational force per unit mass at that point.

The gravitational force per unit mass at that point. So we can write that statement as: g = gravitational force = F mass m [Units newtons per kilogram (N/kg)] You will have met the expression F/m in the context of a = F/m, so it doesnt take a genius to see that gravitational field strength is the same thing as acceleration. A gravitational field strength of 9.81 N/kg causes an acceleration of 9.81 m/s2.

r>R

g = GM R2 R r r>R g R 0 - GM R2 r r g

r<R New sphere r

?
g = GM r2 GV = r2

G(4/3 r3) = r2
=
4/ 3

Gr

r<R g = GM R2 GV = R2

?
g = GM r2 GV = r2

=
Original sphere =

G(4/
4/

3 R2

R3)

G(4/3 r3) = r2
=
4/ 3

3 GR

Gr

Equation2 r=R

Equation1 r<R

r<R Equation1 ; Equation2 4/ Gr g 3 = g 4/ GR

3

?
g = GM r2 GV = r2

g = GM R2 GV = R2

g =

r g R

=
=

G(4/
4/

3 R2

R3)

G(4/3 r3) = r2
=
4/ 3

3 GR

Gr

g r

Equation2

Equation1

r<R Equation1 ; Equation2 4/ Gr g 3 = g 4/ GR

3

?
R

g 0

g =

r g R

- GM R2

g r

To find the Mass of the earth : g = GM r2 M = gr2 G = (9.81)(6.40 x 106)2 6.67 x 10-11 = 6.02 x 1024 kg

To find density of the earth: = M V = 6.02 x 1024 4/ r3 3 = 6.02 x 1024 4/ (6.4 x 106)3 3

= 5.48 x 103 kg m-3

Gravitational Field
Variation of gravitational field strength, g with r, the distance from the centre of the Earth

Earth is not a perfect sphere Rotation of the Earth about its axis

Alternate angle Parallel lines

Radius = R

mg
mg

When an object is projected vertically upwards at the equator with a certain velocity, the object reaches a maximum height h. If the object is projected from the North-pole with the same velocity, what is the maximum height reached? [Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m s-2, radius of the Earth = 6.4 x 106 m]

h=? u

v2 = u2 + 2as

North
equator u

v=0

0 = u2 + 2(-g)h u2 h= 2g u2 = 2(9.81)

g at the equator given as 9.81

h=? u

g = g
9.81 = g R2 g = 9.81+ (6.4x106) 2 24x60x60
2

North
equator

g = 9.844 m s-2 Recall At the equator : g = g R2 At the pole: g = g

24 h = 2 rad 1s x rad

h=? u

g = g
9.81 = g R2 g = 9.81+ (6.4x106) 2 24x60x60
2

North
equator

g = 9.844 m s-2 Therefore : u2 u2 h = = 2g 2(9.844)

u2 h = 2(9.81) equation2 ; equation1

u2 h = 2(9.844)

u2 h = 2(9.844) h u2 2(9.81)
= 9.81 9.844

h = 0.9965h

A spherical planet of radius 6.4 x 106 m rotates about its axis at the rate of one revolution a day. The speed of rotation is then increased. What is the speed of rotation of the planet when bodies at its equator start to escape into space? [Acceleration due to gravity at the pole of the planet = 10 m s-2, ]

=?

Start to escape : g = 0
Therefore : 0 = g R2 = = g R 10 6.4x106

= 1.25 x 10-3 rad s-1

Recall At the equator : g = g R2 At the pole: g = g

Change in potential Energy = dU

W = Fs dU = Fdr

W = change in potential energy

GMm dr r2 dU = GMm dr r2 = U = GMm

r

Gravitational Potential Energy U = GMm r Negative sign is important

-2 dr

= GMm [- r -1] =

1+ 1 GMm r

= GMm r

GM = dV dr r2

dV =

GM

r -2 dr

V = - GM Eq. 1 r V = - GM Eq. 2 2r Eq. 1 ; Eq. 2 -GM V = r V -GM 2r V = V

U = mgh is a special case for U = - GMm/r for situations near the earths surface.

U = - GMm R
dU = GMm dR R2 dU = GMm dR R2 dU = mg dR

Because on the surface of the earth

U = mgh

mv2 = r v2

GMm r2

GM = r GM r shown

v =

GM = 2 r3 GM = 2 r3 T GM = 42 r3 T2

constant

Keplers Third Law

Keplers Laws of Satellite Motion

(1) Satellites travel in elliptical paths. (The Earth and the inner planets as well as the moon travel in nearly circular orbits. The orbits of the outer planets are more ellipsoid. Comets orbits are very elliptical.) (2) Areas swept out in equal times are equal even though the speed of the satellite varies. Satellite velocity is least when it is furthest from the central body (apogee) and greatest when it is nearest (perigee). (3) The period of motion squared divided by the average orbital radius cubed gives a constant for all satellites orbiting the same body. ( T21/ r31 = T22/ r32)

Velocity increases (perigee)

Velocity decreases (apogee)

Equal Areas In Equal Times

Another example of weightlessness :

lift

aperson = alift =g

Earth

A satellite is a projectile shot from a very high elevation and is in free fall about the Earth.

Velocity required to leave the Earths gravity field

Use principle of conservation of energy : Initial KE = Gain in Gravitational Potential Energy mve2 = U UR GMm R = 0

g = GM R2

= GMm R ve = 2GM R

2gR2 R

2gR

Multi-stage rocket :

Advantages :
Escape velocity can be achieved faster Save fuel
Earth

Empty fuel container is ejected to reduce weight

Gravitation & Satellite Problems (a)What is the velocity of a satellite 5000 km above
the Earth? (b)What is it period of rotation ?
5000 km

Re

r = re + h me = 6 x 10 24 kg Re = 6.4 x 10 6 m

(a) v2 = G me , v = G me 1/2 r r v = (6.67 x 10-11 )(6 x 1024) 1/2 (6.4 x 106 + 5 x 106) V = 5900 m/s (b) v = 2 r / T, T = 2 r/ v

( ) )

T = 2 (11.4 x 106) / 5900 = 1.2 x 104 sec = 3.4 hr.

 = 2f v = 2 r T T = 2r v
back

What velocity must a rocket be launched from the surface of the earth so that it will not fall back to the earth?

ve = 2gR = 2(9.81)(6.4x106)

= 11 km s-1

Advantage: Fixed aerials Tsatellite = Tearth r

Earth

Both are in the same direction Same plane as the equator

Gravitational force = centripetal force GMm = mr2 r2 r=? GM T 2 3 r = 2 r3 = (9.81)(6.4x106)2(24x60x60)2 42 gR2 T 2 = 2 r = 4.24 x 107 m = 6.6R

One of the advantages of geostationary satellites is that imagery is obtained and displayed constantly, compared to imagery transmitted more sporadically by low Earth-orbiting platforms. Most satellites serve one or more functions: Communications Navigation Weather Forecasting