EXPERIMENT 1: Gravitational Attraction Between Two Bodies
Standard Setup 1:
Procedure:
How does the gravitational force depend on the distance between the two bodies?
1. Double-click on Planet X to open its Property Box and record the radius of the planet.
2. Double-click on the shuttle to open its Property Box and record its altitude. Calculate the distance between the shuttle and the center of the planet.
3. Observe and record the size of the gravitational force acting on the shuttle.
4. Change the altitude of the shuttle to 6,367 km and calculate the distance between the shuttle and the center of the planet. Record the new force acting on the shuttle.
5. Change the altitude of the shuttle to 12,734 km. Again, calculate the distance to the center of the planet and record the new value of the force acting on the shuttle.
To answer the questions pertaining to this experiment, click the Questions button.
EXPERIMENT 1: Gravitational Attraction Between Two Bodies/Standard Setup 1
Questions:
Select the best answer or the answer closest to your calculated value.
1. For the measurement taken furthest from the planet, the distance between the shuttle and the center of the planet is closest to
a) 0 km
b) 6,400 km
c) 12,700 km
d) 19,100 km
2. The force acting on the shuttle when it is at an altitude of 6,367 km is
a) 140 N
b) 280 N
c) 140,000 N
d) 280,000 N
3. The distances between the shuttle and the center of the planet for the three different measurements are in a ratio of
a) 0 : 1 : 2
b) 1 : 2 : 3
c) 2 : 3 : 4
d) 3 : 4 : 5
4. The forces on the shuttle for the three different measurements are in a ratio of
a) 1 : 2 : 3
b) 3 : 2 : 1
c) 1/1 : 1/2 : 1/3
d) 1/1 : 1/4 : 1/9
5. As the distance between the shuttle and the center of the planet doubles, the strength of the gravitational force acting on the shuttle
a) decreases by a factor of 4
b) decreases by a factor of 2
c) remains constant
d) increases by a factor of 2