Physics A-Level
Gravitational force as centripetal force
What Gravitational force as centripetal force means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Gravitational force as centripetal force
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Reference: AQA
For a satellite in a circular orbit, gravitational attraction provides the centripetal force, leading to mv²/r = GMm/r² and hence v² = GM/r.
Topics that use Gravitational force as centripetal force
- Orbits of planets and satellites (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Escape velocity
- Geostationary orbit
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic, potential and total energy in circular orbits
- Low orbit
- Orbital radius
- Synchronous orbit
- Altitude
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