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Mass
Mass is the amount of matter
in an object (kg)
Weight
Weight is the force with which an
object is attracted to the Earth (N)
=m1 g
g=
G m2
d
F=G
m1 m2
d2
Every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force directly
proportional to each other masses and inversely proportional to the square of
the distance separating them
Explain that a change in gravitational potential energy is related to work
done
W =F rcos w here
r is changedisplacement ,
The work done on an object is defined as the force acting on the object over a
displacement If the force is a net force then the object will accelerate. Thus, work
causes a change in the kinetic energy of an object. Work depends on the
direction of force compared to the direction of displacement.
Gravitational potential energy of an object is given by:
The work done by an external force to move an object closer to the Earth is
negative and decreases the gravitational potential energy
Define gravitational potential energy as the work done to move an object
from a very large distance to a point in a gravitational field-
Potential energy=G
m1 m2
d
When the altitude decreases, work is done by the gravitational field and
the gravitational potential energy decreases. Therefore, the change in
potential energy is negative.
When the altitude increases, work is done against the gravitational field
and gravitational potential energy increases
g=4 2
L
T2
T
L
of best fit.
Length of
pendulum
(m) +0.0005
1.000
0.900
0.800
0.700
0.600
Definiti
on
Sources
of error
Effect
How to
reduce
error
Time for 10
oscillations
(s) +0.05
Period of 1
oscillation
(s) +0.005
Pendulu
m
Experim
ent
Reliabi
lity
Accura
cy
the calculations
Vibration and changes in wind
cause irregular changes in the
period of a pendulum swing
Starting or stopping the timer
slightly before or after the
pendulum completes a swing
Validity
1
GMm 1
GMm
m v inital2
= m v final2
where r final =v final=0
2
r intial 2
r final
1
2 GMm
mv
=0
2
r intial
1
GMm
m v 2intial=
2
r intial
v=
2 GM
r
1
m v 2=mgh due conservation of energy
2
u x = 2 gh
Kinetic energy intial + Potential energy intial =Kinetic energy final + Potential energy final
During a launch, the rocket will be subjected to 3 forces
1. Weight- Downward gravitational force acting on the rocket W =mg
2. Air resistance- Frictional force acting in the opposite direction to the
motion of the rocket
3. Thrust force- Upward reaction force exerted by gas particles on the rocket
F=ThurstWeight
ma=Thurstmg
Thurst=mamg
a=
Thurstmg
m
Thurst=m
v
Thurst=
-
m
v
t
Engine provides thrust force that must be greater than weight force for the
rocket to take off
Thrust is a constant so acceleration increases as the mass decreases, due
to the fuel being burnt and ejected as exhaust gas.
Acceleration quickly decreases as the rocket runs out of fuel.
m( gas ) v gas
mrocket
Identify why the term g forces is used to explain the forces acting on an
astronaut during launch
A person of mass m in an elevator has two forces acting on the them:
Weight- Acting down on the person
Normal force acting upwards. This is the reaction force of the person
pushing down on the lift due to their weight
The true weight of a person is their actual weight, W=mg, the
gravitational force of attraction
The apparent weight of a person is the normal force acting on the
person from the surface on which they are standing. Apparent weight
depends on acceleration, therefore can vary
Acceleratio
n
Acceleratio
n= 0
Net force
Apparent Weight
Apparent weight=True
weight
Discuss the effect of the Earths orbital motion and its rotational motion on
the launch of a rocket
The Earth is rotating on its axis on its axis once per day. We can take advantage
of this to increase the velocity of the rocket.
To take advantage of the Earths rotational axis rockets are launched.
1. Near the equator where the velocity of the ground is highest
2. In the direction of the Earths rotation
rocket relative
rocket relative
V the centre of the earth=V the earth +V earth around its axis
analyse the forces involved in uniform circular motion for a range of
objects, including satellites orbiting the Earth
An object travelling in a circle at a constant speed is said to e undergoing
uniform circular motion
In uniform circular motion:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Speed is constant
Linear velocity is not constant due to changing direction
Period of rotation is constant
Centripetal acceleration is directed towards the centre of the circle
Centripetal force F c =
m v2
r
G M earth
r
If the velocity at a given position does not match the orbital velocity, the
object will not be able to travel in a circular orbit. If it is moving faster, it
will move further away from the planet. If it moving faster, it will move
further away from the planet. If is moving slower, it will move closer to the
planet.
compare qualitatively low Earth and geo-stationary orbits
Low Earth Orbit-
A low Earth orbit describes a satellite which orbits the Earth with an
altitude(160-1000km)
LEO satellites are used for
Military activity
Telecommunication activity
Remote sensing of Earths surface
The coverage area of LEO satellite is relatively narrow due to their
proximity to Earth. The fast-orbital speed means a satellite is only
overhead and in range for a short duration. Thus, a constellation of LEO
satellites is required to provide continuous coverage. A constellation of
satellites can provide continuous coverage to be used for
communication purposes e.g. GPS
Leo satellites can capture detailed images of Earths surface due to
their low altitudes. LEO satellites do not require powerful amplifiers for
successful transmission due their proximity to the Earths surface.
Geostationary orbit:
Geostationary orbit is one in which the satellite is always in the same
position in respect to the earth. The satellite orbits to an elevation of
35,800 km because that produces an orbital period equal to the period
of rotation of the Earth ( 23 hours 56 minutes 4.0 seconds)
Hence, the satellite appears to remains in the same position above the
Earth and is called a geostationary satellite.
The satellite must be above the equator and move in the same
direction as the Earth to produce a geostationary orbit. It must be over
the equator to be a geostationary orbit, a circular path with the Earths
centre at the centre of the orbit and where latitude is always the same.
The only path that satisfies all conditions is around the equators.
GEO satellites as a line of sigh