gravitational force
What gravitational force means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of gravitational force
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Reference: AQA
The force that pulls a satellite towards the centre of its orbit, acting along the line joining the Earth and the satellite.
Acts between any two masses, is always attractive, and points towards the centre of the other mass.
Topics that use gravitational force
- Contact and non-contact forces (AQA GCSE)
- Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- acting on different objects
- artificial satellites
- attraction and repulsion
- constant speed with changing velocity
- contact forces
- electrostatic force
- equal and opposite
- friction
Using gravitational force in the exam
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