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 zero at infinity?
-10 J/kg
-5 J/kg
0 J/kg
10 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 zero at infinity?
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.
Step 3: Choose a value for r (the distance from the point to the center of the mass causing the gravity). Here, we will use r = 1 meter.
Step 4: Substitute the values into the formula: V = -10 N/kg * 1 m.
Step 5: Calculate the result: 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, measured in N/kg.
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, measured in J/kg.
Relationship between g and V – 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.