13.

GRAVITATIONAL
FIELD

▪ Gravitational field
▪ Gravitational force between point masses
▪ Gravitational field strength of a point mass
▪ Gravitational potential
 1. Defining
Gravitational Field
• There is a force of attraction between all masses.
• This force is known as the ‘force due to gravity’ or the weight
• The Earth’s gravitational field is responsible for the weight of
all objects on Earth
• A gravitational field is defined as:
A region of space where a mass experiences a force due to the
gravitational attraction of another mass
• The direction of the gravitational field is always towards the
centre of the mass.
• Gravitational forces cannot be repulsive
 Gravitational Field
▪ The strength of this gravitational field (g) at a point is the force (Fg) per
unit mass (m) of an object at that point:

• This equations tells us:

• On planets with a large value of g, the gravitational force per unit mass is greater
than on planets with a smaller value of g
On such planets such
as Jupiter, an object's
mass remains the same
at all points in space.
However, their weight
will be a lot greater
meaning for example, a
human will be unable
to fully stand up.
 Representing
Gravitational
Attraction
Field
• The direction of a gravitational
field is represented by
gravitational field lines.
• The gravitational field lines
around a point mass are radially
inwards.
• Gravitational force gets weaker
as mass get further away from
the Earth’s surface…
• Field lines shows that all
objects are attracted
towards the centre of the
earth.
• Arrows : direction of
gravitational force on a
Lines mass placed in the field.
• Spacing: strength of the
gravitational field.
• Earth behaves as a point
Point
mass (its entire mass was
mass
concentrated at its centre.
Gravitational
Field Lines Earth’s gravitational field:

Radial Uniform

Gravitational field on Earth’s surface

Field lines diverge (radially was treated to be directed downwards
inward towards the centre everywhere (lines are parallel & evenly
of the Earths) spaced).

The strength are same at all

points on Earth’s surface.
 Point Mass Approximation
• For a point outside a uniform sphere, the mass
of the sphere may be considered to be a point
mass at its centre
• A uniform sphere is one where its mass
is distributed evenly
• The gravitational field lines around a uniform
sphere are therefore identical to those
around a point mass
• An object can be regarded as point mass
when:
• A body covers a very large distance as
compared to its size, so, to study its motion,
its size or dimensions can be neglected
• An example of this is field lines around
planets.
• Radial fields are considered non-uniform fields
• So, the gravitational field strength g is
different depending on how far you are from
the centre of mass of the sphere.
2. Gravitational Force Between Point Masses -
Newton's Law of Gravitation
The further away a mass from a planet, the weaker its pull.

Field lines a spread out over a

greater surface area at a
greater distance,
 Non-contact force

Recall
forces
acting on
the body

Contact force
 Example 1
A satellite with mass 6500 kg is
orbiting the Earth at 2000 km above
the Earth's surface. The gravitational
force between them is 37
kN.Calculate the mass of the Earth.
Radius of the Earth = 6400 km.
Example 2
What is the force of attraction between two giant ships each of
mass 100 000 tonnes, 50 m apart? (1 ton = 1000 kg)

Answer :

F = - 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2 x 1 x 108 kg x 1 x 108 kg

50 m x 50 m
= (-) 267 N
Exercise 1
Calculate the gravitational force of attraction between:

1. Two objects separated by a distance of 1.0 cm and each having

a mass of 100 g.
2. Two asteroids separated by a distance of 4.0 x 109 m and each
having a mass of 5.0 x 1010 kg.
3. A satellite of mass 1.4 x 104 kg orbiting the Earth at a distance
of 6800 km from the Earth’s centre. (ME = 6.0 x 1024 kg)
Circular Orbits in Gravitational Fields
• Since most planets and satellites have a near circular orbit, the gravitational force FG between the
sun or another planet provides the centripetal force needed to stay in an orbit
• Both the gravitational force and centripetal force are perpendicular to the direction of travel of
the planet
• Consider a satellite with mass m orbiting Earth with mass M at a distance r from the centre
travelling with linear speed v

• Equating the gravitational force to the centripetal force for a planet or satellite in orbit gives:

• The mass of the satellite m will cancel out on both sides to give: (1)
▪ This means that all satellites, whatever their mass, will travel at the
same speed v in a particular orbit radius r. Eg: orbital speed.
▪ Recall that since the direction of a planet orbiting in circular motion is
constantly changing, it has centripetal acceleration.
 Kepler’s Third Law of Planetary Motion
• The orbital period, T is the time taken for a complete orbit.
• The linear speed v can be written as:
• Substituting the value of the linear speed v into equation (1):

• Rearranging leads to Kepler’s third law equation:

▪ The equation shows that the orbital period T is related to the radius r of the orbit. This is
known as Kepler’s third law:
For planets or satellites in a circular orbit about the same central body, the square of the
time period is proportional to the cube of the radius of the orbit
 Example 3
Calculate the distance above
the Earth's surface that a
geostationary satellite will
orbit. Mass of the Earth =
6.0 × 1024 kg. Radius of the
Earth = 6400 km.
W 2010 43
Exercise 2
A space probe moving at a speed of 3.2 km s-1 is in a circular orbit about a
planet of mass M. The time period of the satellite is 110 minutes.
Calculate
a. the radius of the orbit
b. the centripetal acceleration of the satellite
c. the mass of the planet.
Geostationary Orbits
 It is a special type of orbit.

For satellites positioned on this orbit, as it orbits, the Earth orbits

below it at the same rate.
The satellite remains above a fixed point on the Earth’s
equator.

Orbital period is 24 hours.

Geostationary Satellite orbits the Earth from west to east.

Orbits
Satellites in this orbit are used for telecommunication purposes.

Satellite receiver dishes point at a fixed point because the satellite is

in a geostationary orbit.
 Polar Orbits
Used for surface
observation &
weather satellite. Not always in the
Travel from pole same position
to pole, shorter relative to the
period of orbit. Earth, dishes
must be moved.

Closer to Earth
~90-100 minutes
than
to complete one
geostationary
orbit.
satellite.
Example 4
A communications satellite is to be placed in a circular geostationary
orbit. What must its radius and speed be?
a = ω2 r
 Answer :
g = -GM/r2
We need the satellite to be traveling
at a sufficient forwards velocity so → ω2r = GM/r2
that it completes ONE orbit every 24
hours. → r3 = -GM
ω = 2π f = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-1 x 6.0 x 1024 kg
f = ____1_____ = 1.16 x 10-5 Hz (7.27 x 10-5 Hz)2
24 x 60 x 60
= 7.57 x 1022 m3
→ω = 2 x π x 1.16 x 10-5 Hz → r = 3√ 7.55 x 1022 m3 = 4.23 × 107 m
= 7.27 x 10-5 rad / s. velocity:
v = ωr = 7.27 x 10-5 rad/s x 4.24 x 107 m = 3100 m s-1
 Facts
• Motion of Masses in Gravitational Fields:
1. Newton’s Laws of Gravitation can be used to explain the motion
of planets and stars.
2. Orbiting satellites are NOT doing gravity defiance acts; instead
they are actually falling in a curved path towards the Earth all the
time. However they have a sufficient forwards velocity to miss
the Earth all the time.
3. Since the gravity field is radial, the force acts at 90o to the
direction of travel all the time. Therefore the path is circular.
4. If we stopped gravity, the satellite would fly off tangentially into
space in a straight line. If we stopped the satellite, it would fall
straight back to Earth.
 3. Gravitational Field of a Point Mass
𝐺𝑀
𝑔= 2
• The gravitational field strength at a point 𝑟
describes how strong or weak a gravitational 1. Symbol: g (9.81 N kg-1 /9.81 m s-1)
field is at that point.
2. g is not constant. It decreases as
• The gravitational field strength due to a point distance r increases.
mass can be derived from combining the
3. At the top of Mount Everest, g
equations for Newton’s law of gravitation and
decreases by only 0.3%.
gravitational field strength.
“The gravitational field strength at a point is the
gravitational force exerted per unit mass on a
small object placed at that point”
 Gravitational Field
Strength

• Gravitational field strength, g, is a vector quantity

• The direction of g is always towards the centre of
the body creating the gravitational field
• This is the same direction as the
gravitational field lines
• On the Earth’s surface, g has a constant value of
9.81 N kg-1
• However, outside the Earth’s surface, g is not
constant
• g decreases as r increases by a factor of 1/r2
• This is an inverse square law
relationship with distance
Example 5
Assuming the Earth to be a perfect sphere, find its mean density using the
following data:
g = 9.81 N kg-1 from g = GM
r2
rE = 6.37 x 106 m M = gr2 = 9.81 N kg-1 x (6.37 x 106 m)2 = 5.96 x 1024 kg

–11 G 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2 kg-2

G = 6.67 x 10 N m2 kg-2
Volume of the Earth V = 4/3 πr3:
V = 4 x π x (6.37 x 106 m)3 = 1.083 x 1021 m3
3

Density = 5.96 x 1024 kg = 5500 kg m-3

1.083 x 1021 m3
 Exercise 3
A satellite is 4000 km above the Earth's surface. What is the acceleration due to gravity at
this point?
Mass of Earth = 6.0 x 1024 kg, radius of Earth = 6.37 x 106 m.
Use g = GM
r2

4000 km = 4 × 106 m
→ r = 4 × 106 m + 6.37 x 106 m = 10.37 × 106 m

g = 6.67 x 10 –11 Nm2 kg-2 × 6.0 × 1024 kg

(10.37 × 106 m)2

g = 3.72 m s-2
W 2010 41
4. Gravitational Potential
• The gravitational potential energy (G.P.E) is the energy an object has when lifted off the
ground given by the familiar equation:
• The G.P.E on the surface of the Earth is taken to be 0
• This means work is done to lift the object
• However, outside the Earth’s surface, G.P.E can be defined as:
The energy an object possess due to its position in a gravitational field
• The gravitational potential at a point is the gravitational potential energy per unit mass at
that point
• Therefore, the gravitational potential is defined as:
The work done per unit mass in bringing a test mass from infinity to a defined point
 Calculating Gravitational Potential
▪ The equation for gravitational potential
ɸ is defined by the mass M and
distance r:
𝑮𝑴
𝝓=−
𝒓
▪ This tell us the g.p.e per unit mass at the
point.
▪ Minus sign: when a mass is brought
toward another mass, its g.p.e
Scalar quantity
decreases. Unit J kg-1
Gravitational Potential Energy Between Two Point Masses

• The gravitational potential energy (G.P.E) at point in a gravitational field is defined as:

The work done in bringing a mass from infinity to that point

• The equation for G.P.E of two point masses m and M at a distance r is:

• The change in G.P.E is given by:

Change in GPE vs
Change in Gravitational
Potential Φ

▪ The change in G.P.E from for an object of

mass m at a distance r1 from the centre of
mass M, to a distance of r2 further away is:

▪ The change in potential Δɸ is the same,

without the mass of the object m:
 Gravitational potential
(cont.)
• The gravitational potential is negative near an isolated
mass, such as a planet, because the potential when r is at
infinity is defined as 0
• Gravitational forces are always attractive so as r decreases,
positive work is done by the mass when moving from
infinity to that point
• When a mass is closer to a planet, its gravitational
potential becomes smaller (more negative)
• As a mass moves away from a planet, its
gravitational potential becomes larger (less
negative) until it reaches 0 at infinity
• This means when the distance (r) becomes very large, the
gravitational force tends rapidly towards 0 at a point
further away from a planet
 Trilogy: picture a spacecraft coming from a distant
star to visit the solar system.
2. Away from Earth, it has to work
potential against the pull of gravity. g.p.e
increases. Thus potential increases.
distance
Potential = 0

1. Craft is attracted to the Earth. The

closer it is to Earth, the lower its
g.p.e, thus lower its potential.

3. As it approach the sun, it is attracted into much deeper well.

Msun is greater than mEarth.
Its pull is much stronger.
Potential at the surface of the sun is more negative compared to Earth.
Example 6

A planet has a diameter

of 6800 km and a mass of
4.9 x 1023 kg. A rock of
mass 200 kg, initially at
rest and a long distance
from the planet,
accelerates towards the
planet and hits the
surface of the planet.
Calculate
a. the change in
potential energy of
the rock
b. its speed when it
hits the surface.
S 2014 41