Grade 11/12 Physics

Elite Stream

Academic Year 2020/2021 – Term 2

Gravitation Newton’s Law of
Gravitation
 FLD-1.A
Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force between
two large spherically symmetrical masses.
FLD-1.B
Learning Calculate the value for g or gravitational acceleration on the

objectives surface of the Earth (or some other large planetary object)
and at other points outside of the Earth.
FLD-1.C
Describe the motion in a qualitative way of an object under
the influence of a variable gravitational force, such as in the
case where an object falls toward the Earth’s surface when
dropped from distances much larger than the Earth’s radius.
 • Newton’s Law
• Universal Gravitation
• Gravitational acceleration
Keywords • Gravitational field
 Menu
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Practice 1
Gravitational Field of Earth
Gravitational Field Strength
g on Surface of Earth
g above Surface of Earth
Practice 2
Practice 3
Practice 4
Gravitational Tear from a Black Hole
Gravitational Force on Mass inside a Shell
g below the Earth’s Surface
Variation of g
Summary
 Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation states that 𝐹 𝐹
every point mass attracts every other point mass with 𝑚1 𝑚2
a force that is
𝑟
• proportional to the product of their masses, , and
• inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them .

𝑚1 𝑚2 𝑚1 𝑚 2
𝐹∝ 2 ⟹ 𝐹 =𝐺 2
𝑟 𝑟
G is called the universal gravitational constant and has
the value . G has the same value for all objects, that is
why this law is called the law of universal gravitation.
 Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
The gravitational force is mutual and has a direction along the line joining the two masses.
Two big objects can be considered as point-like masses, if
• the distance between them is very large compared to their sizes or if
• they are spherically symmetric.
• For these cases, the mass of each object can be represented as a point mass located at
its center-of-mass.

𝑚1 𝐹 𝐹 𝑚2

𝑟
 Practice 1
A communications satellite of 250 kg orbits the Earth at a height of 36,000 km. What is
the force of attraction on it due to the Earth? , mass of the Earth = , radius of Earth .

The two masses involved are the Earth and the satellite and we have their masses.
The distance between the Earth and the satellite
𝑟 =𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡h +h𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡h𝑒 𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡h
𝑚1 𝑚 2
𝐹 =𝐺 2
𝑟
( 250 ) ( 6.0 ×10 24 )
𝐹 =( 6.67 ×10 )
− 11
2
( 6.4 × 106 + 36 ×10 6 )
( 250 ) ( 6.0 ×10 24
)
𝐹 =( 6.67 ×10 ) ¿ 55.6 𝑁
− 11
6 2
( 4 2.4 ×10 )
 Gravitational Field of Earth
The gravitational field due to an object is the region of space around it where other bodies
feel a force due to it.
We model the gravitational field using field lines or lines of force. In a field line diagram:
• the direction of the field line at a point gives the direction of the force of attraction that
would be felt by a small mass placed there.
• the relative density of field lines indicates the strength of the field.

Close to the surface of the Earth, the field

lines are directed downwards, and they are
For a sphere, the field almost parallel and equidistant indicating that
lines are directed radially the field is almost constant, or uniform.
inwards.
The field lines become
more spread out as the
distance from the Earth
increases.
 Gravitational Field Strength
Gravitational field strength at a point in Object A’s field is the gravitational force exerted
on another Object B placed at that point per unit mass of Object B.
The gravitational force exerted by the Earth on an object of mass m is called the weight
W of the mass.
The gravitational field strength of the Earth at that point will therefore be .
But we know that , so .
This means the gravitational field strength of the Earth is the same as acceleration due to
gravity, g.
 g on Surface of Earth
The force of attraction between the earth and a mass m on the 𝑀 𝐸 =𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡h
surface of the earth can be found by using Newton’s Law of
gravitation. 𝑅 𝐸 =𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡h

This is also the weight of the object m and is also equal to .

𝑀𝐸
This means that .
𝑚
This is the value of g for an object on the surface of the Earth.

𝐺 𝑀𝐸
𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 2
𝑅𝐸
Substituting the values of , and gives . 𝑅𝐸
 g above the Surface of Earth
The force of attraction between the earth and a mass m at
a height h above the surface of the earth can be found by
using Newton’s Law. 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚
𝐹=
𝑟2 𝑴𝑬 𝑹𝑬 h
This is also the weight of the object m. So, this is also
equal to . 𝑚
𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚 𝐺 𝑀𝐸
𝑚𝑔= ⟹ 𝑔= 2
𝑟
2 𝑟
The distance , so the g above the earth’s surface is
𝐺𝑀𝐸
𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 = 2
𝑟
¿ 𝑅𝐸+ h
( 𝐸
𝑅 +h )
Comparing it with the surface value, you can see that as you go higher above the earth’s
surface, the value of g decreases because the denominator increases.
 Practice 2
An object has an altitude of 2 times the Earth’s radius, RE, and experiences
some force of gravity, F. If the object’s altitude is doubled, then the new
force of gravity will be
Case 1 Case 2
h=2 𝑅 𝐸 h=2( 2 𝑅 𝐸 )
𝐺𝑀𝐸𝑚 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚
𝐹= 2
𝐹 2= 2
( 𝑅 𝐸 + 2 𝑅𝐸 ) ( 𝑅𝐸+ 4 𝑅𝐸)
𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚
𝐹= 2
𝐹 2= 2
(3 𝑅𝐸) (5 𝑅𝐸)


Divide the two equations.
𝐹2 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑚 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑚 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑚 ( 3 𝑅 𝐸 )2
= ÷ 2¿ ×
𝐹 (5 𝑅𝐸)
2
(3 𝑅𝐸 ) (5 𝑅𝐸) 2
𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚
𝐹2 9 9
= ⟹ 𝐹 2= 𝐹
𝐹 25 25
 Practice 3
At the surface of Earth, an object of
mass m has weight w. If this object is Case 1 Case 2
transported to a height above the h =0 h=2 𝑅 𝐸
surface that’s twice the radius of 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚
Earth, then, at the new location, 𝑤= 𝑤2 = ¿ 2
( 𝑅𝐸)
2 2
( 𝑅 𝐸 +2 𝑅 𝐸 ) (3 𝑅𝐸)
A. its mass is m/2 and its weight is
w/2.
Divide the two equations.
B. its mass is m and its weight is 𝑤2 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑚 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑚 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑚
w/2. ( 𝑅 𝐸 )2
= ÷ 2 ¿ ×
𝑤 ( 3 𝑅𝐸)
2
( 𝑅𝐸) (3 𝑅𝐸)
2
𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑚
C. its mass is m/2 and its weight is
w/4.
𝑤2 1 𝑤
D. its mass is m and its weight is = ⟹ 𝑤2 =
𝑤 9

 w/4. 9
E. its mass is m and its weight is
w/9.
 Practice 4
( )
1/ 3
4 3𝑉 𝐸
Humans cannot survive for long periods under 3
𝑉 𝐸= 𝜋 𝑅𝐸 ⟹ 𝑅𝐸=
gravity more than 4 times what we experience 3 4𝜋

( )
2
on Earth. If a planet were discovered with the 𝐺 𝑀𝐸 3𝑉 𝐸 −
3
same mass as Earth, what is the smallest 𝑔𝐸 =
𝐺 𝑀 𝐸¿ ¿ 𝐺𝑀𝐸
4𝜋
( )
2
𝑅
2 3𝑉 𝐸
volume it could have (in terms of Earth’s 𝐸
3
4𝜋
volume, VE), without being dangerous to Using the subscript P for the planet,

( )
2
humans? Assume that the planet is a sphere. 3𝑉𝑃 −
3
𝑔 𝑃 =𝐺 𝑀 𝑃
 If ,
4𝜋

( ) ( )
2 2
3𝑉 𝑃 −3 3𝑉 𝐸 −
3
𝐺 𝑀𝑃 ¿ 4 𝐺 𝑀𝐸
4𝜋 4𝜋
( 𝑉 𝑃 )− 2/ 3=4 ( 𝑉 𝐸 )−2 /3
1
𝑉𝐸 8 𝑉𝐸
¿
− 3 /2
𝑉 𝑃 =( 4 )
 Gravitational Tear from a Black Hole
Suppose a black hole has a mass of . A spaceship of length approaches the black hole until
the front of the ship is at a distance from the black hole. What is the difference in the
acceleration due to gravity between the front and the back of the ship?

The acceleration due to gravity at the front of the ship, .

−11 30
6.67 ×10 ( 6.0× 10 ) 6 2
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 = 2 ¿ 2 .196 ×10 𝑚/𝑠
( 13500 ×10 3 )
The acceleration due to gravity at the back of the ship, . As is much smaller than , we use
the binomial expansion to solve for the difference in g.

( ( ))
h −𝐺2
h ¿ 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 1 − 2 h +…
( )
−2
𝑀 𝐵𝐻
( )
𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻
2¿ 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 ( 𝑅 +h ) ¿ 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 𝑅 1+
−2
𝑔 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘= ¿ 1+
( 𝑅+h ) 𝑅 𝑅
2
𝑅 𝑅2
𝑅
𝐺𝑀 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 2 h 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 2 h
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 − 𝑔𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘
¿
𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻
𝑅
2
−
𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻
𝑅
2 (1 − 𝑅 +…) 𝑅
2h ≅
2
𝐵𝐻
−
𝑅
2
+
𝑅
2 ( )
𝑅
≅
𝑅
2 ( )
𝑅
 Gravitational Tear from a Black Hole
Suppose a black hole has a mass of . A spaceship of length approaches the black hole until
the front of the ship is at a distance from the black hole. What is the difference in the
acceleration due to gravity between the front and the back of the ship?

The acceleration due to gravity at the front of the ship, .

−11 30
6.67 ×10 ( 6.0× 10 ) 6 2
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 = 2 ¿ 2 .196 ×10 𝑚/𝑠
( 13500 ×10 3 )

𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 2 h 𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 2 h
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 − 𝑔𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘
¿
𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻
𝑅
2
−
𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻
𝑅
2 ( 1 − +…
𝑅 )
2h ≅
𝑅
2
−
𝑅
2
+
𝑅
2 ( )
𝑅
≅
𝑅
2 ( )
𝑅
 Gravitational Tear from a Black Hole
Suppose a black hole has a mass of . A spaceship of length approaches the black hole until
the front of the ship is at a distance from the black hole. What is the difference in the
acceleration due to gravity between the front and the back of the ship?

The acceleration due to gravity at the front of the ship, .

−11 30
6.67 ×10 ( 6.0× 10 ) 6 2
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 = 2 ¿ 2 .196 ×10 𝑚/𝑠
( 13500 ×10 3 )
𝐺 𝑀 𝐵𝐻 2 h
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 − 𝑔𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘
≅
𝑅
2
𝑅 ( )
𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡 − 𝑔𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘
≅ 2.196 ×106
( 2(85)
13500 ×10
≅ )
3 27.7 𝑚 / 𝑠
2
 Gravitational Force on Mass inside a Shell
If a small mass M is placed inside a spherical shell (hollow
sphere), it will experience zero net gravitational force.
m
m
To understand this idea, imagine M is placed at the center of m
m
the shell of radius R, and the shell is cut up into small masses
of value m each.
M
The masses on the opposite ends of a diameter would attract
M with equal forces F, but in opposite directions where .
So, these forces would cancel out in pairs and the net force m
m
would be zero. mm
Even if M is not exactly at the center of the shell, it can be
proved using integral calculus that the net force on it will be
zero.
 g below the Earth’s Surface
A hole is dug to a depth h below the surface of the Earth, and h
𝑚
an object of mass m is at the bottom of the hole, at a distance r
from the center of the Earth. 𝑟
This mass m feels gravity only due to the sphere of radius r and
𝑀
mass M and not due to the whole Earth (of mass ). The outer
shell causes zero attraction on m. 𝑅𝐸

Assuming that the Earth is uniformly dense through its volume, 𝑀𝐸

this density
𝑀𝐸 can𝑀be written as: 𝑀 𝐸 𝑟 3
𝜌= ¿ ⟹ 𝑀=
4 4 3
𝜋 𝑅 𝐸3 𝜋 𝑟3 𝑅𝐸
3 3
The weight of mass m (the gravitational force on the mass m due to the sphere of radius r) will be

( )
3
𝐺 𝑀𝑚 𝐺 𝑀𝑚 𝐺𝑀 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝑟
𝐹= 2 ⟹ 𝑚 𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 2
⟹ 𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 2
⟹ 𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 2 3
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑅 𝐸
𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑟 𝐺 𝑀𝐸
𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 3 ⟹ 𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 3 ( 𝑅 𝐸 −h )
𝑅𝐸 𝑅𝐸
 Variation of g
Acceleration due to gravity varies above, below and on the surface of the Earth.
𝐺 𝑀𝐸 𝐺 𝑀 𝐸 𝐺 𝑀𝐸𝑟 𝐺 𝑀𝐸
3 (
𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒= ¿ 𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 3
¿ 𝑅𝐸 − h)
𝑟
2
( 𝑅𝐸+ h)
2 𝑅𝐸 𝑅𝐸
As the distance r from the center of the
As the distance r from the center of the
Earth increase, increases in a direct
Earth increases, decreases in an inverse
proportionality.
square dependence.
1 𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 ∝𝑟
𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 ∝ 2
𝑟 𝑔
g has its maximum
𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 value on the Earth’s
𝐺 𝑀𝐸 surface and decreases
𝑔 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 2
𝑅𝐸 whether you go below
or above the Earth’s
𝑟 =0 𝑟 =𝑅 𝐸
surface.
𝑟
Earth’s Earth’s
center surface
 Summary
• Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation states that every point mass attracts
every other point mass with a force that is
• proportional to the product of their masses, , and
• inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them .
• The gravitational field due to an object is the region of space around it
where other bodies feel a force due to it.
• Gravitational field strength of the Earth is the same as acceleration due to
gravity, g.
• The value of , at a height h above the Earth’s surface, and at a depth h
below the surface.