physics / Classical Mechanics / free

Gravitation

See how mass shapes attraction from falling objects to planetary orbits.

an inverse-square attractionF = G m₁m₂ / r²
Mfield strength falls with r²

The stage uses scaled units so the force law and orbit geometry fit on one screen. Real orbits also depend on angular momentum and can be elliptical.

source mass65%
separation55%
orbit speed3.5 u

The same gravitational interaction can make an apple fall or keep a satellite in orbit. An orbit is continuous free fall with enough sideways velocity.

04 / PRACTICE

Make the idea yours.

0 / 3 checked

Use the model, then answer without looking back. Each check isolates one decision a learner should be able to make after this lesson.

CHECK 1 / 3

How does field strength scale with distance from a point mass?