gravitational field
Definition
Noun: A gravitational field is the region of space surrounding a physical body that has mass, within which another body with mass experiences a force of gravitational attraction. It is a model used to explain the influence that a massive object extends into the space around itself.
Usage
The term is used in physics to describe the invisible influence exerted by any object with mass. The strength of this field depends on the mass of the object creating it and the distance from that object. - The Earth's gravitational field holds the Moon in orbit. - Scientists measure tiny variations in the gravitational field to map underground structures.
Advanced Usage
- Field Lines: The direction of the gravitational field is visualized by lines pointing toward the center of mass of the object creating the field.
- Field Strength: Often quantified as acceleration due to gravity (e.g., 9.8 m/s² on Earth's surface). The field strength weakens with the square of the distance from the mass.
Variants and Related Words
- Gravity (n): The fundamental force of attraction between all masses in the universe. While "gravity" is the force itself, a "gravitational field" describes the condition of space through which the force acts.
- Gravitational (adj): Of or relating to gravity (e.g., , ).
Synonyms
- Gravity field: A less common but synonymous term.
- Field of gravitational force: A more descriptive synonym.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Escape velocity: The minimum speed needed for an object to break free from a gravitational field without further propulsion.
- Geoid: The shape of the Earth's mean sea level surface, which is an equipotential surface of its gravitational field.
- Gravitational potential: The potential energy per unit mass at a point in a gravitational field.
Noun
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a field of force surrounding a body of finite mass