AP Physics C: Mechanics Flashcards: Gravitational Force
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
How does a uniform spherical distribution of mass exert a gravitational force on an object located entirely outside the sphere?
The sphere exerts a gravitational force on the object as if the sphere's entire mass were concentrated at its center.
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How does a uniform spherical distribution of mass exert a gravitational force on an object located entirely outside the sphere?
The sphere exerts a gravitational force on the object as if the sphere's entire mass were concentrated at its center.
In physics, what is a field?
A field is a model that describes the effects of a noncontact force, like gravity, exerted on an object at various positions in space.
How is the gravitational field strength, g, derived from the gravitational force, Fg?
The magnitude of the gravitational field is defined as the gravitational force per unit mass, as shown by the equation $|\vec{g}|= rac{|\vec{F_{g}}|}{m}$.
Describe the fundamental nature of the gravitational interaction between two objects with mass.
The gravitational interaction is a noncontact force where two objects or systems with mass each exert an attractive gravitational force on the other.
What does Newton's shell theorem describe?
It describes the net gravitational force that a uniform spherical shell of mass exerts on an object.
An object is placed anywhere inside a hollow, uniform spherical shell of mass. What is the net gravitational force exerted on the object by the shell?
According to Newton's shell theorem, the net gravitational force exerted by the shell on any object inside it is zero.
What is Newton's law of universal gravitation?
It is the law that describes the gravitational force between two objects or systems with mass, given by the equation $|\vec{F}_{g}|=G rac{m_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}$.
What is the equation for the magnitude of the gravitational field strength, g, at a distance r from a central mass M?
The equation for the magnitude of the gravitational field is $|\vec{g}|=G rac{M}{r^{2}}$.
Two planets, one with mass M and another with mass 2M, exert a gravitational force on each other. How do the forces they exert on one another compare?
The gravitational forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, as described by Newton's law of universal gravitation.
What part of a uniform density sphere exerts a net gravitational force on an object located inside of it?
An object inside the sphere experiences a net gravitational force that comes only from the partial mass of the sphere located closer to the center than the object.
Using the equation $|\vec{F}_{g}|=G rac{m_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}$, what happens to the force if the distance 'r' between the two masses is tripled?
If the distance is tripled, the gravitational force becomes one-ninth of its original strength, as the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.