TOPIC SEVEN - Definitions

Question 1

Equipotential surfaces

Answer 1

• a surface of constant potential
• no work is done when an object is moved across

Question 2

Newtons law of gravity

Answer 2

• attractive force between 2 particles
• proportional to product of masses + inversely proportional to the square of separation

Question 3

Gravitational potential

Answer 3

• work done per unit mass
• when moved from infinity to that point

Question 4

Escape velocity

Answer 4

• V min that would allow an object to leave the planet’s gravitational field

Question 5

Gravitational field strength

Answer 5

Force per unit mass

Question 6

Force field

Answer 6

Region in which a body experiences a non-contact force

Question 7

Gravitational potential difference

Answer 7

Difference in a potential between 2 points in a gravitational field

Question 8

What is a Synchronous orbit?

Answer 8

An orbit in which the period of the orbit is equal to the rotational period of the object that it is orbiting.

Question 9

What is a geostationary orbit?

Answer 9

a geosynchronous orbit that occurs around the equator