Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Learning Outcome:

7.1 Gravitational force and field strength (1 hour)

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Derive and use gravitational field strength.

CHAPTER 7: M
ag  G
r2
Gravitation
 Sketch a graph of ag against r and explain the change in ag
(2 Hours) with altitude and depth from the surface of the earth.

1 4

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Overview: Introduction
• Any 2 bodies with masses can attract each other. This universal effect
is known as Gravitation.
Gravitation
• The force with which one body attracts the other due to their masses
is known as Gravitational force.

Newton’s law Gravitational Gravitational Satellite r

of gravitation field strength potential motion

m1 F F m2

``2 bodies attract each other with a force which is directly

proportional to the product of their masses & inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between their
centers. ``
2

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Learning Outcome:
7.1 Gravitational force and field strength
7.1.1 Newton’s law of gravitation
7.1 Gravitational force and field strength (2 hour)
 States that a magnitude of an attractive force between two
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: point masses is directly proportional to the product of their
 State and use the Newton’s law of gravitation, masses and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them.
Mm OR mathematically,
F G 1
r2 F  Mm and F 
r2
Mm Mm
F  2 F G
 Define gravitational field strength as gravitational force per r r2
unit mass, where
F F : Gravitational force
ag 
m M , m : masses of particle 1 and 2
r : distance between particle 1 and 2
G : Universal gravitatio nal Constant  6.67 x10 11 N m 2 kg 2
3 6

1
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 The statement can also be shown by using the Figure 7.1. Example 7.2 :
m1 m2
What are the magnitude and direction of the net
  gravitational force exerted on the 0.10 kg uniform sphere by
F21 F12 the other two uniform spheres? The centers of all three
spheres are on the same line.
r 10.0 kg
Figure 7.1 5.0 kg
0.10 kg
  mm ●
F21  F12  F  G 1 2 2
r 0.40 m 0.60 m
where

F21 : Gravitational force by particle 2 on particle1 Solution :

F12 : Gravitatio nal force by particle 1 on particle 2
F12 m1 F13
m2 ● m3

7
0.40 m 0.60 m

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 Figures 7.2a and 7.2b show the gravitational force, F varies Force F 12 on 0.1kg sphere from 5.0 kg sphere
with the distance, r.
 Gm 1 m 2 6 . 67  10  11 ( 0 . 1)( 5 . 0 )
F F F 12 
r 12 2

( 0 .4 ) 2
 2 . 08  10  10 N ( to left )

Force F 13 on 0.1kg sphere from 10.0 kg sphere

gradient  GMm  Gm 1 m 3 6 .67  10  11 ( 0 . 1)(10 . 0 )

F 13  
1 r 13 2 ( 0.6) 2
0
Figure 7.2a r 0 Figure 7.2b r2  1 . 85  10  10 N ( to right )
 Notes: Net gravitational force exerted on the 0.10 kg uniform sphere:
 Every spherical object with constant density can be   
reduced to a point mass at the centre of the sphere.  F 1 net   F 12  F 13
 The gravitational forces always attractive in nature and   2 .08  10 10  1 .85  10 10
the forces always act along the line joining the two point
masses.  0.23  10 10 N (to left)
8

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Example 7.1 : Example 7.3 :

What must the separation be between a 5.2 kg particle and A spaceship of mass 9000 kg travels from the Earth to the Moon
a 2.4 kg particle for their gravitational attraction to have a along a line that passes through the Earth’s centre and the Moon’s
magnitude of 2.3 x 10-12 N ? centre. The average distance separating Earth and the Moon is
Solution : 384,000 km. Determine the distance of the spaceship from the
Using: Earth at which the gravitational force due to the Earth twice the
 Gm1 m 2 magnitude of the gravitational force due to the Moon.
F
r2 (Given the mass of the Earth, mE=6.001024 kg, the mass of the
 11 Moon, mM=7.351022 kg and the universal gravitational constant,
 12 6 . 67  10 ( 5 . 2 )( 2 . 4 )
2 . 3  10 
r 2 G=6.671011 N m2 kg2)

8.32  10  10
r2   361.74
2.3  10 12
r  19.02 m
12

2
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Solution : mE  6.00  10 24 kg; mM  7.35  10 22 kg;  The gravitational field in small region near the Earth’s surface
ms  9000 kg; rEM  3.84  108 m are uniform and can be drawn parallel to each other as shown
 in Figure 7.5.
mE 
FEs ms FMs mM
x rEM  x
rEM
Given FEs  2FMs
GmE ms GmM ms
2
x2 rEM  x 2
Figure 7.5
x2 m
 E  The field lines indicate two things:
rEM  x 2 2mM  The arrows – the direction of the field

x2 6.00  10 24 Note:  The spacing – the strength of the field


3.84 10 8
x 
2

2 7.35 10 22  The gravitational field is a conservative field in which the work done
in moving a body from one point to another is independent of
8 the path taken.
x  3.32  10 m 13 16

Chapter 07 Chapter 07
Exercise 7.1 : 
7.1.3 Gravitational field strength, ag
Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2  is defined as the gravitational force per unit mass of a body
1. Four identical masses of 800 kg each are placed at the corners (test mass) placed at a point.
OR
of a square whose side length is 10.0 cm. Determine the nett 
gravitational force on one of the masses, due to the other three.  F
ANS. : 8.2103 N; 45 ag 
2. Three 5.0 kg spheres are located in the xy plane as shown in
m
Figure 8.6.Calculate the magnitude
where F : Gravitational force
of the nett gravitational force
on the sphere at the origin due to ag : Gravitational field strength
the other two spheres. m : mass of a body (test mass)
ANS. : 2.1108 N  It is a vector quantity.
 The S.I. unit of the gravitational field strength is N kg1 or m s2.

Figure 7.6
14 17

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

7.1.2 Gravitational Field  It is also known as gravitational acceleration (the free-fall

acceleration).
 is defined as a region of space surrounding a body that has  Its direction is in the same direction of the gravitational force.
the property of mass where the attractive force is
 Another formula for the gravitational field strength at a point is
experienced if a test mass placed in the region. given by
 Field lines are used to show gravitational field around an object F GMm
with mass.
ag  and F 
g
 For spherical objects (such as the Earth) the field is radial as
m r2
shown in Figure 7.4. 1  GMm 
ag   2 
m r 
GM
ag 
M r2
where
M : mass of the point mass
r : distance between te st mass and point mass
Figure 7.4
15 18

3
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 Figure 7.8 shows the direction of the gravitational field strength Solution :
on a point S at distance r from the centre of the planet. b. 
ag h r  Rh
r  6.40  10 6  350  10 3
ag 
GM r  6.75  10 6 m
r2 The gravitational field strength is given by
M R M GM
ag 
r2

6.67  10 6.00  10
11 24

Figure 7.8 r 6.75  10 

6 2

ag  8.78 m s 2
(Towards the centre of the Earth)

19 22

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 The gravitational field in the small region near the Earth’s Example 7.5 :
surface( r R) are uniform where its strength is 9.81 m s2 and The gravitational field strength on the Earth’s surface is 9.81 N kg1.
its direction can be shown by using the Figure 7.9.
Calculate
GM
ag  g  a. the gravitational field strength at a point C at distance 1.5R from
R2
the Earth’s surface where R is the radius of the Earth.
b. the weight of a rock of mass 2.5 kg at point C.
1
Solution : g  9.81 N kg
a. The gravitational field strength on the Earth’s surface is
GM
g  9.81 N kg 1
R2
The distance of point C from the Earth’s centre is
Figure 7.9
r  R  1.5 R  2.5 R
where R : radius of the Earth
g : gravitational acceleration  9.81 m s 2
20 23

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Example 7.4 : Solution :

Determine the Earth’s gravitational field strength a. Thus the gravitational field strength at point C is given by
a. on the surface. GM GM
ag  ag 
b. at an altitude of 350 km. rC
2
2.5R 2
(Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2, mass of the Earth, 1  GM 
  
M = 6.00  1024 kg and radius of the Earth, R = 6.40  106 m) 6.25  R 2 
Solution : 1
a.  r  R  6.40 10 6 m; a g  g
ag  9.81  1.57 N kg 1
g 6.25
r The gravitational field strength is b. Given m  2.5 kg
(Towards the centre of the Earth)
M GM  11
6.67  10 6.00  10  24
The weight of the rock is W  ma g
R g 
R2 
6.40  106
2
  2.51.57 
g  9.77 N kg 1 OR 9.77 m s 2 W  3.93 N
(Towards the centre of the Earth) (Towards the centre of the Earth)
21 24

4
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Example 7.6 :  By assuming the Earth is a solid sphere and constant

5 km density, hence
M ' V '


M '  43 r 3
 4 3  3
r3 
B
M V M  3 R  R 
A r3
Figure 7.10 M ' 3 M
R
Figure 7.10 shows an object A at a distance of 5 km from the object  Therefore the gravitational field strength inside the Earth is
B. The mass A is four times of the mass B. Determine the location
of a point on the line joining both objects from B at which the nett  r3 
G  3 M 
gravitational field strength is zero. R
ag   2 
r
GM
ag  3 r ag  r
R
25 28

Chapter 07 Chapter 07
3
Solution :r  5  10 m; M A  4M B
A On the Earth ( r = R)
   Figure 7.12 shows a test mass on the Earth’s surface.
a g1 C ag 2 B

rx x M
r r
At point C, a  g nett 0 R
a g1  a g 2
Figure 7.12
GM A GM
 2B  The gravitational field strength on the Earth’s surface is
r  x 2 x
GM
4M B

MB ag   g  9.81 m s  2
R2
5 10 3
x 
2
x2
x  1.67  10 3 m 26 29

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

7.1.4 Variation of gravitational field strength on the

Outside the Earth ( r > R)
distance from the centre of the Earth
 Figure 7.13 shows a test mass which is outside the Earth and at
Inside the Earth ( r < R) a distance r from the centre.
 Figure 7.11 shows a test mass which is inside the Earth and at
distance r from the centre.
M r
M
where
R
M' r M ' : the mass of spherical portion Figure 7.13
of the Earth of radius, r
R  The gravitational field strength outside the Earth is
Figure 7.11
GM 1
ag  ag 
 The gravitational field strength inside the Earth is given by r2 r2
GM '
ag 
r2 27 30

5
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 The variation of gravitational field strength, ag as a function of  Therefore the work done by the external force to bring test
distance from the centre of the Earth, r is shown in Figure 7.14. mass, m from r1 to r2 is
r2 GMm
 dW   Fg dr and Fg  2
r1 r
R GMm
r2
W  dr
r1 r2
r2 1
ag W  GMm  2 dr
r1 r
GM r 2
ag  2  g  1
R W  GMm  
1  r r
ag  1
where
ag  r r2 1 1
Wr1 r2  GMm   r1 : initial distance
0 R
r  r1 r2  r2 : final distance
Figure 7.14 31 34

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Learning Outcome: 7.2.2 Gravitational potential, V

 at a point is defined as the work done by a gravitational force
7.2 Gravitational potential (1 hour) in bringing a test mass from infinity to a point per unit the
test mass.
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: OR mathematically, V is written as:
 Define gravitational potential in a gravitational field.
where
 Derive and use the formulae, W m : mass of the test mass
V
GM m V : gravitational potential at a point
V  W : work done in bringing a test mass
r from infinity to a point
 It is a scalar quantity.
 Sketch the variation of gravitational potential, V with Its SI unit is
distance r from the surface of the earth.
 W mas
V   as
m m
unit of V   m s 2   m 
 m 2 s 2 OR J kg 1
32 35

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 Another formula for the gravitational potential at a point is given

7.2 Gravitational potential by
W 1 1
7.2.1 Work done by the external force V  and W  GMm  
 m r r 
 Consider an external force, F F  1 2
is required to bring a test m dr 
GMm 1 1 
 V    where r1   and r2  r
mass, m from r1 to r2 ,
as shown in Figure 7.15.
Fg
r1 r m  r1 r2 
2
 At the distance r2 from the GMm  1 1 
centre of the Earth, V   
F  Fg m  r
 The work done by the M GM where
external force through V  r : distance between the point
the small displacement r and the point mass, M

dr is dW  Fdr cos 0
dW  Fg dr Figure 7.15
33 36

6
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 The gravitational potential difference between point A and B Example 7.7 :

(VAB ) in the Earth’s gravitational field is defined as the work When in orbit, a satellite attracts the Earth with a force of 19 kN
done in bringing a test mass from point B to point A per and the satellite’s gravitational potential due to the Earth is
unit the test mass. 5.45107 J kg1.
OR mathematically, VAB is written as: a. Calculate the satellite’s distance from the Earth’s surface.
b. Determine the satellite’s mass.
WBA (Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2, mass of the Earth,
VAB   VA -VB
m M = 5.981024 kg and radius of the Earth , R = 6.38106 m)
where
Solution : Fg  19 10 3 N; V  5.45  10 7 J kg 1
WBA : work done in bringing the test mass 
from point B to point A. Fg h
VA : gravitatio nal potential at point A r
VB : gravitational potential at point B R

37 40

Chapter 07 Chapter 07
3
Solution : F  19  10 N; V  5.45  10 J kg 7 1
 Figure 7.16 shows two points A and B at a distance rA and rB g
from the centre of the Earth respectively in the Earth’s a. By using the formulae of gravitational potential, thus
gravitational field. GM
V 
A  The gravitational potential r

rA
difference between the points A
and B is given by  5.45  10 7  
6.67  10 5.98 10 
11 24

B r
VAB  V A  VB r  7 .32  10 6 m
rB
M  GM   GM  Therefore the satellite’s distance from the Earth’s surface is
VAB        
r  hR
 rA   rB 
7.32  10 6  h  6.38  10 6
1 1 h  9.4  10 5 m
Figure 7.16 VAB  GM   
 rB rA 

38 41

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

 The gravitational potential difference between point B and A in Solution : F  19  10 3 N; V  5.45  10 7

g J kg 1
the Earth’s gravitational field is given by b. From the Newton’s law of gravitation, hence
WAB GMm
VBA  VB  VA  Fg 
m r2
 The variation of gravitational potential, V when the test mass, m
move away from the Earth’s surface is illustrated by the graph 19  10 3 
6.67 10 5.98 10 m
11 24

in Figure 7.17.
V 7.32 10  6 2

0 r m  2552 kg
R
1
V
r
Figure 7.17
Note:
GM
  The gravitational potential at infinity is
R zero. V 0
39 42

7
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Example 7.8 :
7.3 Satellite motion in a circular orbit
The gravitational potential at the surface of a planet of radius R is
12.8 MJ kg1. Determine the work done in overcoming the
7.3.1 Tangential (linear/orbital) velocity, v
gravitational force when a space probe of mass 1000 kg is lifted to  Consider a satellite of mass, m travelling around the Earth of
a height of 2R from the surface of the planet. mass, M, radius, R, in a circular orbit of radius, r with constant
Solution : m  10 00 kg; r1  R tangential (orbital) speed, v as shown in Figure 7.18.

R
r1 m
M h  2R
r2

On the surface of the planet, the gravitational potential is

GM GM
V   12.8  10 6  
r1 R
GM
 12.8  10 6 Figure 7.18
R 43 46

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Solution : m  10 00 kg; r1  R  The centripetal force, Fc is contributed by the gravitational force

The final distance of the space probe from the centre of the Earth of attraction, Fg exerted on the satellite by the Earth.
is r2  R  h  3R
The work done required is given by
Fg  Fc  mac
1 1 GMm mv2
W  GMm   
 r1 r2  r2 r
Hence the tangential velocity, v is given by
1 1 
 GMm   GM
 R 3R  v
2m  GM  r
  
3  R  where r : distance of the satellite from
the centre of the Earth
21000 

3

12.8  10 6  M : mass of the Earth
G: universal gravitational constant
W  8.53  10 9 J 44 47

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Learning Outcome:  For a satellite close to the Earth’s surface,

rR and GM  gR 2
7.3 Satellite motion in a circular orbit (2 hour) Therefore
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: v  gR
 Explain and use equation for satellite motion :
 velocity,  The relationship between tangential velocity and angular
v
GM velocity is 2r
r v  r 
 period,
T
Hence , the period, T of the satellite orbits around the Earth is
r3 given by
T  2
GM 2r GM r3
 T  2
T r GM

45 48

8
 Chapter 07 Chapter 07

7.3.2 Synchronous (Geostationary) Satellite Solution : m  800 kg

 Figure 7.19 shows a synchronous (geostationary) satellite which b. By applying the equation for satellite’s speed, thus
stays above the same point on the equator of the Earth.
GM
v
r2


 6.67 10  6.00 10 
 11 24

6
9.03 10
Figure 7.19
 The satellite have the following characteristics: v  6.66  10 m s 1
3

 It revolves in the same direction as the Earth.

 It rotates with the same period of rotation as that of the Earth
(24 hours).
 It moves directly above the equator.
 The centre of a synchronous satellite orbit is the centre of
the Earth.
 It is used as a communication satellite.
49 52

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Example 7.9 : Example 7.10 :

The weight of a satellite in a circular orbit round the Earth is half of The radius of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is r and the period
its weight on the surface of the Earth. If the mass of the satellite is of the orbit is 27.3 days. The masses of the Earth and Moon are
800 kg, determine 6.0  1024 kg and 7.4  1022 kg respectively. Calculate the radius
a. the altitude of the satellite, of the Moon orbit.
24 22
b. the speed of the satellite in the orbit, Solution : M  6.0 10 kg; m  7.4  10 kg;
(Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2, mass of the Earth, The period of the moon is
T  27.3246060  2.36  10 s
6
M = 6.001024 kg, and radius of the Earth , R = 6.40106 m)
The radius of the Moon orbit ,r is
r3
T  2
GM
r3
2.36  106  2
6.67 10 6.0 10 
11 24

8
50 r  3.84  10 m 53

Chapter 07 Chapter 07

Solution : m  800 kg Exercise 7.2 :

1
2 v? a. Apply: W2 W1 Given G = 6.671011 N m2 kg2
2 1. A satellite revolves round the Earth in a circular orbit whose
h? 1 radius is five times that of the radius of the Earth. The
r2 mag  mg gravitational field strength at the surface of the Earth is
1 2
9.81 N kg1. Determine
r1  R GM 1
2
 g a. the tangential speed of the satellite in the orbit,
r2 2 b. the angular frequency of the satellite.
R
M 6.67 10 6.00 10   1 9.81
11 24 (Given radius of the Earth , R = 6.38  106 m)
2 ANS. : 3538 m s1 ; 1.11104 rad s1
r2 2
r2  9.03  10 6 m
Thus the altitude of the satellite, h is
h  r2  r1
 9 .03  10 6  6.40 10 6
h  2.63  10 6 m 51 54

9
 Chapter 07

2. A geostationary satellite of mass 2400 kg is placed

35.92 Mm from the Earth’s surface orbits the Earth along a
circular path.
Determine
a. the angular velocity of the satellite,
b. the tangential speed of the satellite,
c. the acceleration of the satellite,
d. the force of attraction between the Earth and the satellite,
e. the mass of the Earth.
(Given radius of the Earth , R = 6.38  106 m)
ANS. : 7.27105 rad s1; 3.08103 m s1; 0.224 m s2;
537 N ; 6.001024 kg

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