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Universal Gravitation Witrtgegh Keplers Law

The document outlines Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which describes the gravitational force between two masses as proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. It also details Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion, including the elliptical orbits of planets, the equal area law, and the relationship between orbital period and semi-major axis. The derivation of Kepler's Third Law is provided, demonstrating the connection between gravitational force and orbital motion.

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20 views3 pages

Universal Gravitation Witrtgegh Keplers Law

The document outlines Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which describes the gravitational force between two masses as proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. It also details Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion, including the elliptical orbits of planets, the equal area law, and the relationship between orbital period and semi-major axis. The derivation of Kepler's Third Law is provided, demonstrating the connection between gravitational force and orbital motion.

Uploaded by

brilharsualuz77
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Universal Gravitation and Kepler's Laws

Lucas Hongrui Liu Yin

May 9, 2025

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that every particle attracts every other particle with a force
along the line joining them. The force is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between them.
m1 m 2
F =G
r2
Where:
ˆ F : Gravitational force between two masses

ˆ G: Gravitational constant (6:674  10 11 N  m2 =kg2 )

ˆ m1 ; m2 : Masses of the two objects

ˆ r: Distance between the centers of the two masses

Derivation

Consider two masses, m1 and m2 , separated by a distance r. The gravitational force between them is:
m1 m 2
F =G
r2
This formula is based on empirical observations and was formulated by Newton to describe the attractive
force between two masses.

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

First Law: Law of Ellipses

Statement: The orbit of a planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the two foci.

1
Major Axis
Sun

Second Law: Law of Equal Areas

Statement: A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of
time.

Equal Areas

Sun

Third Law: Law of Harmonies

Statement: The square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-
major axis of its orbit.

T 2 / a3

(T 1=T 2)2 = (r1=r2)3


Where:
ˆ T : Orbital period

ˆ a: Semi-major axis of the orbit

Perihelion: fastest movement.


Aphelion: slowest movement.

2
Derivation of Kepler's Third Law

Assuming a circular orbit for simplicity, the gravitational force provides the necessary centripetal force:
GMm mv 2
=
r2 r
Simplify and solve for v :
GM
v2 =
r
The orbital period T is the circumference divided by the speed:

2r
r r
rr 3
T= = 2r = 2
v GM GM
Thus:
4 2 r 3
T2 =
GM
Which con rms that T 2 / r3 .

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