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Definition
Mass
(kg)
Weight
(N)
The force exerted upon an object while under acceleration due to gravity.
FORMUL AS
1.2. EXPL AIN THAT A CHANGE IN GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY IS REL ATED TO WORK
DONE
Work done is equal to the change in gravitational potential energy (final GPE initial GPE), where
gravitational potential energy within a uniform field is given as: GPE=mgh, and work done is given as
W=GPE. Therefore when you raise an object, its gravitational potential energy increases. The law of
conservation of energy states that: GPE initial Work = GPE final.
Therefore, if we increase GPE final, then work done is considered positive work done, since potential
energy is being added to the object. I.e. lifting an object off the ground. If we decrease GPE final, then
work done is considered negative work done, since potential energy has been taken away from the
object. I.e. Putting a ball on a table and then onto a ground. Hence, a change in the gravitational
potential energy of a mass is related to either positive or negative work being done.
DIAGRAM
Note: The work done is used to decrease the potential energy of the mass, resulting in negative work
being done.
FORMUL A
Velocity of projectile
Parabolic [returns to
Earth]
<V
orbit
Circular
=V
orbit
Elliptical
>V
orbit
Parabolic
=V
escape
Hyperbolic
>V
escape
and <V
escape
DIAGRAM
G-Force is the measure of the acceleration exerted upon object in terms of the Earths gravitational
acceleration, 9.8ms-2. I.e. An object undergoing 4Gs of acceleration will be experiencing an acceleration
of 9.8x4ms-2, which is equal to 39.2ms-2.
REASON FOR USAGE
G-Force is used as a measure of acceleration to explain forces acting upon an astronaut during launch,
since it provides a frame of reference to understand the magnitude of the forces. This is because at 1G,
we experience our normal weight force. By explaining the forces in terms of factors of Earths
gravitation acceleration, we can grasp the magnitude of those forces. I.e. 4Gs of acceleration will result
in astronaut experiencing 4 times their own normal weight force. (F weight = m * a)
Note: The term G-force is not explaining the forces acting upon the object, but in fact the reaction force
as a result of those forces. I.e. when you are freefalling, you still experience an acceleration of 9.8ms -2
due to gravity, however since the rocket falls with you, there is no surface to push against, hence the
reaction force is zero and you experience 0G.
However in a rocket launch, if the rocket is accelerating upwards at 9.8ms -2, this compounds with
Earths 9.8ms-2. Unlike freefalling, the rocket itself is accelerating upwards and pushing against the
astronaut allowing for reaction forces to occur. I.e. when the rocket is stationary, you experience 1G. As
the rocket accelerates up at 1G, this compounds with Earths gravitational acceleration, resulting in the
astronaut experiencing 2Gs.
2.6. DISCUSS THE EFFECT OF EARTHS ORBITAL MOTION AND ITS ROTATIONAL MOTION ON
THE LAUNCH OF A ROCKET
EARTHS ROTATION AND ORBITAL MOTION
EARTHS ROTATIONAL MOTION
Earth rotates around an axis, meaning that it possesses rotational motion. This rotational motion can be
exploited, by launching a rocket in the direction of this rotational motion. I.e. Initial launch velocity
combines with the Earths orbital velocity, thus assisting the launch into establishing orbit.
Since the mass and velocity of exhaust gas is constant over time, then the momentum of the exhaust
gas is constant. Therefore, the magnitude of the momentum of the rocket is also constant. However
since the mass of the rocket decreases over time, the velocity of the rocket must increase as a result,
such that momentum is conserved.
Hence, as the velocity of the rocket increases as mass decreases, the acceleration must increase during
engine ignition since acceleration is equal to the change in velocity over time.
NEWTONS FIRST L AW
Newtons first law, F=ma, can also be used to explain the increasing acceleration upon an astronaut
during launch. Since the force produced by the engine is constant throughout the launch, then m*a is
also constant. Since the mass decreases during engine ignition, then acceleration of the rocket must
increase to compensate for the decreasing mass.
EFFECT ON FORCES EXERTED UPON AN ASTRONAUT
Since the acceleration of a rocket increases during engine ignition, this means that the forces upon an
astronaut must also increase, through F=ma (Newtons first law).
2.8. ANALYSE FORCES INVOVLED IN UNIFORM CIRCUL AR MOTION FOR OBJECTS ORBITING
THE EARTH
DERIVATION OF ORBITAL VELOCITY EQUATION
In order to maintain a circular orbit around Earth, a centripetal force must exist for this to occur. This
force is provided by the gravitational attraction between the two masses, meaning that the centripetal
force must be equal to this gravitational attractive force.
FORMUL A
Geo-stationary orbit
Altitude (sea
level)
High - 35,786 km
Orbital period
90 minutes
24 hours
Orbital speed
Fast
Slow
Applications
Inclination of
orbit
All inclinations
Equatorial
Disadvantages
FORMUL A
2.11. ACCOUNT FOR THE ORBITAL DECAY OF SATELLITES IN LOW EARTH ORBIT
Satellites in low Earth orbit will undergo frictional deceleration. This is because Earths atmosphere
extends beyond the 100km space boundary, meaning that satellites in low Earth orbit will collide with
air particles, resulting in frictional deceleration and therefore orbital decay over time. To counter this,
satellites in low Earth orbit have manoeuvring thrusters to maintain their initial orbital trajectory.
Other sources of orbital decay are:
2.12. DISCUSS ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SAFE RE-ENTRY INTO THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE
AND LANDING ON THE EARTHS SURFACE
Issue associated with
re-entry
Thermal heating
G-forces
Atmospheric ionisation
The gravitational field surrounding any mass, provides an attractive force to other masses, as well
as massless objects
The magnitude of the gravitational attraction is proportional to the inverse square of the distance
between the two bodies (F attraction 1/d2)
3.4. IDENTIFY THAT A SLINGSHOT EFFECT CAN BE PROVIDED BY PLANETS FOR SPACE
PROBES
A gravitational slingshot/gravity assist involves the use of a planets relative velocity and gravitational
field to alter the velocity and path of a satellite or spacecraft. It offers the benefit of conserving fuel,
4. CURRENT AND EMERGING UNDERSTANDING ABOUT TIME AND SPACE HAS BEEN
DEPENDENT UPON EARLIER MODELS OF THE TRANSMISSION OF LIGHT
4.1. OUTLINE THE FEATURES OF THE AETHER MODEL FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF LIGHT
Studies showed that waves appeared to require a medium to propagate through
Since light behaved light a wave, it was logical that there had to be a medium for light to travel
through
This medium was called the Aether
Fluid filling space
Transparent
Zero viscosity
Incompressible
Stationary absolute frame of reference
Massless
4.2. DESCRIBE AND EVALUATE THE MICHELSON-MORLEY ATTEMPT TO MEASURE THE
REL ATIVE VELOCITY OF THE EARTH THROUGH THE AETHER
AIM: TO DETERMINE EARTHS REL ATIVE VELOCITY WITH THE AETHER.
APPARATUS
DESCRIPTION
EVALUATION
Failed at its aim (To determine Earths motion through the Aether)
Led to the questioning of the Aether model
Incorrect assumption that the Aether existed
two inertial reference frames, and they change such that the perceived speed of light in all inertial
reference frames is a constancy.
4.8. DISCUSS THE CONCEPT THAT LENGTH STANDARDS ARE DEFINED IN TERMS OF TIME IN
CONTRAST TO THE ORIGINAL METRE STANDARD
Originally the metre was based on the physical properties of various objects: 10 -7 x Circumference of
the Earth, or later the distance between two lines on a platinum-iridium bar. As of now, the metre is
defined as the distance light travels in
1
299792458
in terms of time, contrasting that of the basis of the metre unit on the physical properties of various
objects. Hence time and space are related through the new definition of the metre unit.
Conclusion
Hence, depending on the frame of reference, events cannot necessarily occur simultaneously and are
relative.
THE EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN MASS AND ENERGY
EQUATION
SIGNIFICANCE
E=mc2 suggests that any mass, whether it possesses no potential energy such as gravitational or
kinetic potential energy, will itself possess an enormous amount of energy through its mass. This
equation is used in nuclear processes, whereby mass is converted to energy. I.e. Nuclear fission and
fusion. Since c2 is an extremely large number, it infers that for every gram of mass it possesses 9x10 13
joules of energy.
LENGTH CONTRACTION, TIME DILATION, MASS DIL ATION
L0 = Length from
relatively stationary
observer
L v = Length from
relatively moving
observer
Length contracts as
relative motion
increases
4.10. DISCUSS THE IMPLICATIONS OF MASS INCREASE, TIME DIL ATION AND LENGTH
CONTRACTION FOR SPACE TRAVEL
As relative velocity between the spacecraft and universe increases, the effects of time dilation,
length contraction and mass dilation begin to increase
As time dilates, the astronauts on board the spacecraft age slower in comparison to humans on
Earth
As length contracts, the distance between the spacecraft and its destination contracts
As mass dilates, the mass of the ship relative to an observer from Earth increases. A consequence
of this is that more energy is required to accelerate the object, since energy is being used to
increase its relative mass. Since mass dilates towards infinity as you approach the speed of light,
infinite energy is required to accelerate an object to the speed of light, which as of now is not
possible.