RAFFLES INSTITUTION

YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

Tutorial 7 Gravitational Field Suggested Solutions

D1 (a) GMm
F=
r2
M, m are the masses of 2 point masses
F is the gravitational force of attraction between the 2 point masses
r is the distance between the 2 point masses
G is the gravitational constant

(b) Gravitational field strength at a point is defined as the gravitational force per unit mass
at that point.
F GMm  1  GM
=
g =  =
m r  m  ( R + h )2
2

where (R + h) is the distance between the centre of the planet to the point that is height
h above its surface

(c) RE ME
= 3.7
= and 81
RM MM
GME
=
gE = 9.8 N kg−1
RE 2

(i) GMM
gM =
RM 2
g M GMM RE 2 M R 2 1
= M × E 2 = × ( 3.7 )
2
= 2 ×
gE RM GME ME RM 81
1
× ( 3.7 ) × 9.8 =1.656 =1.66 N kg−1
2
gM =
81

(ii) Let d be the distance between the this point and the centre of the Earth
Let D be the distance between the centres of the Earth and the Moon
Given:=D 3.84 × 108 m

At the point where the combined gravitational field strength is zero,

g E0 = g M 0
GME GMM
=
(D − d )
2 2
d

D−d MM
=
d ME
MM
=D d +d
ME
 MM 
= d + 1
 M 
 E 
D 3.84 × 108
d= = = 3.456 × 108 = 3.46 × 108 m
 MM  1
 + 1 +1
 81
 ME 

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

D2 (a) (i) GMm

Fg =
r2

=
( )(
6.67 × 10 −11 5.98 × 1024 (1.00 ))
( 6370 × 10 )
2
3

= 9.83 N

(ii) The centripetal force required is

FC = mr ω 2
2
 2π 
= (1.00 ) 6370 × 10  ( 
 24 × 60 × 60 
3
)
= 0.0337 N

(iii) (Fg − T ) is the resultant force on the mass and it provides for the centripetal force
Fg − T =
FC
9.83 − 0.0337 =
T = 9.80 N

(b) (i) Fg = mag

9.83
=
ag = 9.83 m s−2
1.00

(ii) 9.80
=
aT = 9.80 m s−2
1.00

(c) • At the Equator, the student undergoes circular motion.

• The student is measuring the acceleration of free fall, which is the relative
acceleration of the falling ball accelerating due to the gravitational force, with respect
to his (the student’s) acceleration at the Equator, which is his centripetal acceleration.
• The measured acceleration of free fall will thus be smaller than that due to gravity
( afreefall
= agrav − acentri ).
a
• Hence, the statement is wrong.

OR

• The Earth’s gravitational field strength at the Equator is responsible for the centripetal
acceleration of the falling ball and its free fall acceleration i.e. a=
grav acentri + afreefall .
• The measured acceleration of free fall will thus be smaller than the acceleration due
= agrav − acentri ).
to gravity ( afreefall
• Hence, the statement is wrong.

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YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

D3 (a) (i) Angular velocity is the rate of change of angular displacement of the object as it
travels in a circle.

(ii) Period of the Earth round the Sun = 365days × 24h × 60mins × 60s
2π rad 2π rad
ω= = = 1.992 × 10 −7 = 1.99 × 10 −7 rad s−1
T ( 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 ) s

(b) (i) 1.
=
GME m
FE =
( 6.67 × 10 )( 5.98 × 10 )=
−11
( 425 )
24

0.06622
= 0.0662 N
rE 2 (1.60 × 10 )
2
9

2.
=
FS
GMS m
=
( 6.67 × 10 )(1.99 × 10 ) (=
−11
425 )
30

2.562
= 2.56 N
rS 2 (1.50 × 10 − 1.60 × 10 )
2
11 9

(ii)

0.0662 N 2.56 N

(iii) 1. resultant force FR =

2.562 − 0.06622 = 2.50 N towards the Sun
2.496 =

2. F 2.496
acceleration a = R = =5.873 × 10 −3 =5.87 × 10 −3 m s−2
m 425

(iv) a = ω 2r
a 5.873 × 10 −3
ω= = =1.989 × 10 −7 =1.99 × 10 −7 rad s−1
r 1.50 × 1011 − 1.60 × 109

(v) Both the satellite and the Earth have the same period of 1 year around the Sun,
as they both have the same angular velocity as calculated in (a)(ii) and (b)(iv).
The satellite and the Earth will always lie along the same straight line with the Sun
as they orbit around the Sun.

As the satellite is meant to observe the Sun continuously, orbiting around the Sun
will ensure that the satellite will always be able to observe the Sun unobstructed.
If the satellite orbits around the Earth, there will be times when the satellite is on
the other side of Earth such that the Earth is between the satellite and the Sun.
When this happens, the satellite will not be able to observe the Sun fully.

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

(vi) 1. As the satellite is between the Earth and the Sun, the satellite needs to have a
very powerful transmitter to allow its signal to be strong enough to be
distinguished from the electromagnetic waves emitted by the Sun.
2. This orbit is unstable and any disturbance (solar flare, solar radiation pressure,
impact with space dust) will cause the satellite to move from this orbit. The
satellite will need a large fuel tank to keep it in this orbit.
3. It is more expensive and more difficult to send a satellite to this orbit as
compared to an orbit around the Earth because of the long distance.
Fun facts:
The only satellite that can be repaired in space is the Hubble Space Telescope as
it is in low earth orbit and is designed to be serviced by the Space Shuttle. As the
Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, there is currently no ability to repair
satellites in orbit.
The Deep Space Network is NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas
that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit Earth.
https://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/about/

D4 (a) (i) GM
gP =
x2
(ii) GMm
EP = −
x
(b) (i) GM
gS = 2
R
GM 1
=
g 2R = gS
( 2R ) 4
2

GM 1
=
g 3R = gS
( 3R ) 9
2

GM 1
=
g 4R = gS
( 4R ) 16
2

Plot the points on the graph.

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

(ii) g4S

field strength g
2

0
00 1R 2R
2 3R
3 4R
4
distance x

Since the mass is lost uniformly from the surface, the sphere remains spherical
but with a smaller radius.

The gravitational field strength on the surface is

GM G ⋅ 34 π rS3 ρ 4
=g S′ = = 3 π G ρ rS
rS2 rS2
This shows that g S′ is dependent on the radius rS of the sphere (straight dotted
black line).

So while the mass is gradually lost, the graph would gradually shift towards lower
g S′ values, where the starting of the graph is always along the straight dotted black
line, with 1 x 2 variation.

(c) (i) Star A and star B attract each other by Newton’s law of gravitation. By Newton’s
third law, the force of attraction on A by B is equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction to the force of attraction on B by A. The magnitude of this gravitational
GM A MB
force of attraction is .
d2
Since the only force acting on each star is this gravitational force of attraction, the
gravitational force is also the centripetal force on each star.

Hence the magnitude of the centripetal force on each star is the same.

(ii) 2π
ω=
T
2π
=
4.0 × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60
= 4.981× 10 −8 = 4.98 × 10 −8 rad s−1

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

(iii) Consider star A and B in circular motion about the same centre of orbit. Star A and
B will have the same angular speed ω .

gravitational force on A = centripetal force on A = M Aω 2 rA

gravitational force on B = centripetal force on B = MBω 2 rB

Since the gravitational force on A = gravitational force on B,

M Aω 2 rA = MBω 2 rB
rA M B 1
= =
rB M A 3.0

Since the ratio of rA to rB is 1:3,

1 1
rA = d = ( 3.0 × 1011 ) =7.50 × 1010 m
4 4

Note:
centre of mass of the binary star system about which each star rotates is such that
rA M B 1
M A rA = MB rB which also gives = =
rB M A 3.0

(d) Consider star A in circular motion.

The gravitational force on it provides for the centripetal force.
GM A MB
= M Aω 2 r A
d2
ω 2 rA d 2
MB =
G
( 4.981× 10 ) ( 7.50 × 10 ) (3.0 × 10
2
−8 10 11 2
)
= −11
6.67 × 10
29
= 2.512 × 10 = 2.51× 1029 kg

M A = 3.0MB
= 3.0 2.512 × 1029 ( )
= 7.536 × 1029 = 7.54 × 1029 kg

(e) Observe the light intensity of the binary star system.

Minimum intensity occurs when the line joining the 2 stars is along the line of sight from
Earth. At these positions, the stars are directly in front or behind each other and thus
blocking each other’s intensity the most.

The time between 2 minimum intensities is half a period. Multiply this time by 2 to obtain
the period.

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

D5 (a) (i) The gravitational force on the satellite provides for the centripetal force as it orbits
the planet.
GMm v2
= m
r2 r
GM
v orbital =
r
(6.67 × 10 −11 )(5.7 × 1024 )
=
7.0 × 106
= 7.37 × 103 m s-1

(ii) By conservation of energy,

initial total energy at the surface = final total energy at infinity
GMm 1
− + mv 2 = 0
R 2
GMm 1
= mv 2
R 2
2GM
v escape =
R

=
( )(
2 6.67 × 10 −11 5.7 × 1024 )
3
6500 × 10
= 1.08 × 10 m s−1
4

(b) 4 
= ρ  π R3  ρ
M V=
 3 
2GM 8π G ρ
=
v esc = ×R
R 3
v esc ∝R

Therefore, v esc will be reduced by a factor of 103 .

(c) From answers to (a) and (b), vesc will be about 11 m s−1 for smaller planets. Since the
speed of most gas particles would exceed that, they would escape from the surface of
the planet easily. (Average speed of a gas particle is 500 m s–1 at room temperature.)

D6 (a) GM
g=
r2

=
( )(
6.67 × 10 −11 5.98 × 1024 )
( 6.37 × 10 + 0.12 × 10 )
2
6 6

= 9.47 N kg-1

(b) When in orbit, both the satellite and the astronaut are experiencing the same acceleration
and, hence, they are falling at the same rate. Therefore, the astronaut does not
experience any contact force from the floor of the satellite and he seems to float. This is
known as apparent weightlessness.

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

(c) (i) Gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the work done
per unit mass by an external force in bringing a small test mass from infinity to that
point.

(ii) • Gravitational potential (or potential energy) at infinity is zero.

• Since gravitational force is attractive in nature, to bring a mass from infinity to a

point in the gravitational field, the direction of the external force is opposite to
the direction of displacement of the mass. (We can imagine the external force
supporting the mass as it is being lowered towards the Earth.)

• This results in negative work done by the external force.

• Hence, based on its definition, gravitational potential (or potential energy) has
a negative value.

(d) ∆U = m∆φi
= m (φf − φi )
  GM   GM  
= m  −  − −  

  rS   rE  
 1 1 
= ( )
6.67 × 10−11 (5.98 × 1024 ) ( 3000 )  − 6
 0.12 × 10 + 6.37 × 10
6
+ 6 
6.37 × 10 
 1 1 
= ( )
6.67 × 10−11 (5.98 × 1024 ) ( 3000 )  −
 6.49 × 10
6
+ 6 
6.37 × 10 
9
= 3.47 × 10 J

D7 The gradient of the tangent to the curve at r = RE represents the value of the gravitational force
on the mass m by the Earth at the surface of the Earth.

(a) Point B.
At the top of its trajectory at distance R, kinetic energy of the rocket is zero. Hence its
total energy is equal to its potential energy. Point B is the point at which the potential
energy graph and line PQ coincides.

(b) Point C.
If the rocket is already falling back to Earth at distance R (i.e. the top of its trajectory is
at a height greater than R), its total energy must be greater than at point B as kinetic
energy is now a positive non-zero value. However, it cannot be point D or E as these
energies will allow the rocket to reach infinity and not fall back towards the Earth.

(c) Point D.
If the rocket has just enough energy to reach infinity, its total energy is zero.

Point E.
If the rocket has more than ‘just enough energy’ due to the launch speed being more
than the minimum escape velocity, its total energy is positive and is non-zero at infinity.

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

D8 GmE m
U= −
r

(a) The gravitational potential at any point between Earth and Moon is given by
GMM GME
φ= − − where rM and rE is the distance from the centre of Moon and Earth
rM rE
respectively.

At a point near to either Moon or Earth, where rM or rE is very small, the gravitational
potential is very negative. If we move away from Moon towards Earth, rM increases while
rE decreases. This means that the potential will increase (become less negative) and
peak at a point before decreasing towards Earth (becoming more negative again near
Earth). The asymmetry is due to the different masses of Moon and Earth.

(b) The gravitational field strength at any point between the Moon and the Earth can be
found from the gradient of the potential-distance graph at that point. Multiplying the value
of the gradient by the mass of the tektite gives the resultant gravitational force on the
tektite at that point.

(c) Since the gradient of the tangent at point P is zero, the resultant gravitational force on
the tektite when it is at point P is zero.
FM = FE
GMMm GME m
= where m is the mass of the tektite
x2 y2
x 2 MM 7.4 × 1022
= =
y 2 ME 6.0 × 1024
x
= 0.11
y

(d) From the surface of the Moon to point P, there is an increase in the gravitational potential
of
∆φ = φf − φi =( −1.3 × 106 ) − ( −3.9 × 106 ) =2.6 × 106 J kg−1 .
To overcome this potential barrier, the tektite must be projected with an amount of kinetic
energy that is equivalent to the corresponding increase in gravitational potential energy.

For the tektite to be just able to reach point P from the surface of the Moon (i.e. final
kinetic energy of tektite at P is zero),

decrease in K.E. = increase in P.E.

1
0 m (φf − φi )
mv o 2 −=
2
=
vo 2 (φf − φi )

= (
2 2.6 × 106 )
= 2.3 × 103 m s-1

After point P, the gravitational potential decreases all the way to Earth. The tektite will
accelerate towards Earth under the action of a stronger gravitational force due to Earth.

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YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

(e) • Since atmospheric resistance is neglected, the total energy (K.E. + G.P.E.) of the
tektite remains constant.
• As the tektite moves from the Moon to point P, its K.E. decreases by the same
amount as the increase in its G.P.E. As the tektite moves from point P to Earth,
G.P.E. is converted back to K.E.
• Since the change in G.P.E. is much greater when it moves from point P to Earth
compared to when it moves from the Moon to point P, the tektite will have a much
higher K.E. when it reaches Earth.
• Hence, the tektite will reach the Earth’s surface with a speed greater than the speed
of projection from the Moon.

D9 (a) (i) The gravitational force on the satellite by the Earth provides the centripetal force for
the circular motion of the satellite.
GMm mv 2
= where m is the mass of the satellite
R2 R
GM
v2 =
R

(ii) 1
Ek = mv 2
2
1 GM
Ek = m( )
2 R
GMm
Ek =
2R

(b) (i) GMm

Ep = −
R

(ii) E=
t Ek + E p
GMm  GMm 
=
Et + −
2R  R 
GMm
Et = −
2R

Note that the total energy of a bound system is negative.

(c) (i) Since the satellite is losing energy, total energy Et decreases to become more
negative.

(ii) 1. From the expression for Et, Et decreases when R decreases.

2. From the expression for Ek, Ek increases when R decreases. Therefore speed
increases.

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

D10 (a) (i) The gravitational force acting on the satellite in orbit provides for the centripetal
force.
GMm mv 2
=
R2 R
GMm
mv 2 =
R
1 1 GMm
kinetic energy of the satellite, mv 2 =
2 2 R

(ii) GMm
gravitational potential energy of satellite = −
R
gravitational potential energy of satellite  GMm   1 GMm 
= −   
kinetic energy of satellite  R  2 R 
= −2

(b) (i) K.E. of satellite =

1
− ( G.P.E. of satellite )
2

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 RAFFLES INSTITUTION
YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

(ii) From the graph,

K.E. at R = 4Rp is 1.3 × 109 J
1
⇒ mv12 =× 1.3 109
2
2 (1.3 × 109 )
⇒ v=
1 = 1.275 × 103 m s−1
1600

K.E. at R = 2Rp is 2.5 × 109 J

1
⇒ mv 2 2 =× 2.5 109
2
2 ( 2.5 × 109 )
⇒ v=
2 = 1.768 × 103 m s−1
1600

change in orbital speed,

v1 (1.768 × 103 ) − (1.275 × 10=
v 2 −= 3
) 493 m s−1

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YEAR 5-6 PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

C1 For a uniform solid sphere,

4
M= π R 3 ρ.
3

Gravitational field strength acting on m inside the sphere, distance r from the centre,
4 
G  π r 3ρ 
3
g=  2 
r
 
 4  M 
G πr 3  
3   4 π R3 
= 3 
r2
GMr
= 3
R

R GM r GMr ′
=φ ∫∞ r′ 2
dr ′ + ∫
R R3
dr ′
R r
 GM   GMr ′2 
= −
 r′  +  3 
  ∞  2R  R
GM GMr 2 GMR 2
=
− + −
R 2R 3 2R 3
GMr 2 3GM
= −
2R 3 2R

GMmr ′
0
W =∫ dr ′
R R3
0
 GMmr ′2 
= 3 
 2R R
GMm
= −
2R
GMm
Hence, work done by gravitational force is .
2R

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