Module 9 - Gravity
Module 9 - Gravity
I. INTRODUCTION
Did you ever had a moment or time where
you just looked blankly at the night sky thinking
about your life and the choices you had or have
to make? That feeling of peace and serenity
that the stary night gives us is really relaxing.
That is why some famous artists try to show
them in their artworks. Familiar with Van
Gogh’s Starry Night?
In this module, you will be able to answer at least one of these questions. “How do these
things move?” For you to understand this, you will need the help of two big scientists, Isaac
Newton, and Johannes Kepler. Come and let us know them!
III. DISCUSSION
A. Presentation of the Lesson
1. Gravity
Galileo’s point of view when it comes to the concept of
gravity is something you are familiar with.
G = proportionality constant
= 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2
Practice Exercise #1
The moon is in constant orbit around the earth. The distance of the Moon from the Earth
is 384,790 km. What is the gravitational force between the moon and the earth?
(mEarth = 5.98×1024 kg, mMoon = 7.38×1022 kg)
mEarth = 5.98×1024 kg
GIVEN
mMoon = 7.38×1022 kg
d = 384,790 km d = 384,790,000m (converted)
FIND F=?
FORMULA
𝑚1 𝑚2
F=G
𝑑2
SOLUTION
𝑚1 𝑚2
F=G
𝑑2
(5.98 𝑥 1024 𝑘𝑔)(7.38 𝑥 1022 𝑘𝑔)
F = (6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2)( )
(384,790,000𝑚)2
F = 1.98 x 1022 kg
Practice Exercise #2
Using the same scenario above, If the distance between them is reduced to ½, then what
happens to Fg?
GIVEN
FIND
FORMULA
SOLUTION
ANSWER
3. Acceleration due to Gravity
Now the value of g that you often use when it comes to computing weights can
also be determined deriving from Newton’s equation on the law of universal gravitation
and Newton’s second law of motion.
𝑚1 𝑚2
F=G
𝑑2
4. Escape Velocity
This is the minimum amount of speed that a body
must have in order to “escape” the gravitational strength
a planet has in order to go to outer space without ever
falling back.
2𝐺𝑀
ve = √
𝑅
𝑚2
The R is the radius of the astronomical body with mass M. Recall that g=G
𝑑2
we can derive another equation for ve, escape velocity, and can be re-written as,
ve = √2𝑔𝑅
Now both formulas here tell us that the mass of the object projected does not and
will not affect its escape velocity on an astronomical body.
P2 = a3
Whereas,
P is the planet’s orbital period, in Earth years.
a is the planet’s semi-major axis or distance from the Sun, in AU.
Take Note:
B. LESSON LINKS
1. Everything that has mass, attributes the property of gravity. As a student, how will
you overcome the obstacles in your life that keeps on pulling you down?
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2. The laws of physics govern even the heavenly bodies. As a student, why do you
have to adhere laws of made by man?
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3. Aside from the law of man, we are also governed by the law of God. As a student,
how do you show reverence to the laws commanded by God?
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IV. REMEMBER
• Newton’s law of universal gravitation states that every object in the universe attracts
every other object with a force.
• Acceleration due to gravity of any object on any astronomical body is inversely
proportional to the square distance of separation of the object from the center of any
astronomical body.
• The escape velocity from any astronomical body is the minimum speed an object must
have to escape its gravitational field and not fall back.
• Kepler’s laws of planetary motion include (a) law of ellipses, (b) law of equal areas,
and (c) law of periods