Physics Advanced Mechanics: Motion in Gravitational Fields - Gravitational Force

This video tutorial covers Module 5 of Advanced Mechanics, focusing on motion in gravitational fields. It explains the concept of gravitational force, its calculation using Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the importance of distance in these calculations. The tutorial also discusses proportionality in gravitational force and provides sample questions to illustrate these concepts. Key points include the vector nature of force, the significance of mass and distance, and common calculation errors.

What is the nature of the gravitational force between two objects with mass?

• Variable

• Neutral

• Attractive

• Repulsive

According to Newton's third law, what happens when a cow exerts a gravitational force on a duck?

• The duck exerts a smaller force on the cow

• The duck exerts an equal and opposite force on the cow

• The duck exerts no force on the cow

• The duck exerts a larger force on the cow

How does the gravitational force on an object change when it is at the altitude of the International Space Station compared to the Earth's surface?

• It becomes zero

• It decreases

• It increases

• It remains the same

What is the correct way to measure the distance R in the gravitational force equation?

• From the center of one object to the center of another

• From the top of one object to the bottom of another

• From the edge of one object to the edge of another

• From the surface of one object to the surface of another

What happens to the gravitational force if the distance between two objects is doubled?

• It remains the same

• It decreases by a factor of four

• It halves

• It doubles

If the mass of one object is doubled, what happens to the gravitational force between two objects?

• It doubles

• It quadruples

• It remains the same

• It halves

In a calculation involving gravitational force, what is a common mistake to avoid?

• Forgetting to multiply the masses

• Forgetting to square the distance

• Forgetting to add the masses

• Forgetting to subtract the distance

What is the gravitational force acting on a satellite with a mass of 100 kg orbiting Earth at an altitude of 100 km?

• 1000 newtons away from the Earth

• 960 newtons towards the Earth

• 1200 newtons away from the Earth

• 800 newtons towards the Earth

If a satellite experiences a gravitational force of 200 Newtons at a distance R from Mars, what is the force at a distance 2R from a planet with half the mass of Mars?

• 200 Newtons

• 25 Newtons

• 50 Newtons

• 100 Newtons

What should you remember about the gravitational force when answering exam questions?

• It is a scalar quantity

• It is a vector quantity

• It is always constant

• It is always zero