THEME 2 NEWTONIAN

MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 GRAVITATION
3.1 Newton’s
Universal
Law of
Gravitation
1. Introduction

In 1667, the scientist,

Isaac Newton, observed
an apple which fell
vertically to the ground
and the movement of
the Moon around the
Earth. He subsequently
concluded that a force
of attraction not only
exists between the
Earth and the apple but
also between the Earth
and the Moon.
2. Gravitational force between two bodies in the
universe
a) Gravitational force is known as universal force because it acts between any two bodies in the universe.

b) Gravitational force exists between two bodies .

c) Both bodies experience gravitational force of the same magnitude but different direction.
d) In the year 1687, Isaac Newton presented two relationships that involve gravitational force between two bodies:

(i) gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the masses of the two bodies, that is

F α m1m2

(ii) gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centers of the two

bodies, that is

1
Fα 2
𝑟
e) The two relationships above are formulated in Figure below to obtain Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation.

Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that the gravitational force between two bodies is directly proportional to the
product of the masses of both bodies and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centres of the two
bodies.
f) Problems solving
(i) Calculate the gravitational force between a durian and the Earth. Mass of durian = 2.0 kg , mass of the
Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg . Distance between the centre of the durian and the centre of the Earth = 6.37 × 106 m

Solution :
Given that
m1 = 2.0 kg, m2 = 5.97 x 1024 kg, r = 6.37 x 106 m , G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
m1m2
Based on , F = G
𝑟2

(2.0)(5.97 x 1024)
F = 6.67 x 10-11
(6.37 x 106)2

= 19.63 N
(ii) A rocket at a launching pad experiences a gravitational force of 4.98 × 105 N. What is the mass of the rocket?
[Mass of the Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg, distance between the centre of the Earth and the centre of the rocket = 6.37 × 106 m]

Solution :
Given that
Mass of the Earth, m1 = 5.97 x 1024 kg
Mass of rocket = m2
Distance between the center of the Earth and the center of the rocket, r = 6.37 x 106 m
G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
m1m2
Based on , F= G
𝑟2
(5.97 x 1024)(m2)
4.98 × 105 = 6.67 x 10-11 (6.37 x 106)2

m2 = 5.07 x 104 kg
(iii) Determine the force of gravitational attraction between two students of masses 70 kg and 80 kg respectively standing at

2 m apart. Given that G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2

Solution :

m1m2
Based on , F = G
𝑟2

(70)(80 )
F = 6.67 x 10-11
(2)2

F = 9.34 x 10 -8 N
3. The effect of mass and distance between two bodies
on gravitational force
a) If the mass of two bodies increases, the force of gravity increases.

b) If the distance between the centre of two bodies increases, the force of gravity decreases.

Effect of mass on F Effect of distance between the centre

of two bodies on F

m F m m F m
r
m 2F 2m 1
m F m
4

2r
2m 4F 2m m 4F m
1
r
2
m 3F 3m 2m F 2m

2r
4. A list of formulae that involving in problem solving
Condition Formula
mm
Two bodies at rest on Earth r F = G 1𝑟2 2
Body on the Earth’s surface 𝑀𝑚
F= G
m 𝑅2
R
R M

Earth and satellite 𝑀𝑚

F= G 2
satellite, m 𝑅+ℎ
h
M R

Earth and the Sun 𝑀𝑚

F=G
𝑟2
Sun, M Earth, m
5. Relating gravitational acceleration, g on the
surface of the Earth with Universal Gravitational
Constant, G
1. The force is the weight of the body,
F = mg……………………….(1)
2. Gravitational force of attraction on the body due to the earth,

Mm
F=G ……………………. (2)
R2
3. Let, (1) = (2)
Mm
Therefore, mg = G
R2
M
Thus, g=G
R2
It is clear that the value of g is independent of mass, shape and size of the body but depends on the mass and
radius of the Earth.
 6. Variation of acceleration due to gravity, g
r>R,r=R+h r=R r <R

A body is at a height from the A body is on the surface of A body is inside the Earth
centre of the Earth the Earth
𝑀 𝑀
g = G 2 …(1) g' = G 2 …(2) 𝑀
𝑅 𝑟 g = G 2 = 9.81 ms-2
𝑅
(1) 𝑔 𝐺𝑀/𝑅2
, =
(2) 𝑔′ 𝐺𝑀/ 𝑟2

𝑅
g’ = ( )2 g, R & g are constant,
𝑟

1
Therefore, g’α 2
𝑟
7. Graph with various value of gravitational acceleration,g and the
distance, r from centre of Earth.
Earth

h
Gravitational
acceleration, g/ ms-2

g = 9.81 ms-2

g’ α r

0 r<R R r>R distance from centre of Earth, r / m

8. The important of knowing the gravitational
acceleration of the planets in Solar System.
Space exploration
Use gravity as a thrust
- Spaceships can use the gravity of planets to
push them forward like a catapult. This can
save energy and make spaceships go further.
Orbits the planets
-space satellites can orbit the planet and
provide information on the atmosphere and the
surface of the planet.
Exploration of the surface of planets
-Rockets can land safely on the surface of the
planets.
Survival
Development of medical research
-Research in the field of medicine can be
enhanced by obtaining research results from
zero or weak gravity.
Study and forecast of weather
-Earth satellite can provide information on
Earth’s atmosphere conditions and further help
to study and forecast weather.
Progress in telecommunications
-The Earth’s satellite in orbit can receive and
transmit information across the Earth.
9. Impact of gravity on human growth
Lung size Breathing is related to air pressure and not gravity. Gravity affects blood flow to
the lungs but does not change the size of the lungs.

Density change Density depends on mass and volume. The mass and volume do not change with
gravity. Moving from gravity of the Earth to the gravity of the Moon, one’s weight
changes, but mass remains the same. Thus, density does not change with gravity.

Fracture of the bones Gravity that smaller than the gravity of Earth can cause bone density to decrease
because bones do not need to support the body against larger density. As a
results, the bones become more fragile and easily broken, especially on the hips
and spine.

Blood circulatory system In microgravity, the amount of blood pumped out of the heart decreases. Blood
circulation is low.

Blood pressure In microgravity, blood pressure is lower than on the Earth

10. Centripetal Force in Satellite and planetary Motion
Systems
1. The force needed by a body of mass m, to keep in a circular motion at a distance of r, from the centre of a circle with
velocity v, is the centripetal force.

𝑚𝑣2
2. Centripetal force, Fc =
𝑟
m
Centripetal force, Fc r v2
 𝑣2
3. The centripetal acceleration is given as , ac =
𝑟
4. Centripetal acceleration is always directed towards the centre of the circular motion.
5. Swinging an object on a string requires string tension to provide the centripetal force to hold the object in a circular motion.
If the string is released, the object will continue to move along a straight line tangentially to the circle.

v object

ac

6. Gravitational force is a universal force of attraction between masses. It provides the centripetal force needed to keep a
satellite in orbit around a planet, or a planet in orbit around a star such as the Sun.
7. Prediction of Isaac Newton that a satellite can orbits around the Earth without being driven by a rocket engine.

1. Object launched with low linear speed will follow trajectory 1 and reaches the Earth at Q.

2. Object launched with sufficiently high linear speed will follow trajectory 2 circulating the Earth. The object will not return
to the Earth.

By comparing the formula for force and formula for centripetal force, obtain centripetal acceleration, a.
8. Problem solving

a) A hammer throw athlete swingin an iron ball in a horizontal circle before releasing it. What is the centripetal force that acts
on the iron ball when the iron ball is moving a speed of 20 ms-1.

m = 7.2 kg, r = 1.8 m, v = 20ms-1

𝑚𝑣2 7.2 ( 20)2

F= = = 1600 N
𝑟 1.8

b) A weather satellite orbiting the Earth at a height, h = 480 km. What is the centripetal acceleration of the satellite?

Linear speed of the satellite = 7.62 x 103 m s-1 , the radius of the Earth, R = 6.37 x 106 m , Height of satellite, h = 480 000 m

𝑣2 (7.62 x 103)2
a= = = 8.48 ms-2
(𝑅+ℎ) (6.37 x 106+480 000)
9. Mass of the Earth and mass of the Sun

Formula used to determine the 𝟒π𝟐𝒓𝟑

mass of the Earth and the Sun M=
𝑮𝑻 𝟐
Data needed to calculate the - Radius of the orbit of any satellite
mass of the Earth or the Moon
- Period of revolution
Data needed to calculate the - Radius of orbit of any planet
mass of the Sun - Period of revolution of planet
concerned