Gravitation and Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation
ScienceSubject
8 minEstimated read
Activity 7.1
Finding how mass and distance change gravitational force
Method
Open an internet browser on a computer and type this address in the search bar: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/gravity-force-lab/latest/gravity-force-lab_en.html
In the simulation, use the sliders to change the mass of each sphere and the distance between them. Keep Force Values set to Decimal Notation so that the force is shown as a decimal number.
Case (a): Set the masses to 300 kg and 400 kg, 4 m apart, and note the force. Keeping the distance the same, double the first mass to 600 kg and note the force. Then double both masses, to 600 kg and 800 kg, and note the force again.
Case (b): Keep the masses at 300 kg and 400 kg and double the distance between the spheres from 4 m to 8 m. The force changes from 0.000000500556 N to 0.000000125139 N. Note both values.
Study the values, compare each new force with the force before the change, and write a suitable conclusion for each case.
The force between two masses before changing the mass (F₁)
First mass (m₁) after changing mass
Second mass (m₂) after changing mass
The force between two masses (F₂)
Conclusion
0.000000500556 N
600 kg
400 kg
0.000001001112 N
F₂ = 2F₁
0.000000500556 N
600 kg
800 kg
0.000002002224 N
Discussion
What conclusion do you draw when the masses of both spheres are doubled and the distance is kept the same?
In case (b), what happens to the force when the distance between the spheres is doubled?
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