Which of the following correctly describes the gravitational field strength at a distance r from a mass M?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which of the following correctly describes the gravitational field strength at a distance r from a mass M?
g = GM/r
g = GM/r²
g = Gm/r²
g = Gm/r
The gravitational field strength (g) at a distance r from a mass M is given by g = GM/r².
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: Which of the following correctly describes the gravitational field strength at a distance r from a mass M?
Solution: The gravitational field strength (g) at a distance r from a mass M is given by g = GM/r².
Steps: 4
Step 1: Understand that gravitational field strength (g) is a measure of the force of gravity experienced by an object at a certain distance from a mass.
Step 2: Identify the variables in the formula: G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass creating the gravitational field, and r is the distance from the mass.
Step 3: Recognize that the formula for gravitational field strength is g = GM/r², which means g is directly proportional to the mass (M) and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r).
Step 4: Remember that as you move further away from the mass (increasing r), the gravitational field strength (g) decreases.