Studied by 6 people
Gravitational field strength
the gravitational force per unit mass at that point
F = mg
Gravitational Field
A region of space where a mass will experience a force
Newton’s Law of Gravitation
any two masses attract each other with a force proportional ti
Attractive force (F)
F = GmM/r²
Gravitational Field of a point mass
g = GM/r²
Orbital Mechanics
The gravitational pull on a satellite provides the centripetal force to keep the satellite in orbit.
Formula of Orbital velocity
v² = GM/r
Formula of Orbital Period
T² = 4π²r³/GM
Features of Geostationary orbits
A satellite orbits the Earth directly above the equator.
If the satellite orbits in the same direction as the Earth spins and has an orbital period of 24 hours, it will remain over the same point above the Earth’s surface.
Used for communication satellites.
Gravitational potential
Gravitational potential at a point is the work done per unit mass in bringing a unit mass from infinity to that point.
Formula for gravitational potential
Φ = -GM/r
Why is Gravitational Potential negative?
Because as a mass is brought closer to M its gravitational potential energy decreases. (GPE is defined as zero at infinity)
Formula for Gravitational Potential Energy of two isolated point masses
Ep = -GMm/r
