3.5.16

Gravitational Field Strength

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Gravitational Field Strength

Gravitational field strength is how we describe the attraction between an object and the centre of a planet like Earth. The larger the gravitational field strength, the faster an object will fall.

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Gravitational field strength

  • The gravitation field strength is measured in Newtons per kilogram N/kg.
  • The gravitational field strength of an object depends on its size. The larger an object, the more massive its gravitational pull.
  • The gravitation field strength on Earth is 10 N/kg. So a 1kg mass will accelerate with a force of 10N.
  • The gravitation field strength of the Moon is 1.6 N/kg.
  • The gravitation field strength of Jupiter is 25 N/kg.
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Calculating weight

  • The equation to calculate weight is:
    • Weight (N) = mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (N/kg). An object with a mass of 20 kg on Earth would have a weight of 200N.
    • 20kg × 10N/kg
  • An object with a mass of 20 kg on the Moon would have a weight of 32N.
    • 20kg × 1.6 N/kg
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Weight in space

  • Your mass (kg) will remain the same on all planets in our solar system.
  • If you were to travel the solar system, your weight would depend on the size of the planet you are on.
  • The calculation can be rearranged to work out mass:
    • Mass (kg) = weight (N) ÷ gravitational field strength (N/kg).

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1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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