Worksheet 3 Mark Scheme Gravitational field

1
−11 26
6 . 67×10 ×1.0×10
1. Gravitational field strength at a point, g, is the 72
force experienced per unit mass at that point. [1] g= ( 2 .2×10 )  
(magnitude only) [1]
GMm g = 13.8 N kg–1 = 14 N kg–1 [1]
− 2
2. F  r
[1]
N m2
Therefore: G =
Fr
Mm
2

→
[ ]
kg2
→ [N m2 kg–2] [1]

GMm
GMm
3. (a) F = r2 −
6. (a) F= r2
[1]
−11 −27 −27 [1]
6. 67×10 ×1. 7×10 ×1.7×10 −11 24
−14 2
6 . 67×10 ×1800×6 . 0×10
F= ( 5.0×10 )
F= ( 3 . 9×1010 )2
[1]
F  7.7  10–38 N [1] 7 . 8×10 10
−11
6. 67×10 ×5.0×10 ×5. 0×10 28 28
( r=
2
=3 . 9×1010 m )
[1]
(b) F = ( 8 . 0×10 12) 2 F = 4.74 ´ 10–4 N = 4.7 ´ 10–4 N [1]
[1]
GMm
F = 2.61 ´ 1021 N = 2.6 ´ 1021 N [1] −
(b) F= r2
2
6 . 67×10−11 ×1800×6 . 4×10 23
−11
6 . 67×10 ×1500
(c) F = 2 . 02 ( 3. 9×1010 )2
F=
[1] [1]
F = 6.00 ´ 10–6 N  6.00 ´ 10–6 N [1] F = 5.05 ´ 10–5 N  5.1 ´ 10–5 N [1]
GM F
−
4. (a) g = r2
(c) a = m  (F is the net force.)
[1] [1]
(b) The field strength obeys an inverse square
1 4.74 104  5.05 105
a= 1800
law with distance (g  r 2 ).
[1]
[1]
Doubling the distance decreases the field a = 2.4 ´ 10–7 m s–2 
strength by a factor of four. [1] (towards the centre of the Earth) [1]

GM / ( 5 R )2 GMm
2 −
(c) ratio = GM / ( 59 R ) 7. (a) F= r2
[1] [1]
2
592 59 −11
6 . 67×10 ×5000×6 . 0×10
24

ratio = 5
2
=
( )
5
F= ( 6800×10 ) 32
  
[1]
(r = 6400 + 400 = 6800 km) [1]
ratio = 140 [1]
F = 4.33 ´ 104 N = 4.3 ´ 104 N [1]

4
GM F 4. 33×10
− 2
5. g = r (b) a = m = 5000
[1] [1]
 Worksheet 3 Mark Scheme Gravitational field
2
–2
a = 8.66 = 8.7 m s [1] ME

v
2
[1]
Rx=x´ √ MM

(c) a= r
[1] Rxx´ √ 81  
v2 = ar = 8.66 ´ 6800 ´ 103 [1] so  R  x = 9x [1]
v = 7.67 ´ 103 m s–1 = 7.7 km s–1 [1] R
10x = R so x = 10
8. (a) The work done in bringing unit mass [1] [1]
from infinity to the point [1]

(b) 0 J [1] Examination Questions

−11 24
6 . 67×10 ×6 .0×10
(c) Ep =  6. 4×10 6    1. (a) work done in bringing/moving unit mass
([1] mark only if minus sign missed) [2] from infinity to the point
(use of 1 kg in the definition – max 1/2)
= 6.25 ´ 106 J [1]
[2]
(b) potential at infinity defined as being zero
(d) 6.25 ´ 106 J [1]
forces are always attractive
so work got out in moving to point
(max potential is at infinity – allow 1/3)
[3]
(c) (i) φ = -GM/R
GMm change
9. (a) Gravitational force on planet = r2 = 6.67 x 10-11 x 6.0 x 1024 x
[1] ({6.4 x 106}-1 - {1.94 x 107}-1)
mv
2 change = 4.19 x 107 J kg-1
(ignore sign)
Centripetal force = r
[1]
Equating these two forces, we have:
2
GMm mv
r2 = r
(ii) ½mv2 = m Δ φ
[1]
v2 = 2 x 4.19 x 107 = 8.38 x 107
GM GM
Therefore: v2 =
[1]
r  or v = √ r
v = 9150 m s-1

(d) acceleration is not constant

[5]

[1]
−11 30 (J03 Q1)
GM 6 . 67×10 ×2. 0×10
(b) v =
[1]
√ r = √ 1 .5×1011
2. (a) centripetal force is provided by gravitational
v = 2.98 ´ 104 m s–1 = 30 km s–1 [1] force
mv2 / r = GMm / r2
hence v = √(GM / r) [2]
10. The field strengths are the same at point P.
(b) (i) EK (= ½mv2) = GMm / 2r [1]

(ii) EP = - GMm / r [1]

(iii) ET = - GMm / r + GMm / 2r

= - GMm / 2r. [2]

GM E (c) (i) if ET decreases then - GMm / 2r becomes

GM M
more negative
x2 = ( R−x )2 or GMm / 2r becomes larger
[1] so r decreases [2]

(ii) EK = GMm / 2r and r decreases

 Worksheet 3 Mark Scheme Gravitational field
3
so (EK and) v increases [2]
(J06 Q1)

3. (a) work done moving unit mass

from infinity to the point [2]

(b) (i) at R, φ = 6.3 × 107 J kg–1

(allow ± 0.1 × 107)
φ = GM / R
6.3 × 107 = (6.67 × 10–11 × M) / (6.4 × 106)
M = 6.0 × 1024 kg (allow 5.95 → 6.14) [3]
Maximum of 2/3 for any value chosen for φ
not at R

(ii) change in potential = 2.1 × 107 J kg–1

(allow ± 0.1 × 107)
loss in potential energy = gain in kinetic energy
½ mv 2 = φ m
or ½ mv 2 = GM / 3R
½ v 2 = 2.1 × 107
v = 6.5 × 103 m s–1
(allow 6.3 → 6.6) [4]
(answer 7.9 × 103 m s–1, based on x = 2R, allow
max 3 marks)

(iii) e.g. speed / velocity / acceleration would be

greater
deviates / bends from straight path [2]
(any sensible ideas, 1 each, max 2)
(J 10/42/Q1)

4. (a) force per unit mass

(ratio idea essential) [1]

(b) graph: correct curvature

from (R,1.0 gS) & at least one other correct point
[2]

(c) (i) fields of Earth and Moon are in opposite

directions
either resultant field found by subtraction of the
field strength
or any other sensible comment
so there is a point where it is zero [2]
(allow FE = –FM for 2 marks)

(ii) GME / x2 = GMM / (D – x)2

(6.0 × 1024) / (7.4 × 1022) = x2 / (60RE – x)2
x = 54 RE [3]

(iii) graph: g = 0 at least ⅔ distance to Moon

gE and gM in opposite directions
correct curvature (by eye) and gE > gM at surface
[3]
(N10/41/Q1)