If the gravitational field strength at a point is 10 N/kg, what is the gravitati
Practice Questions
Q1
If the gravitational field strength at a point is 10 N/kg, what is the gravitational potential at that point assuming it is at infinity?
0 J/kg
-10 J/kg
10 J/kg
-5 J/kg
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If the gravitational field strength at a point is 10 N/kg, what is the gravitational potential at that point assuming it is at infinity?
Correct Answer: -10 J/kg
Step 1: Understand that gravitational field strength (g) is given as 10 N/kg.
Step 2: Know that gravitational potential (V) is calculated using the formula V = -g * r, where r is the distance from the center of the mass creating the gravitational field.
Step 3: Recognize that at infinity, the distance (r) is very large, and the gravitational potential approaches 0.
Step 4: Since we are given g as 10 N/kg, we can substitute this value into the formula.
Step 5: Calculate V at a point where r is effectively infinite: V = -10 * (infinity) which approaches 0.
Step 6: However, we are interested in the potential at a point where the gravitational field strength is 10 N/kg, which gives us V = -10 J/kg.
Gravitational Field Strength – The gravitational field strength (g) is the force per unit mass experienced by a small test mass placed in the field.
Gravitational Potential – Gravitational potential (V) is the work done per unit mass to move an object from infinity to a point in the gravitational field.
Relationship between Field Strength and Potential – The gravitational potential is related to the gravitational field strength by the equation V = -g * r, where r is the distance from the mass creating the field.