key term - Gravitational Acceleration

Definition

Gravitational acceleration is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the Earth's gravitational pull. It is a fundamental concept in both Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, describing the rate at which the velocity of an object changes when it is subjected to the force of gravity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gravitational acceleration, denoted by the symbol 'g', has a value of approximately 9.8 m/s² on the surface of the Earth.
2. The value of gravitational acceleration varies slightly depending on location due to factors such as latitude, altitude, and the Earth's rotation.
3. Gravitational acceleration is responsible for the acceleration of objects in free fall, which is independent of their mass.
4. According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
5. In Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, gravitational acceleration is a result of the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass, rather than a force acting between objects.

Review Questions

• Explain how gravitational acceleration is defined and how it relates to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
  • Gravitational acceleration is the rate at which the velocity of an object changes due to the Earth's gravitational pull. According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This gravitational force is what causes objects to experience acceleration towards the Earth's surface, with a value of approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth's surface.
• Describe how the concept of gravitational acceleration is incorporated into Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.
  • In Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, gravity is not viewed as a force, but rather as a consequence of the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass. This curvature of spacetime is what determines the motion of objects, including the acceleration experienced by objects due to gravity. Gravitational acceleration is therefore a result of this curvature, rather than a force acting between objects as described by Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation.
• Analyze the factors that can influence the value of gravitational acceleration and explain how these factors are accounted for in both Newton's and Einstein's theories of gravity.
  • The value of gravitational acceleration can vary slightly depending on factors such as latitude, altitude, and the Earth's rotation. These factors affect the curvature of spacetime and the distribution of mass, which in turn influence the gravitational force experienced by objects. In Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, these factors would be accounted for by changes in the distance between the Earth and the object, as well as the Earth's mass. In Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, these factors would be reflected in the curvature of spacetime, which determines the motion of objects and their acceleration due to gravity.

Related terms

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:

The law that states that any two objects with mass exert a gravitational force on each other, which is proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Einstein's Theory of General Relativity:

The theory that describes gravity not as a force, but as a curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass, and that this curvature is what determines the motion of objects in the universe.

Free Fall:

The motion of an object that is falling under the sole influence of gravity, without any other external forces acting upon it.