Calculating Gravitational Potential

• What is the equation for gravitational potential V defined by?

  Mass M and distance r
• What does V represent in the gravitational potential equation?

  Gravitational potential in joules per kilogram

  
• What does G represent in the gravitational potential equation?

  Newton’s gravitational constant
• What does M represent in the gravitational potential equation?

  Mass of the body producing the gravitational field
• What does r represent in the gravitational potential equation?

  Distance from the center of mass
• Why is gravitational potential always negative near an isolated mass?

  Because potential at infinity is defined as 0
• What happens to gravitational potential as a mass moves away from a planet?

  It becomes larger (less negative)
• What is the nature of gravitational forces?

  They are always attractive
• What occurs as r decreases in relation to gravitational potential?

  Positive work is done by the mass
• What is the gravitational potential at infinity?

  Defined as 0
• How does gravitational potential change when a mass is closer to a planet?

  It becomes smaller (more negative)
• What happens to gravitational potential when the distance (r) becomes very large?

  Gravitational force tends towards 0
• How does gravitational potential change depending on the direction of travel?

  It increases or decreases based on field lines
• What is the formula for calculating gravitational potential V?

  • V = -\frac{GM}{r}
  • Where:
  • V = gravitational potential (J/kg)
  • G = Newton’s gravitational constant
  • M = mass of the body (kg)
  • r = distance from the center (m)
• How do you calculate the radius of a planet given its diameter?

  Radius = diameter ÷ 2
• If a planet has a diameter of 7600 km, what is its radius?

  3800 km
• How do you find the distance r from the center of a planet to a point above its surface?

  Add the planet's radius to the height above
• What should you remember about the negative sign in gravitational potential calculations?

  Keep the negative sign in the solution
• When calculating the change in gravitational potential, what should you do with the negative sign?

  No negative sign is needed
• What is typically required when finding a difference in gravitational potential values?

  Just the magnitude is normally required
• What is the first step in calculating the gravitational potential of the rock?

  Write the gravitational potential equation
• What is the final value of r used in the gravitational potential calculation?

  4.2 × 10$6$ m
• What is the significance of calculating gravitational potential in physics?

  It helps understand gravitational interactions
• How does gravitational potential differ from gravitational field strength?

  Gravitational potential is a scalar quantity
• What is the relationship between gravitational potential and work done?

  Work must be done to move a mass away
• What happens to gravitational potential as a mass approaches a planet?

  It becomes more negative
• What is the effect of gravitational potential on a mass moving from infinity to a planet?

  It indicates positive work is done
• How does gravitational potential behave as distance increases?

  It approaches 0 at infinity
• What is the implication of gravitational potential being negative?

  It indicates a bound system
• What does the term "scalar quantity" mean in relation to gravitational potential?

  It has magnitude but no direction
• What does the term "vector quantity" mean in relation to gravitational field strength?

  It has both magnitude and direction
• What is the significance of the gravitational potential being defined as negative?

  It reflects the work needed to escape
• How does gravitational potential relate to the concept of work in physics?

  It quantifies energy changes in a field
• What is the relationship between gravitational potential and distance from the mass?

  Potential decreases as distance decreases
• What does it mean for gravitational potential to be a scalar quantity?

  It does not have a direction
• How does gravitational potential affect the motion of objects in a gravitational field?

  It influences the energy required for movement
• What is the implication of gravitational potential being zero at infinity?

  It indicates no gravitational influence
• How does gravitational potential relate to the concept of escape velocity?

  Higher potential requires higher escape velocity
• What is the effect of gravitational potential on satellite motion?

  It determines the energy needed for orbit
• How does gravitational potential influence the stability of orbits?

  It affects the balance of forces in orbit