Gravitational field strength

Gravitational field strength

1. Field patterns

   • radial field
     • magnitude of g decreases with increased distance from larger mass
     • the Earth's grav field over large distances
   • uniform field
     • grav field strength is the same throughout the field.
     • field lines are parallel and equally spaced.
     • the Earth's grav field over small distances

2. unit is Nkg-1

3. defined as the force per unit mass on a small test mass placed in the field

4. vector

5. g = force/mass