Gravitational Fields, Gravitational Potential Energy & Gravitational Potential

Gravitational Fields It is often useful to relate the Force experienced to a specific location. For instance, a 30 kg person would experience 294 N of Force. A 70 kg person would experience 686 N of force. F = mg We could say that at this particular spot, the Gravitational Field Strength is 9.8 N/kg What force would a 95 kg person experience at this location? Is it valid for other locations?

Electric and Gravitational Fields Similarly, we could define an Electric Field as the electric force per unit charge at a specific location Gravitational Fields Electric Fields Exists in the space surround an object in which the force of gravity exists A field illustrating the force of attraction between two objects The region in which a force is exerted on an electric charge by another electrical source

Gravitational Fields Gravitational Fields Depending on our location on the earth we experience a different gravitational field strength We approximately 9.8 N/kg

Gravitational Potential Energy Potential Energy is the stored energy of position of an object an it is related to the location of the object within a field. Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) – the stored energy due to attractive forces of large masses and their relative distances.

Potential Energy Gravitational Potential Energy When gravity does work on an object, it GPE is lowered. High GPE GPE  KE Lower GPE

Gravitational Potential 1 kg GPE depends on the mass of an object and its height. An object with twice the mass will have twice the potential energy and an object with twice the distance will have twice the potential energy. An object an a high position does not necessarily mean high potential energy and low positions don’t mean low potential energy The GPE for both balls is 20 J 2 kg 2 m 1 m

Gravitational Potential Gravitational Potential Energy depends on mass and height Gravitational Potential tells us the amount of potential energy per kilogram at a particular spot. Gravitational Potential 20J/kg 10J/kg 0 J/kg 1 kg, 2m 20J GPE 2 kg, 2m 40J GPE 1 kg, 1m 10J GPE 2 kg, 1m 20J GPE