Question

The gravitational field at a point in space is:

• A. Force per unit mass
• B. Force per unit charge
• C. Mass per unit volume
• D. Mass per unit charge

Hint:

This definition is directly analogous to the definition of the electric field, which is the electric force per unit charge (\(\vec{E} = \vec{F}_e/q\)).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The gravitational field \(\vec{g}\) at a point in space is defined as the gravitational force \(\vec{F}_g\) experienced by a small test mass \(m\) placed at that point, divided by the magnitude of the test mass. \[ \vec{g} = \frac{\vec{F}_g}{m} \] Therefore, the gravitational field is the force per unit mass. Its units are Newtons per kilogram (N/kg), which is equivalent to meters per second squared (m/s\(^2\)), the unit of acceleration. This is why it is also called the acceleration due to gravity.