CLASS 8 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Newtonian gravitation in space – basic principles
How it works
Newton’s law of gravitation describes the force of attraction between two masses. The force is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of their distance. The gravitational constant G is a natural constant. In space, the law explains, for example, the orbits of planets and the tides. Gravitation always acts attractively and is one of the four fundamental forces of physics.
Note
The gravitational force between two bodies is calculated with F = G·(m1·m2)/r². The force decreases quadratically with increasing distance and is always attractive.
The gravitational force between two bodies is calculated with F = G·(m1·m2)/r². The force decreases quadratically with increasing distance and is always attractive.
An example
How does the gravitational force between two bodies change when their distance is doubled?
The force becomes smaller by a factor of 4, because it is inversely proportional to the square of the distance: (2r)² = 4r², so F_neu = F_alt/4.
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Astronomy. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.