Question 1: Define gravitational force in your own words.

Answer: Gravitational force is the attractive force between two masses, proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Question 2: Explain why the gravitational force between Earth and the Moon affects the tides.

Answer: Because the gravitational pull of the Moon exerts a force on Earth's water, causing the water to bulge out and creating high tides.

Question 1: Calculate the gravitational force between Earth (mass = 5.97 × 10^24 kg) and the Moon (mass = 7.35 × 10^22 kg) when they are 384,400 km apart. Use Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2, where G = 6.67 × 10^-11 N·m²/kg².

Answer: Approximately 1.98 × 10^20 N

Question 2: If the distance between the Sun and Earth is increased to 150 million km, how does the gravitational force between them change? Assume the initial force was calculated at 149.6 million km.

Answer: The force decreases proportionally to the square of the distance increase; approximately 1.99 times weaker.

Question 1: Describe an experiment to demonstrate the effect of mass on gravitational force. Include the variables involved and safety precautions.

Answer: One possible experiment involves measuring the gravitational attraction between objects of different masses using a torsion balance. Variables include mass of objects (independent), measured force (dependent), and distance (controlled). Safety precautions include ensuring the apparatus is stable and handling heavy objects carefully.

Question 1: A satellite orbits Earth at an altitude where the gravitational acceleration is 8.7 m/s². If the satellite's mass is 1000 kg, calculate the gravitational force acting on it.

Answer: Approximately 8,700 N

Question 1: Explain how Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation applies to the orbit of planets around the Sun. Include the relevant formula and describe the relationship between mass, distance, and force.

Answer: Newton's Law states that the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. For planets orbiting the Sun, this force provides the centripetal force needed for circular or elliptical orbits, maintaining their motion around the Sun.

Question 1: Discuss how knowledge of gravitational forces is essential in the design and operation of satellite-based GPS systems.

Answer: GPS systems rely on satellites whose clocks are affected by gravitational time dilation. Understanding gravity allows engineers to correct these effects, ensuring accurate positioning data.