6.1.5

The Sun's Gravitational Field

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The Sun's Gravitational Field (cont.)

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Effect on the planets

  • The Sun’s gravitational field strength decreases as you move further away.
    • Planets closer to the Sun move faster in their orbits.
    • Planets further away move more slowly.
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Orbits

  • Orbits are often elliptical (oval-shaped), not perfect circles.
  • An object in an elliptical orbit travels faster when closer to the Sun.
  • This happens because of the conservation of energy.
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Conservation of energy

  • Near the Sun, the object is deeper in the gravitational field, so gravitational potential energy decreases.
  • This energy changes into kinetic energy, so the object speeds up.
  • Further from the Sun, the opposite happens: more potential energy, less kinetic energy, so the object slows down.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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