Gr10 Rev Ch03 02 WA
Gr10 Rev Ch03 02 WA
Gr10 Rev Ch03 02 WA
F21 F12
r21 m2
m1
r
F12 = the gravitational force exerted by the first body on the second body
2 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes Dr Vince
F21 = the gravitational force exerted by the second body on the first body
2. Express Newton’s Gravitational Law in vector form. Explain the meaning of the sign in it.
Gm1m2
F21 r̂21
r212
where F21 = the gravitational force exerted by the second body on the first body,
m1, m2 = masses of the two bodies, r21 = distance between the two bodies.
r21
rˆ21 = the unit vector directed from the second body to the first body
r21
Minus sign indicates the force is attractive.
3. The sun contains some gases. Which force holds the gases in the sun?
Gravitational force
4. If you throw up a ball in air, the ball comes down again. Which force causes this effect?
Gravitational force
5. The distance between two bodies is doubled. Predict what will happen to the gravitational force between them.
m1m2
By Newton’s gravitational law, F G
r2
m1m2 1
F G F
2r
2 4
The force will decrease to ¼ of the original value.
6. Is there gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth? Explain.
Yes. They have masses and there is a certain distance between them.
7. Explain the effects of gravitational force.
The gravitational force causes bodies which are above the earth's surface to fall onto the earth's surface.
The gravitational force enables the moon to go round the earth.
The gravitational force enables the earth to go round the sun.
8. Explain some applications of gravitational force.
Tides: The attraction of the moon and the sun upon water of the earth causes tides.
Orbits of satellites round the earth: Satellites are kept in their circular orbit by the gravitational
attraction of the earth.
9. Does gravitational force enable a body to go circular motion?
Yes.
The gravitational force enables the earth to go round the sun.
C03-Q02-D: Calculations.
1. Express the value of G in the CGS units.
G = 6.67 10-8 cm3 g-1 s-2
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Revisions 3
2. Calculate the gravitational force between: (i) the Earth and the Moon (ii) the Sun and Jupiter
[mearth = 6 1024 kg, mmoon = 7.4 1022 kg, msun = 1.988 1030 kg, mjupiter = 1.9 1027 kg,
dearth-moon = 3.8 108 m, dsun-jupiter = 7.78 1011 m]
By Newton’s gravitational law,