AQA A-Level Physics 7408
Measurements and Their Errors
Particles and Radiation
Waves
Mechanics and Materials
Electricity
Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
Fields and Their Consequences
Nuclear Physics
AstrophysicsOptional topic
Medical PhysicsOptional topic
Engineering PhysicsOptional topic
Turning Points in PhysicsOptional topic
ElectronicsOptional topic
Fields and Their Consequences
Gravitational field strength
- 4 things to know
- Papers 2 and 3
Overview
Defining g by force per unit mass, radial fields, and reading field lines.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
How is gravitational field strength defined by force and mass, and what unit does it take?
What does g = GM/r² show, and in what direction does the field point?
What happens to g when the distance doubles, and from where is r measured?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What do gravitational field lines represent?
Model answer
The direction of the gravitational force that would act on a small test mass placed in the field.
- 2
In what direction do gravitational field lines point around a spherical mass?
Model answer
Radially inward toward the centre of the spherical mass.
- 3
How does the spacing of gravitational field lines indicate the strength of the field?
Model answer
Closer field lines represent a stronger field; wider spacing indicates a weaker field.
- 4
Define gravitational field strength.
Model answer
The force per unit mass experienced by a small test mass placed in the field.
- 5
State the equation that defines gravitational field strength in terms of force and mass.
Model answer
g = F/m, where F is the gravitational force and m is the mass experiencing the force.
- 6
In the equation g = F/m, what does F represent?
Model answer
The gravitational force acting on the mass.
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