Weight, gravity and GPE

• What is gravity?

  A force of attraction between two objects
• On what factors does the gravitational force of attraction between two objects depend?

  • The mass of the two objects
  • The distance between the two objects
• Why is the gravitational force of attraction negligible between small objects like apples and buildings?

  Because they have relatively low masses and are close together, resulting in a negligible gravitational force.
• Why is gravity felt more strongly on Earth compared to Jupiter?

  Because Earth is large and close, its gravitational field strength is stronger than Jupiter's due to Jupiter's greater distance.
• What is the gravitational field around an object called?

  Gravitational field
• What letter denotes the gravitational field strength?


  g
• What is the gravitational field strength on Earth?

  1. 8 newtons per kilo
• What is the gravitational field strength on the Moon?

  1. 6 newtons per kilo
• What does an object experience when it enters a gravitational field?

  A force of attraction
• What is the term used to describe the force of attraction experienced by an object in a gravitational field?

  Weight
• What is the formula for calculating an object's weight?

  Weight = mass × gravitational field strength
• A person with a mass of 60 kilos is on Earth's surface. What is their weight?

  588 newtons
• What is the difference between mass and weight in physics?

  Mass is an intrinsic property of an object, while weight is the force acting on it in a gravitational field.
• What energy is required to lift an object against gravity?

  Gravitational potential energy
• What is the formula for gravitational potential energy (EP)?

  EP = mgh
• What are the units for gravitational potential energy?

  • Mass: kilograms (kg)
  • Gravitational field strength: newtons per kilogram (N/kg)
  • Height: meters (m)
  • Total energy: joules (J)
• An apple with a mass of 100 grams is thrown three meters up in the air. What is its gravitational potential energy?

  1. 94 joules
• What is the gravitational field strength on Earth?

  1. 8 newtons per kilo
• What does the formula EP = mgh represent?

  Gravitational potential energy equals mass multiplied by gravitational field strength multiplied by height.