Gravity

Gravity

1. Gravitational Potential Energy

   • The energy gained from the potition of a massive object in a gravitational field.
   • GPE=mgh
   • This can be converted to Kinetic Energy when the object falls freely in the gravitational field.

2. Gravitational Potential

   • This is the Gravitational Potential Energy per unit mass.
   • GP is measured in JKg^-1
   • Allows for the Gravitational effect to be compared as it is independent of mass.
   • GP= mgh/m=gh

3. Kinetic Energy

   • KE=1/2 mv^2
   • Energy gained through convertion from gravitational potential energy, which results in the movement/acceleration of the massive object.
   • When an object falls, it looses GPE and gains KE, which is why it accelerates downwards
     • Hence the object will gain as much Kinetic Energy as it loses in Gravitational Potential Energy.

4. Gravitational Potential Difference

   • This is the difference in the Gravitational Potential between 2 points in a gravitational field.
   • This can allow the gravitational field strength to be measured.
   • (d)GP=g(d)h

5. Equation for force of gravity acting is: F=-G m1m2/r^2

   • Large G is the gravitational constant.
   • Little g is the acceleration due to gravity
     • g is independant of the mass of the object being dropped (the small thing). It is only proportional to the mass of the large body it is being attracted to.