AP Physics 1 Flashcards: Gravitational Force

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Gravitational Force, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Physics 1.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the relationship between gravitational force and gravitational potential energy?

Answer: Potential energy depends on force and distance. Potential energy is the integral of force over distance.

Flashcard 2: How does gravitational force influence satellite motion?

Answer: Provides necessary centripetal force. Earth's gravity supplies the centripetal acceleration for orbital motion.

Flashcard 3: What role does gravitational force play in planetary orbits?

Answer: Keeps planets in orbit. Solar gravity provides centripetal force maintaining planetary orbital motion.

Flashcard 4: What role does gravitational force play in planetary orbits?

Answer: Keeps planets in orbit. Solar gravity provides centripetal force maintaining planetary orbital motion.

Flashcard 5: In which direction does gravitational force act?

Answer: Towards the center of the masses. Gravity always pulls objects toward each other's centers.

Flashcard 6: What does $r$ stand for in the gravitational force formula?

Answer: Distance between the centers of masses. Distance measured from center to center, not surface to surface.

Flashcard 7: What happens to gravitational force if $m_1$ is tripled?

Answer: Force triples. Force is directly proportional to each mass individually.

Flashcard 8: What principle does Newton's law of universal gravitation illustrate?

Answer: Every mass attracts every other mass. Newton's law applies universally to all objects with mass.

Flashcard 9: What does $m_2$ stand for in the gravitational force formula?

Answer: Mass of the second object. Second object's mass in the gravitational force equation.

Flashcard 10: Identify the type of force gravitational force is considered.

Answer: Attractive force. Gravity always pulls objects together, never pushes them apart.

Flashcard 11: What happens to gravitational force if one mass doubles?

Answer: Force doubles. Force is directly proportional to each mass in the equation.

Flashcard 12: How does gravitational force influence satellite motion?

Answer: Provides necessary centripetal force. Earth's gravity supplies the centripetal acceleration for orbital motion.

Flashcard 13: State the formula for gravitational force between two masses.

Answer: $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$. Newton's universal gravitation formula relating force to masses and distance squared.

Flashcard 14: What does $G$ represent in the gravitational force formula?

Answer: Gravitational constant. Universal constant that makes the gravitational formula dimensionally consistent.

Flashcard 15: What is the value of the gravitational constant $G$?

Answer: $6.674 \times 10^{-11} \text{ N m}^2/\text{kg}^2$. Standard value of the universal gravitational constant.

Flashcard 16: Identify the units of the gravitational constant $G$.

Answer: N m²/kg². Derived from force units divided by mass squared times distance squared.

Flashcard 17: What is the effect on gravitational force if the distance $r$ is doubled?

Answer: Force is quartered. Force varies as $1/r^2$, so doubling distance reduces force by factor of 4.

Flashcard 18: What is the gravitational force between two 1 kg masses 1 m apart?

Answer: $6.674 \times 10^{-11} \text{ N}$. Substituting $m_1 = m_2 = 1$ kg, $r = 1$ m into Newton's formula.

Flashcard 19: What does $m_1$ stand for in the gravitational force formula?

Answer: Mass of the first object. First object's mass in the gravitational force equation.

Flashcard 20: State the relationship between gravitational force and mass.

Answer: Directly proportional. Larger masses produce stronger gravitational forces.

Flashcard 21: Describe the effect of mass on gravitational attraction.

Answer: Greater mass, stronger attraction. More massive objects exert stronger gravitational pulls.

Flashcard 22: What happens to gravitational force if both $m_1$ and $m_2$ double?

Answer: Force quadruples. Each mass doubles, creating a $2 \times 2 = 4$ factor increase.

Flashcard 23: What is the gravitational force exerted by Earth on a 1 kg object at its surface?

Answer: Approximately $9.8 \text{ N}$. Weight of 1 kg object equals mass times Earth's surface gravity.

Flashcard 24: How does gravitational force affect tides on Earth?

Answer: Causes tidal forces. Moon's gravity creates differential forces causing ocean tides.

Flashcard 25: What is required for gravitational force to exist between two objects?

Answer: Both objects have mass. Only objects with mass can exert or experience gravitational force.

Flashcard 26: Find gravitational force if $m_1 = 2 \text{ kg}$, $m_2 = 3 \text{ kg}$, $r = 1 \text{ m}$.

Answer: $4.00 \times 10^{-10} \text{ N}$. Using the gravitational force formula with the specified masses and distance.

Flashcard 27: State the relationship between gravitational force and distance.

Answer: Inversely proportional to $r^2$. Force decreases rapidly as distance increases due to square relationship.

Flashcard 28: How does gravitational force compare on different planets?

Answer: Varies with planetary mass and radius. Different planetary properties create different gravitational field strengths.

Flashcard 29: What is the relationship between gravitational force and gravitational potential energy?

Answer: Potential energy depends on force and distance. Potential energy is the integral of force over distance.

Flashcard 30: What is the gravitational force on a satellite orbiting Earth?

Answer: Centripetal force maintaining orbit. Gravitational attraction provides the inward force needed for circular motion.