Learning objective
Distinguish between the force of gravity, gravitational attraction and weight.
Explain how the free-fall acceleration depends on the Earth's rotation, shape and height.
State Kepler's three laws and reveal their physical meaning (conservation of angular momentum, the law of gravitation).
Learn to calculate orbital periods and the mass of the central body with Kepler's third law.
Expected outcomes
Estimates the force of gravity $mg$ and its variation with latitude.
Applies Kepler's laws to the motion of planets, comets and artificial satellites.
Finds the period, orbital radius or mass of the central body from $T^2 = 4\pi^2a^3/(GM)$.
Activities
Lecture
Lecture · 1 h 15 min ·
required
Problem solving: the law of universal gravitation
Practice · 1 h 15 min ·
required
Determining the free-fall acceleration with a simple pendulum
Laboratory · 2 h 30 min ·
optional
Kepler's laws
Self-study · 6 h 15 min ·
optional
Final test
Test · 20 min ·
required
· pass ≥ 70%
Completion conditions
- Lecture
- Problem solving: the law of universal gravitation
- Final test — at least 70%