Describe how distance affects gravitational potential energy

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Middle School Physical Science › Describe how distance affects gravitational potential energy

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1

Screen shot 2020 05 27 at 11.43.32 am

What is one way we could increase the gravitational pull between these two objects?

increase the mass

put them closer together

both of these

neither of these

Explanation

The answer is "both of these."

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

2

Screen shot 2020 05 27 at 11.44.25 am

Assuming all of these objects have the same mass, which of these sets of objects would have a greater gravitational potential energy?

the objects that are 10 meters apart

the objects that are 100 meters apart

they have the same gravitational energy

it would depend on the temperature of the objects

Explanation

The answer is "the objects that are 10 meters apart" because they are closer together and thus have a greater gravitational energy between them.

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

3

Screen shot 2020 05 27 at 11.43.32 am

The object on the right has a greater gravitational energy than the one on the left. This is because:

it has a greater mass

it is bigger

it is colder

it is made of stronger material

Explanation

The answer is "it has a greater mass."

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

4

Does a plane have more gravitational energy when it is flying 100km above the Earth or when it is on the ground?

when it's on the ground

when it's 100km in the air

gravity is always the same

none of these

Explanation

The answer is "when it's on the ground" because it's closer to the body that it's being pulled towards. Though this difference is hardly noticeable until we are high enough to leave the atmosphere.

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

5

Screen shot 2020 05 27 at 11.44.25 am

Given ONLY the information in the picture above, which of these sets of objects would have more gravitational potential energy?

We do not have enough information because we don't know the mass of the objects.

the set that is 100 km apart

the set that is 10km apart

Explanation

The answer is "we do not have enough information because we don't know the mass of the objects."

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

6

Which of these objects would have the MOST gravitational pull if we were standing directly on the surface?

Earth

a meteor less massive than the moon

the moon

a planet more massive than Earth

Explanation

The answer is a planet more massive than the Earth, because it has the most mass.

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

7

Screen shot 2020 05 27 at 2.49.44 pm

This table from NASA.gov shows data collected from bodies in our solar system. Each body has a different value for "Gravity." What best explains this difference?

they have different masses

they have different rotation periods

they have different diameters

they have different lengths of day

Explanation

The answer is "they have different masses."

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

8

Screen shot 2020 05 27 at 11.43.36 am

What could you do to these objects to DECREASE the gravitational energy between them?

both of these

increasing the distance between them

decreasing the mass of the objects

none of these

Explanation

The answer is "both of these" because increasing the distance and decreasing their mass would both decrease the gravitational pull.

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

9

Which of these objects have a gravitational pull?

all objects have gravitational pull

Earth

the moon

people

Explanation

The answer is "all objects have gravitational pull."

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

10

Does a plane have more gravitational energy when it is flying 100km above the Earth or when it is on the ground?

when it's on the ground

when it's 100km in the air

gravity is always the same

none of these

Explanation

The answer is "when it's on the ground" because it's closer to the body that it's being pulled towards. Though this difference is hardly noticeable until we are high enough to leave the atmosphere.

Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.

The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.

Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.

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