Gravitational Field Strength (GCSE Physics)
Gravitational Field Strength
Gravitational Field Strength
- Gravitational field strength varies throughout the Solar System. Different planets can have their own gravitational field, and the strength of the field can vary. For example, on the Moon, the gravitational field strength is lower than on the Earth.
- Gravitational field strength is related to the mass and radius. It is proportional to the mass of a planet, but inversely proportional to the square radius of a planet.
- Gravitational field strength determines the weight of an object. We can use the strength of the gravitational field to help calculate the size of the gravitational ‘pull’ an object experiences, and hence its weight. For example, the same astronaut will weigh less on the Moon than on the Earth. This is simply due to the lower gravitational field strength on the Moon.
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