Gravitational Force and Field

force field - space in which a force acts

gravitational field strength - force exerted by a gravitation field per kilogram of mass

Newtons Law of Gravitation = every mass attracts every other mass

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point masses or centre of each sphere

gravitational field strength at different distances of the centre of the planet

the force exerted per unit mass on a small point mass placed at that point

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(vector quantity) (applies to point masses)

Gravitational Energy and Potential

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This equation only works on the assumption that g is constant - i.e close to the surface

Gravitational Potential Energy

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gravitational potential energy gained by mass m as it is lifted distance r from the centre of a planet with mass M