2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

Level 1
1 C
By conservation of energy,
Gain in K.E. = Loss in G.P.E.
1 2 GMm GMm
mv GPEinitial GPE final [ ] ...(1)
2 (1500 10 )
3
(500 103 )
GM
Since g 2.0 ...(2)
(500 103 )2
From (1) and (2), v = 1 155 m/s (Ans)

2 C

GM g planet M planet REarth 2 1 1

g ( )( 2
) 4( ) 2
R2 g Earth M Earth Rplanet 4 4

3 C
Based on the equations for F and U.

4 B
GMm Gm Gm Gm 4
F 2
F 2 M 2 (M 2 M1 ) 2 ( r 3 ( 2 1 )) ... 2.65 104 N
R R R R 3
5 D
1 1
Forbit Fsurface
GMm 2 2
F 2 , 5904 5760 0.048
r Fsurface 1
57602

6 B
GMm
Approximate mass ~ 60 kg each, approximate distance ~ 1 m. Use F .
r2
7 C

The escape speed is the minimum speed an object must have at the surface of planet to eventually leave the
planet's gravitational field.

By conservation of energy, consider an object of mass m possessing escape speed vesc such that it eventually
escapes the planet's gravitational influence.

GPEinitial + KEinitial = GPEfinal + KEfinal

GMm 1
mvesc 2 0 0
Rsurface 2

2GM
vesc
R
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

vesc , E M E RM
Hence, ... 2.22
vesc.M M M RE

8 B
GMm
GPE = gets more negative.
R
9 B

GMm 4 2
Fgravitational Fcentripetal mR( 2 ) T 2 R3
R2 T
R23 (8 days)3

R13 (1 day)3

10 A
GMm GMm 1.0
GPE GPE final GPEinitial ( ) 30 kg(-1.0-(- )) 20 MJ
rX rY 3
11 C
Assuming that if falls from rest, by conservation of energy

GPEinitial KEinitial KE final GPE final Energy dissipated as heat

1
mi mvi 2 KE final m f 2.0 108 J
2
K.E.final = ...= 2.3 x 1010 J

12 A
GMm GM
ma 2
a 2 . a (gradient) decreases as r increases.
r r
13 D
GMm
GPE = . The smaller the value of r, the more negative, the smaller the GPE.
r
mv 2 GMm GM
For speed : 2
vorbital 2
R R R
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

14 D
For vorbital : The satellites having different orbital speeds may not be at the same radius. The centripetal force is
provided by the gravitational force, hence analyse the gravitational force, since there is only one variable R.
Now,

mv 2 GMm GM 1 GMm
vorbital 2 2 vorbital 2 Hence, Fcentripetal = vorbital 4
R R R R R2
FS1 v
Therefore, ( S1 )4 ... 4
FS 2 vS 2

15 C
Gravitational force points towards lower potential energy, hence it points towards planet A.
It accelerates towards planet A. Gain in k.e. = Lost in GPE
1 2
mv 0 m(initial final ) v 9889 m/s
2

16 C

The escape speed is the minimum speed an object must have at the surface of planet to eventually leave the
planet's gravitational field.

By conservation of energy, consider an object of mass m possessing escape speed vesc such that it eventually
escapes the planet's gravitational influence.

GPEinitial + KEinitial = GPEfinal + KEfinal

GMm 1
mvesc 2 0 0
Rsurface 2

2GM 2G 4 8
vesc ( R3 ) R G R
R R 3 3

17 C
Period of geostationary satellites are always 24 h, hence are the same.

GMm 4 2
Using 2
mR( 2 ) T 2 R3 . Hence all geostationary satellites will be at a fixed R from Earth. a =
R T
R2, hence the centripetal acceleration will be constant.
Using

GMm mv 2 1 GMm
2
KE mv 2 . Hence K.E. will be dependent on the mass of the satellite and hence
R R 2 2R
is the only quantity that varies.

18 (i)(ii) At the center of circle.

Gravitational field strength at a point is directly proportional to the mass of the star and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between the star and the point. At the center of the orbit, the
distances to both stars are the same. Thus, the field strength due to the stars are equal and opposite. The
resultant field strength is therefore zero.
(iii) x = 1 + 2 = 2GM/R = 534 J kg-1
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

F
GMm

6.67 10 4.0 10
11 23 2
2.67 x 1014 N
2.0 10
(iv) =
r2 11 2

GMm

mv2
v
GMR

6.67 10 4.0 10 1.0 10
11 23 11

2.0 10
(v)
r2 R r2 11 2

v = 8.17 m s-1
(vi) v = r = r(2/T) T = 2r/v = 2(1.0 x 1011)/(8.17) = 7.69 x 1010 s

19 (a) (i) Gravitational field strength is numerically equal to the potential gradient at the point.
The direction of the gravitational field strength is towards lower potential.
(a) (ii) The gravitational force exerted on the mass is attractive. Hence, when a test mass is moved from a
point in the gravitational field to a point of infinity, positive work is needed to be done by an external agent.
By conservation of energy, the system gains energy (in terms of the potential energy). Zero potential is
set at infinity, hence the initial energy of the system must be lower. Since PE, U = m, hence the
potential values in the field must be negative
(b) (i) m ...= 40 MJ
d
(b) (ii) gravitational field strength, | g || || gradient | ... 0.96 N kg 1 . The direction of g would be
dx
towards the centre of the planet.
(b) (iii) If body has escape velocity at the planets surface, KEsurface = change in GPE from surface to

mv2 = m(f - i) v 2
2 40 106 = 8940 m s-1

20 (a)(i) Newtons Law of Gravitation states that every particle (in the universe) attracts every other particle with
a force that is proportional to the product of their masses [1] and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them. [1]
particles can be replaced by point masses.
(a)(ii) The Moon continues to stay in its orbit as the gravitational force of attraction between the Moon and
Earth is just sufficient to cause the centripetal acceleration of the Moon to move it in circular
motion.
(b)(i) A geostationary orbit is one whereby an object is placed there, they rotate around the earth with the
same angular speed as the earth, so in effect appears to be stationary above a point on the earth.
(b)(ii) The gravitational force on the satellite always acts towards the center of the Earth. For the satellite to
remain above the same point above the Earth, the satellite must have the same angular speed and
share the same axis of rotation. Any satellite orbiting the Earth with the axis of rotation not aligned with
Earths will move in a circular plane at an angle with the equatorial plane and therefore will not remain
above the same point all the time, it will be sometimes over the northern hemisphere and sometimes
over the southern hemisphere.
2
(b)(iii) 7.27 10 5 rad s1
T
GM
(b)(iv) g GM rE2 g 3.99 1014 m 3 s 2
rE2
GMm GM rE2 g
mr 2 r 2 r 3 4.23 10 7 m
r 2
r2 2

Hence, the distance from the surface of Earth = 42.26 10 6.38 106 = 3.59 107 m
6
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

GMm GMm
GPE GPE f GPEi
ri
(b)(v)
rf
1 1
(3.99 1014 )(3000) 6
1.42 1010 J
2 42.26 10 (42.26 10 )
6

GMm GMm
K K f Ki
2r f 2ri
1 1
(3.99 1014 )(3000)( 0.71 1010 J
2(2 42.26 10 ) (2 42.26 10 6 )
6

(b)(vi) Since Earth rotates about its axis from west to east, the satellite must move in the same way as the
rotation of the Earth.
(b)(vii) Since it is stationary with respect to a ground station, there is unchanging line of sight and signals
can be continuously transmitted between the satellite and the ground station.

21 (a)(i) The gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field is the work done per unit mass to bring a
mass from infinity to that point in the field.
GM E GM E
(a)(ii) R E = gRE = 6.28 x 107 J kg-1
RE R 2 E
(b)(i) By Conservation of Energy, GPE(before) + KE(before) = GPE(after) + KE(after)

GM E 1 2
mv 0 + 0
RE 2

GM E 1 2 2GM E
mv v
RE 2 RE

(b)(ii) vesc 2 gRE 1.12 x 104 m s-1

(b)(iii) If an object is launched in an easterly direction it can get some of its escape speed from the speed of
the earth's rotation.
4
(b)(iv) Substitute M E V R 3 into equation.
3
8G 3
(b)(v) Simply substitute c , the speed of light for escape velocity v : c RS RS c
3 8G
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

GM E m 1 2 GM E m 4.0 1014 4.0 1014 r = 1.3 107 m

mv (31.3 10 6
)
22 (i) RE 2 r 6.4 10 6 r

GM E m mv2 v GM E 4.0 1014 v = 5.6 103 m s-1

(ii)
r2 r r 1.3 10 7
(iii) The scale will give a zero reading in both cases.
This is because the astronaut and the scale are moving with the same acceleration g in both cases.
(iv) The rocket will move into an orbit further away from the original orbit.

23 (i) The gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field is the work per unit mass required to move a
test mass from infinity to that point by an external agent without a change in its kinetic energy.
(ii)-(iii)

24 (i) Gravitational force by Earth on S1 provides centripetal force required to keep S1 in circular orbit around
the Earth.
GMm / a2 = mv2/a
EK of S1 = mv2 = GMm / 2a = Us1, where Us1 = GMm / a
(ii) Es1 = Ek1s1 + Us1 = GMm / 2a
(iii) At A, Es2 = GMm / 2a
(2m)vA2 GM(2m) / a = GMm / 2a vA = (3GM / 2a )

At C, (2m)vC2 GM(2m) / (2a - a) = GMm / 2a vC = (5GM / 6a )

25 (c) Refer to Q20.

(d)(i) The centripetal force must act towards the center of the circular motion. Since the centripetal
force is provided by the gravitational force exerted on the satellite by the Earth and the
gravitational force is directed towards the centre of the Earth, the circular orbit must be in the plane
containing the Earths centre. [2]
(d)(ii) Fg Fc [1]
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

GMm mv 2
[1]
r2 r
GM
v [1]
r
(e)(i) Just before collision,

A B

v v

After collision:

V
Applying conservation of linear momentum,

p beforecollision paftercollision
mv mv 2mV [1]
V = 0 m s-1 [1]
(e)(ii) From part (e)(i), the wreakage will be at rest immediately after collision. Under the action of the
gravitational force, the wreakage accelerates towards the centre of the Earth [1] (it no longer moves
in a circle). As it approaches the Earth, the gravitational force which is inversely proportional to the
distance of separation of the two masses increases, and its acceleration increases as it approaches
the Earth [1].

26 (a) The Moon is moving in a direction that is tangent to a circle with its centre at the Earth. The gravitational
attraction provided the centripetal force for the Moon to move in a circle around the Earth. [2]
Comment: Without the gravitational attraction towards the Earth, the Moon will move in a straight line.
The gravitational attraction pulls the Moon towards the Earth in such a way that it keeps falling but never
reaches the Earth, causing the Moon to circle round the Earth.
(b) Work Done = (GPE at 300 km above the Earth) - (GPE at surface of the Earth)
GMm GMm
W [1]
Rh R
where M is Mass of the Earth, R is radius of the Earth and h is height of satellite above the Earth
GMm
mg GM gR 2
R2

Hence, W mgR mgR mgR1 R

2
[1]
R h R h

6.38 10 6

W 3009.81 6.38 10 6 1 8.43 108 J
6
[1]
6.38 10 6
0.3 10
(c)(i) In 12 hours, the satellite would have traversed an angle of 3 radians. [1]
12 2
Hence orbital period, T 8h [1]
3
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

(c)(ii) Gravitational force provides centripetal force

2 4 2 mr
2
GMm
m 2
r m r [1]
r2 T T2
1 1
GMT 2 3
gR 2T 2 3
r 2
2

4 4

8 3600
1
9.81 6.38 10 6 2 2 3

r 2.03 10 7 m [1]
4 2

Height of satellite above the surface of the Earth = 2.03 x 107 6.380 x 106 = 1.39 x 107 m.

27 (a)(i) The gravitational forces of attraction of each star on the other.

(Note: Simply writing 'Centripetal force' is not acceptable.)
Quite a number of students simply wrote 'centripetal force', which is not accepted here. Students need
to understand that the centripetal force is not a physical force and is in fact a resultant force that arises
from the gravitational force of attraction between the two stars.
Surprisingly, a handful of students have the misconception that the gravitational force is exerted by the
point O and each of the stars. They even thought that the point O has a mass (which they assigned as
Mo)! This shows a lack of understanding of the concepts involved.
For the answer to be complete, students need to point out that it is the gravitational forces of attraction
of each star on the other which provides for the centripetal force for each star to orbit.
(a)(ii) (Lengths of arrows equal. Direction of forces are correct.)

A
B

This question was set to test students' understanding that the lengths of 2 arrows should be the same
since the 2 forces form an action-reaction pair (N3L). Indeed, this is the main issue of concern with most
students who did not manage to get the mark. Students should take note of the following: (1) Use pencil
to draw arrows and figures (so that you can erase and redraw should you make any mistakes!); (2) Use
a ruler for straight lines; (3); the arrows should start from the centres of each star; and (4) in this case
where the question specifically states that the relative magnitude of the arrows should be clearly
illustrated, you need to draw an accurate representation [the 2 arrows should have the same length (to
the nearest mm)].
Quite a number of students did not even attempt this question (Missed out the question? Don't
understand what the question wants?), and some even drew 2 vertical arrows pointing vertically
downwards (thinking that gravitational force always acts downwards towards earth). This shows a lack
of understanding of basic concepts involved.
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

(b)(i) F AB FBA

m A rA 2 m B rB 2

Since is the same,

m A rA m B rB

20MrA MrB

rA 1
0.050 (shown)
rB 20

There is a number of different ways to approach the question, all of which revolve around N3L that the
two forces are equal in magnitude since they are an action-reaction pair, and being aware that is the
same for both stars which is already mentioned in the question. However, many students failed to score
for this question. Some of the misconceptions involved are:
Some students thought that O is a neutral point and wrote gA = gB at O. This is not true as O is not a
neutral point! Note that point O is nearer to star A, and in addition, star A has a larger mass than star B;
hence the gravitational field due to star A (gA) will be larger in magnitude as compared to that due to
star B (gB) gnet 0 in this case!
A number of students assumed A = B at that point. This is not true as the gravitational potential due to
both A and B are always negative (except at infinity where = 0), hence the summation of their
gravitational potential would still be negative at any point except infinity.
vA r
(b)(ii) v r . Since is the same, A 0.050
v B rB

Question generally well-answered, but there are quite a handful of students who make very careless
mistakes in their calculations. There are a number of ways to approach the question, all of which involve
equations of circular motion (most commonly used methods include the v r method and the
v 2 v 2 vA
m A A mB B method to work out ratio of ).
rA rB vB

GM A GM A 1 1
(c) = y x= ( ) = GMA ( )
ry rx ry r x

1 1
= 6.67x10-11(20 x 1.50 x 1024) ( )
4.07 10 2.64 10
8 6
4.07 10 2.64 106
8

= 6.38 x 104 J kg-1

More than half of the students did not manage to score full marks for this question. Some fail to realise
that the gravitational potential at point X and point Y due to star B is exactly the same (since distance of
both points from centre of star B is the same). Hence, the difference in gravitational potential is solely
due to the influence of star A alone.
A very common problem faced by students is that they tend to forget that gravitational potential is a
scalar and therefore does not have a direction. The gravitational potential is always negative, given by
GM
the expression . At any point, to get the resultant gravitational potential, one simply has to
r
add up the gravitational potential contributed by each star algebraically. It is noted that students are
often confused with the plus/minus signs.
Quite a number of students apparently are not even familiar with the formula for gravitational potential,
and gave various wrong formulas (some gave formula for gravitational potential energy, and some even
gave formula for gravitational field strength).
Other common mistakes observed include: (a) Misinterpreting the distance between star A and points X
and Y, an indication that they did not read the question carefully, or did not fully understand the
terms/values given; (b) Students use the mass of star B instead of star A in their calculations of y x.
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

Many students did not realise that the question actually asked for y x, and they work out x y
instead. Do read the question very carefully before attempting it!

Level 2
1 B
Above the surface, the entire mass can be taken to be at a point at the centre. Same mass in both models
gh is the same.
Below the surface, only the mass within the radius is considered. The planet with the dense core will always
have an encompassed mass that is greater for the some distance from the centre gd is greater for Y.

2 C

GM 2 s 4 2
The gravitational force provides the centripetal force M ( )( 2 ) . Rearrange to get answer.
s2 2 T
Note: A diagram here will show clearly the radius of the circular motion to be s/2. It is always good to sketch a
diagram for physics questions.

3 A.

GMm
GPE = . The smaller the value of r, the more negative, the smaller the GPE.
r
mv 2 GMm 1 GMm
KE : 2
K .E. mvorbital 2
R R 2 2R

4 A
GM
R = 9000 km, g = 4.9 m/s2. g . Since the gravitational force provides for the centripetal acceleration,
r2
GM
FG FC ... vorbital gr ... 6640 m/s
r
5 C

mv 2 GMm 1 GMm
FG provides Fc : 2
K .E. mvorbital 2 .
R R 2 2R
Since MA > MB , RA > RB.

2 4 2 mR
2
GMm
Given m 2
R m R
R2 T T2

Hence, T2 R3 TA > TB and A < B

GMm

Finally, TE = KE + PE = ...= 2r Since KE = KE , TE = TE .
A B A B
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

6 (a)(i)
Contact force acting on feet of astronaut = weight of astronaut on Earths surface.
Since this contact force provides the centripetal force needed for the astronauts circular motion, Centripetal
force = weight of astronaut on Earths surface.
mr2 = mg r2 = g (30) 2 = 9.81 = 0.572 rad s-1

(a)(ii)
If the astronaut is 15 m from the floor, and is the same as before, then
centripetal force needed to keep him in circular motion = contact force
F = mr2 = m(15) 2
Thus, new weight = [m(30) 2] = W.

(b)(i) Force of gravity experienced by the man

= GMm 6.67 10 6.0 10 60

11 24

586.2 N ~ 590 N
R2 6.4 10
6 2

(b)(ii) Centripetal force = force of gravity contact force

mr2 = 586.2 contact force
(60)(6.4 x 106)(2/24 x 3600)2 = 586.2 contact force
Contact force = 584.1 N = 580 N
2013 C2 H2 Physics Revision Package Gravitation Suggested Solutions

Question 7