Chapter 2 Forces and Motion

2.8 Gravity

2.8 Gravity

2.8 Gravity
According to Newton, objects fall because
they are pulled towards the Earth by the
force of gravity.

2.8 Gravity

The pull of gravitational force;

(a)keeps things on the earth.

(b)brings things down to earth when
they are thrown upwards
(c)holds the moon in its orbit round the
Earth
(d)captures returning space capsules
and pulls them into orbit.

2.8 Gravity

The pull of gravity causes objects

to fall with acceleration.
This means that objects that fall
are moving with increasing velocity.

2.8 Gravity

The magnitude of the acceleration

due to gravity depends on the
strength of the gravitational field.
The gravitational field is the region
around the Earth in which an
object experiences a force towards
the centre of the Earth.
Earths gravitational field strength,
g, is about 9.8 N kg-1

2.8 Gravity

Free Fall

An object is falling
freely when it is falling
under the force of
gravity only.
(No air resistance)

2.8 Gravity

Not a free fall

in air due to
air resistance

Free fall
in vacuum

2.8 Gravity

When an object
falls, g = 9.8 m s-2
When an object is
thrown upwards,
g = - 9.8 m s-2
At the highest
point, v = 0

2.8 Gravity
Objects dropped under the influence of the
pull of gravity accelerate at a constant rate.
This acceleration is known as the
gravitational acceleration, g.
The value of g is 9.8 m s-2. In calculation, the
value of g is often taken to be 10 m s-2 for
simplicity.
The acceleration due to gravity does not
depend on the mass and shape of the falling
object.
All objects falling freely with the same
acceleration.

2.8 Gravity

Weight and
Mass

2.8 Gravity
Weight (W) and Mass (m)

2.8 Gravity
Weight (W) and Mass (m)

2.8 Gravity
Weight (W) and Mass (m)

2.8 Gravity
Weight (W) and Mass (m)

2.8 Gravity
Weight (W) and Mass (m)

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

Your weight in an
elevator!!!

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

Your mass = 50 kg

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

Your mass = 50 kg

Acceleration = a

You feel HEAVIER

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

Your mass = 50 kg

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

Your mass = 50 kg

You feel LIGHTER

2.8 Gravity

Weight (W) and Mass (m)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tEkKh
MVoS4

 http://
www.batesville.k12.in.us/physics/ph
ynet/mechanics/newton2/ElevatorProb
lem.html

 http://
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n/newtons-laws-and-weight-mass-gra
vity.html#lesson

1. Subra is standing on a weighing scale inside an

elevator. If Subras mass is 63kg, find the
reading of the weighing scale when the lift,
a. stationary
b. moving upward with a constant velocity,
15 ms-1.,
c. moving upward with a constant acceleration,
1 ms-2.
d. moving downward with a constant acceleration,
2ms-2.
[use g = 10 m/s^2]

(a) W = mg = 63(10) = 630 N

(b) W = mg = 63(10) = 630 N
(c) R = mg + ma = 63(10)+63(1) = 693 N
(d) R = mg - ma = 63(10)-63(2) = 504 N