21 Gravitational fields

AQA Physics Answers to practice questions

Question Answer Marks Guidance
1 (a) (i) –11 1
2GM 2  6.7  10  6.0  10 24
r= =–
2
c (3.0  108 ) 2
–3
= 8.93 × 10 m = 8.9 mm 1
1 (a) (ii) Volume of sphere of radius 9 mm 1
4πr 2 4π (9.0  10 –3 ) 3
= =
3 3
–6 3
= 3.05 × 10 m
mass 6.0  10 24 1
Density ρ = =
volume 3.05 10 – 6
30 –3 1
= 2.0 × 10 kg m
1 (b) (i) Michell’s idea was put forward as a hypothesis 2
because it was an untested idea,
or
a scientific hypothesis is a suggestion,
prediction or untested idea. Einstein used
mathematics to predict his General Theory of
Relativity,
or
Schwarzschild predicted (using General
Relativity) that light could not escape from a
sufficiently massive object.
1 (b) (ii) Stars photographed near the Sun during a total 1
solar eclipse were displaced relative to each
other.
The light from each star was bent by the Sun’s 1
gravitational field as it skimmed the Sun.
This observation confirmed the prediction by 1
Einstein.
1 (c) FOR 5 There are 5 marks available so 5 points
Either to be made. There are two marks for
• Scientific knowledge is expanded in scientific each of the two views, one for
projects ✓, for example space exploration has identifying a relevant argument and the
vastly increased our knowledge of the Solar other for
System ✓ outlining it adequately. Regardless of
or which of the two views you support, the
fifth mark is for providing a valid
• New scientific projects can lead to important
argument against the view you do not
new discoveries ✓, for example HST led to the support.
discovery of many stars and galaxies ✓
or
• New scientific projects can lead to new
technologies ✓, for example more powerful
space rockets used to reach the Moon made
geostationary satellites possible ✓
AGAINST
Either
• Improved living conditions in poorer countries
would benefit many more people than a space
project would ✓, for example provision of
clean water ✓
or
• Cost of the project would be met by
taxpayers ✓ and there would be no direct

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 21 Gravitational fields
AQA Physics Answers to practice questions
Question Answer Marks Guidance
immediate benefits ✓
or
• Scientific expertise could be better used
✓, for example on developing renewable
energy sources to combat global warming ✓

If FOR
Either
• Improved living conditions in poorer countries
would benefit many more people than a space
project would – satellite communication has
brought benefits to everyone, for example
immediate disaster relief.
or
• Cost of the project would be met by
taxpayers – more people would be employed
as scientific firms would be contracted to
supply parts.
or
• Scientific expertise could be better used –
the demand for scientific expertise could be
met by training more scientists If AGAINST:
Either.
• Scientific knowledge is expanded in scientific
projects – there may be cheaper and less risky
ways of pursuing knowledge of deep space
(for example more advanced and bigger
terrestrial telescopes linked to more powerful
computers).
or
• New scientific projects can lead to important
new discoveries – as above,
or
• New scientific projects can lead to new
technologies – as above
2 (a) (i) The gravitational field strength at a point is the 1 The mark would be awarded for
force per unit mass acting on a small test mass F
placed at that point in the field. g= provided F and m were defined.
m
‘Force on a 1 kg mass’ would also be
acceptable.
1 2
2 (a) (ii) N kg− (not m s− ) 1 g has two distinct meanings, and has
the same numerical value in both
meanings.
Treated as an acceleration, the unit is
2
m s− . Treated as a field strength, the
1
unit is N kg− .
2 (b) (i) Since gp = gQ, it follows that 1 This solution relies on the relationship
GM GM Q between g and the other quantities
= GM
R 2
RQ 2 involved in a radial field: g = . You
R2
MR Q 2 M (3R ) 2 are told in the question that, at the
∴ MQ = = since RQ = 3R 1
R2 R2 surface of the planets, gP = gQ
giving mass of Q = 9 M 1

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 21 Gravitational fields
AQA Physics Answers to practice questions
Question Answer Marks Guidance
Line drawn on graph: 3 Planet Q has 9 times the mass of planet
• Starts at 3R, with same initial value of g as P. At any given radius, gQ will be 9 times
existing curve; greater than gp, since g ∝ M. Your
• is a curve of decreasing negative gradient; curve
1 must start at 3R, since this is the
• shows the correct 2 relationship, 1
r surface radius of Q, and show a 2
checked from points (for example at 6R, r
value should be exactly 1.0 vertical square; at relationship correctly for full marks.
12R it should be 0.25 of a vertical square).
3 (a) Relevant points about the geosynchronous Any 3 Full marks ought to be obtained easily in
satellite include: part (a) if a few facts have been
• It orbits over the Equator. committed to memory. In your answer,
• It maintains a fixed position in relation to the take care over the use of language:
surface of the Earth. geosynchronous satellites are not
• It has a period of 24 hours (the same as the stationary, even though they appear to
Earth’s period of rotation on its axis). be at rest when viewed from the rotating
Earth! They are important as a major
Relevant comparisons with the satellite in a means of communicating data. Satellite
low polar orbit include: television relies on their use, so TV
aerial dishes can be in fixed positions. A
• The geosynchronous satellite enables
satellite in low polar orbit has a fairly
uninterrupted communication between a
short time period, scanning the Earth
transmitter and a receiver whereas the
several times during the day.
other satellite does not.
• Unlike the other satellite, the
geosynchronous satellite does not require the
use of a steerable dish.
3 (b) (i) Using the given symbols, the 1 Your answer must be in terms of ω to
centripetal force equation is satisfy the question. The orbit radius is
GMm 2 (R + h), because the satellite is at height
= m ω (R + h) h above the surface of a planet radius
(R  h) 2
R.
3 (b) (ii) 2π 1 The physical basis of this answer is the
Substitution of ω = leads to same as that in Question 2(b), but here
T
the theory is applied to a satellite rather
GMm 4π 2 than a planet. The final result is again
=
(R  h) 3
T2 along the lines of Kepler’s 3rd law, T ∝
2
3
and rearrangement of this gives 1 R , which applies to satellites orbiting
4π 2 (R  h) 3 planets as well as to planets orbiting the
2
T = Sun.
GM
3 (b) (iii) The limiting case is when the satellite 1 A lower orbit produces a shorter period.
orbits the Earth at zero height; h = 0 The lowest conceivable orbit is a
2 4π 2 (R h) 2 satellite grazing the surface of the Earth.
T = 1 The period of this would be around 85
GM
min, so any real satellite must have a
4π 2  (6.37  10 6 ) 3 longer period. Values for R and M are
=
6.67 10 –11  5.98 10 24 taken from the Data Booklet.
gives T = 5060 s (= 84.3 min) 1
3 (c) The speed of the satellite increases. 1 A lower satellite travels at a faster
It loses potential energy but gains kinetic 1 speed and has a shorter period.
energy, 2 1 GMm
Alternatively v ∝ , from =
r r2
2
mv
r

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 21 Gravitational fields
AQA Physics Answers to practice questions
Question Answer Marks Guidance
4 (a) (i) Gravitational field strength at the surface of the 1 The equation relating the field strength g
GM to R follows from considering the
Earth gs = gravitational force acting on a mass m.
R2
1 GMm
Gravitational field strength at height h This is given by either mg or by .
GM R2
g= Equating the two values produces the
(R  h) 2
result. The Earth may be considered as
g R2  R 
2
1
a point mass M placed at its centre,
∴ = , giving g = gs  which is a distance (R + h) from the
gs (R  h) 2 Rh
point at
height h above the surface.
4 (a) (ii)  
2 1 Direct substitution into the equation g =
6.37 10 6
g = 9.81 ×   GM
 (6.37 10 6 )  (2.00  10 5  from (a)(i) produces a swift
  (R  h) 2
–1 1
= 9.22 N kg
solution.

4 (b) Relevant points include: Any 3 If ‘weight’ means the pull of gravity
• the force of gravity on the astronaut is still acting on an object, then the astronaut
mg, where g is the local value of the field is certainly not weightless. The situation
strength within the spacecraft; is comparable to a lift where all the
• this force provides the centripetal force to supporting cables have broken. Both the
keep the astronaut in orbit; lift and its contents would be in free fall.
• the astronaut is in free fall, as is the Because the contents are unsupported
spacecraft; they appear weightless, but they are
actually falling to Earth at the
• the astronaut appears weightless because
acceleration of free fall!
he or she is not supported.
5 (a) (i) Area indicated between the curve and the 2 Just as the area under a force−distance
distance axis, which graph represents work done, the area
• starts at distance = 1700 km under a graph of g against distance
• ends at distance = 5700 km represents the work done on a 1 kg
mass.
5 (a) (ii) By counting squares, the area in (a)(i) is 1 The work done on a 1 kg mass is the
90 ± 10 squares change in gravitational potential, ΔV.
Area of one square 1 This is represented by the area you
–1
= 200 km × 0.1 N kg were expected to mark in part (a)(i). The
–1
4
= 1.8 × 10 J kg equation ΔW = mΔV indicates that the
4
Work done on 1 kg = 90 × 2.0 × 10 1 work done on a 450 kg mass will be 450
6 times greater.
= (1.8 ± 0.2) × 10 J
∴change of gravitational potential Alternatively: From the graph, when r =
energy of satellite = 450 × 1.8 × 10
6 1 1700 km,
1
= (8.1 ± 1.0) × 10 J
8 g = 1.77 N kg− .
GM
Substitution in g = 2 gives
r
12
GM = 5.12 × 10 , allowing you to find
ΔV by evaluating
GM
V=− for r = 1700 km and 4000 km.
r
Application of
ΔW = m ΔV then leads to the same
result.

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 21 Gravitational fields
AQA Physics Answers to practice questions
Question Answer Marks Guidance
5 (b) Relevant points include: 5 Once the returning Moon probe passes
• The satellite must be raised to a point the ‘neutral point’, it will fall to Earth
beyond that at which the resultant gravitational under the influence of the Earth’s
field strength of the Earth/Moon is zero. gravitational pull. The fuel carried must
• This is much closer to the Moon than to the be sufficient to get it beyond this point.
Earth. The gravitational pull of the Moon is
• The Moon’s mass is much less than the much less than that of the Earth. Both
Earth’s mass. the force and the distance involved are
much smaller, so much less work has to
1
• At their surfaces, gMoon is only of gEarth be done to escape from the Moon than
6 from Earth. This means that much less
1 1
(1.7 N kg− << 9.8 N kg− ). fuel will be required for the returning
• The escape speed from the Moon is much journey.
less than that from Earth. Multi−stage rockets are used to escape
• On returning, the gravitational potential from the Earth, so that some weight can
energy needed is much less so the kinetic be jettisoned as the fuel is used up.
energy at launch can be much less.
• The total rocket weight at launch is much
greater on Earth.
6 (a) Gravitational potential at a point is the work 1 If a test mass is released from a point
done per unit mass (by an external agent)... an infinite distance from another body,
to move a small test mass from infinity to the 1 work is done on the test mass by the
point. gravitational field of the body as the
mass comes closer. Therefore the
external agent does not have to provide
positive work, indeed the gravitational
potential is always negative. (Its value
is taken to be zero at infinity.)
6 (b) GM E 1 In order to satisfy the requirements of
At surface of Earth VE = – the question, you are only allowed to
RE
use the data given in the question itself.
GM M The first mark is for recognising how to
At surface of Moon VM = –
RM apply the general equation for
ME 3.7 3.7 GM E 1 GM
∴ VM = −G × × =– × gravitational potential, V = − , to the
81 RE 81 RE r
3.7 Earth and Moon. The second mark is for
= × VE appreciating how to rearrange the
81 algebra
gives gravitational potential at surface of in the two equations, and the third is for
2
Moon VM = 4.57 × 10− × (−63) evaluating the gravitational potential.
−1 1 1
= −2.88 MJ kg or −2.9 MJ kg− M R
Note that MM = E and that RM = E .
81 3.7

6 (c) Line drawn on graph: Any 3 Gravitational potential is a scalar

• Starts at (surface of Earth, V = −63) and quantity. The total potential at any point
ends at V = −2.9, and begins as a curve of along a line joining the Earth and Moon
decreasing positive gradient... is the sum of the potentials produced by
• rises to a value close to (but below) zero... the Earth and Moon separately. The
turning point (maximum) of the graph is
• then falls to surface of Moon...
the ‘neutral point’, where the resultant
• from a point which is much closer to the gravitational field strength is zero. See
Moon than to Earth. Question 5(b), which is about what
happens when a Moon probe is brought
back to Earth over this ‘potential hill’.

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 21 Gravitational fields
AQA Physics Answers to practice questions
Question Answer Marks Guidance
7 (a) The force between two point masses 2 This is Newton’s law of gravitation.
• is proportional to the product of the masses
• and inversely proportional to the square of
their separation.
7 (b) (i) GM 1 1 The question asks you to show inverse
Since V = – , it follows that V ∝ , proportion. The final part of your answer
R R
∴ V × R should be constant. should end with the conclusion that,
since V × R has been shown to be
Calculation of V × R for the three lines in the
8 10 constant, the potential is inversely
table, e.g. 7.0 × 10 × 19 × 10 .
20 proportional to the distance from the
(all three values should be –1.33 × 10 )
centre of the Sun.
1 1
∴V ∝ ,
R
7 (b) (ii) GM 1 It is necessary to show how the
It is clear from the formulae g =
R2 V
equation g = is arrived at from the
GM R
and V = (–) , both of which apply in a equations for g and V, because it is not
R
a general
radial field, that the value of g is given by g =
formula that can be applied to all fields.
V (The general formula is
in this case.
R V
g=– .)
GM S r
Alternatively since V = – ,
RS
8 10
GMS = 7.0 × 10 × 19 × 10
20 The value is to be determined for g
= 1.33 × 10
1 ‘near the surface of the Sun’. Only the
From the first line of the table,
first line in the table is relevant; the
V 19  1010 other two lines apply at larger distances
g= =
R 7.0  10 8 from the Sun.
Alternatively
GM S 1.33 10 20
G= =
RS 2 (7  10 8 ) 2
–1 –1
= 271 N kg or 270 N kg 1
7 (b) (iii) GM S 1 Start by finding the gravitational
At the Earth’s position, VS = – potential due to the Sun in the position
RS
of the Earth’s orbit. The Earth’s absolute
1.33 10 20 8 –1 potential energy is ME × VS. If it is
= = –8.87 × 10 J Kg
1.5  10 11 removed to infinity (where the
Potential energy of Earth = ME × VS 1 gravitational attraction of the Sun would
24
= 6.0 × 10 × (−8.87 × 10 )
8 be zero), the Earth’s absolute potential
33 energy would be 0.
= −5.32 × 10 J
Potential energy needed to escape 1
33 33
= 0 − (−5.32 × 10 ) = 5.32 × 10 J
33
or 5.3 × 10 J

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 21 Gravitational fields
AQA Physics Answers to practice questions
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7 (b) (iv) Orbital speed v of Earth around Sun 1 The Earth takes one year to orbit the
2πR 2π  1.5  1011 Sun. The orbiting Earth already has a
= = large amount of kinetic energy. Suppose
T 365 24  3600
4 –1 the Earth stops when it arrives at
= 2.99 × 10 m s infinity. Its
1 2 EK has then all been converted to EP
EK = mv
2 1 as a contribution to the minimum total
1 24 4 2 energy needed to escape.
= × 6.0 × 10 × (2.99 × 10 )
2
33
= 2.68 × 10 J
Energy needed = (5.32 – 2.68) × 10
33 1
33
= 2.64 × 10 J or
33
2.6 × 10 J
8 (a) (i) Gravitational potential energy of rocket 1 This is (gravitational potential at the
GMm Earth’s surface) × (mass of rocket).
=–
R
8 (a) (ii) In escaping from the Earth, potential energy 1 When the rocket escapes, it is moved
gained = kinetic energy lost an infinite distance from Earth so that
GMm 1 2 the there is no longer any gravitational
∴ = mv attraction. At infinity the gravitational
R 2
Mass m of rocket cancels, giving escape potential energy of the rocket is zero (V
= 0 by definition at infinity) and we
2GM 1 presume that the rocket stops moving
speed v =
R when it arrives there.
8 (b) 2 M Alternatively:
From the above equation v ∝ escape speed from planet
R
2 2GM
 vp  M R 4M E R v=
∴   = p × E =
 × E =2 R
 vE  Rp ME 2R E ME
2  6.67 10 –11  4  5.98 10 24
∴ escape speed from planet =
2  6.37 10 6
vP = 2 vE = 2 × 11.2 4 1 1
= 15.8 km s−
1 = 1.56 × 10 m s− (15.6 km s− ).
(But this method does not make use of
1
the value of 11.2 km s− given in the
question.)
8 (c) Relevant points: Since some of the rocket’s kinetic
• Work is done against air resistance whilst in energy is not effective in raising its
the atmosphere gravitational potential energy, it will
• Some of the rocket’s kinetic energy is need more kinetic energy at the start.
converted into thermal energy in heating the This means that the escape speed
rocket and the atmosphere would need to be greater than that
calculated from the equation in (a)(ii).
Note, however, that it is somewhat
misleading to apply this theory to a
space rocket. Rockets are not ‘thrown’
into space as a stone might be;
they are accelerated as they rise.

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