Q1.

The gravitational potential difference between the surface of a planet and a point P, 10 m
above the surface, is 8.0 J kg–1. Assuming a uniform field, what is the value of the
gravitational field strength in the region between the planet’s surface and P?

A 0.80 N kg–1

B 1.25 N kg–1

C 8.0 N kg–1

D 80 N kg–1
(Total 1 mark)

Q2.
The diagram shows equipotential lines for a uniform gravitational field. The lines are
separated by 20 m.

An object of mass 4 kg is moved from P to Q.

What is the work done against gravity to move the object?

A 7.2 J

B 7.8 J

C 10.2 J

D 36 J

(Total 1 mark)

Q3.
Figure 1 shows (not to scale) three students, each of mass 50.0 kg, standing at different

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points on the Earth’s surface. Student A is standing at the North Pole and student B is
standing at the equator.

Figure 1 Figure 2

The radius of the Earth is 6370 km.

The mass of the Earth is 5.98 × 1024 kg.

In this question assume that the Earth is a perfect sphere.

(a) (i) Use Newton’s gravitational law to calculate the gravitational force exerted by
the Earth on a student.

force ____________________ N
(3)

(ii) Figure 2 shows a closer view of student A.

Draw, on Figure 2, vector arrows that represent the forces acting on student
A.
(2)

(b) (i) Show that the linear speed of student B due to the rotation of the Earth is
about 460 m s–1.

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 (3)

(ii) Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal force required so that student B
moves with the Earth at the rotational speed of 460 m s–1.

magnitude of the force ____________________ N

(2)

(iii) Show, on Figure 1, an arrow showing the direction of the centripetal force
acting on student C.
(1)

(c) Student B stands on a bathroom scale calibrated to measure weight in newton (N).
If the Earth were not rotating, the weight recorded would be equal to the force
calculated in part (a)(i).

State and explain how the rotation of the Earth affects the reading on the bathroom
scale for student B.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 14 marks)

Q4.
The gravitational field associated with a planet is radial, as shown in Figure 1, but near
the surface it is effectively uniform, as shown in Figure 2.

Alongside each figure, sketch a graph to show how the gravitational potential V
associated with the planet varies with distance r (measured outwards from the surface of
the planet) in each of these cases.

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 Figure 1

Figure 2
(Total 4 marks)

Q5.
The graph below shows how the gravitational potential energy, Ep, of a 1.0 kg mass varies
with distance, r, from the centre of Mars. The graph is plotted for positions above the
surface of Mars.

(a) Explain why the values of Ep are negative.

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Use data from the graph to determine the mass of Mars.

mass of Mars ____________________ kg

(3)

(c) Calculate the escape velocity for an object on the surface of Mars.

escape velocity ____________________ m s–1

(3)

(d) Show that the graph data agree with

(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Q6.
(a) State, in words, Newton’s law of gravitation.

___________________________________________________________________

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 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) By considering the centripetal force which acts on a planet in a circular orbit,
show that T2 R3, where T is the time taken for one orbit around the Sun and R is
the radius of the orbit.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) The Earth’s orbit is of mean radius 1.50 × 1011 m and the Earth’s year is 365 days
long.

(i) The mean radius of the orbit of Mercury is 5.79 × 1010 m. Calculate the length
of Mercury’s year.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Neptune orbits the Sun once every 165 Earth years.

Calculate the ratio .

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q7.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system of satellites that transmit radio signals
which can be used to locate the position of a receiver anywhere on Earth.

(a) A receiver at sea level detects a signal from a satellite in a circular orbit when it is
passing directly overhead as shown in the diagram above.

(i) The microwave signal is received 68 ms after it was transmitted from the
satellite. Calculate the height of the satellite.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Show that the gravitational field strength of the Earth at the position of the
satellite is 0.56 N kg–1.

mass of the Earth = 6.0 × 1024 kg

mean radius of the Earth = 6400 km

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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 (4)

(b) For the satellite in this orbit, calculate

(i) its speed,

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) its time period.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 9 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
A
[1]

Q2.
A
7.2 J
[1]

Q3.
(a) (i) Use of F – GMm/r2

C1
Allow 1 for
-correct formula quoted but forgetting
square in substitution

Correct substitution of data

M1
-missing m in substitution

491 (490)N

A1
-substutution with incorrect powers of 10
Condone 492 N,

(ii) Up and down vectors shown (arrows at end) with labels

B1
allow W, mg (not gravity); R
allow if slightly out of line / two vectors
shown at feet

up and down arrows of equal lengths

B1
condone if colinear but not shown acting on body
In relation to surface W ≤ R (by eye) to allow for weight
vector starting in middle of the body
Must be colinear unless two arrows shown in which case R
vectors ½ W vector(by eye)

(b) (i) Speed = 2πr / T

B1
Max 2 if not easy to follow

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 2π6370000 / (24 × 60 × 60)

B1

463 m s−1

B1
Must be 3sf or more

(ii) Use of F = mv2/r

C1
Allow 1 for use of F = mrω with ω= 460
2

1.7 (1.66 – 1.68) N

A1

(iii) Correct direction shown

(Perpendicular to and toward the axis of rotation)
NB – not towards the centre of the earth

B1

(c) Force on scales decreases / apparent weight decreases

Appreciates scale reading = reaction force

C1

The reading would become 489 (489.3)N or reduced by 1.7 N)

A1

Some of the gravitational force provides the necessary centripetal force

B1
or R = mg – mv /r
2

[14]

Q4.

gradient decreases as r increases (1)

V increases as r increases (1)

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 only negative values of V shown (1)

constant gradient (1)

V increases as r increases (1)
[max 4]

Q5.
(a) zero potential at infinity (a long way away)

B1

energy input needed to move to infinity (from the point)

work done by the field moving object from infinity
potential energy falls as object moves from infinity

B1
2

(b) Any pair of coordinates read correctly

C1
±1/2 square

Use of

C1
Rearrange for M

6.4 (±0.5) × 1023 kg

A1
3

(c) Reads correct potential at surface of Mars = −12.6 (MJ)

C1
or reads radius of mars correctly (3.5 × 10 )
6

equates to ½ v2 (condone power of 10 in MJ)

C1
use of v = √(2GM/r) with wrong radius

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 5000 ± 20 m s−1 (condone 1sf e.g. 5 km s−1)

A1
e.c.f. value of M from (b) may be outside range for other
method 6.2 × 10−9x √their M
3

(d) Attempts 1 calculation of Vr

B1
Many values give 4.2.... so allow mark is for reading and
using correct coordinates but allow minor differences in
readings
Ignore powers of 10 but consistent

Two correct calculation of Vr

B1

Three correct calculations with conclusion

B1
3
[11]

Q6.
(a) attractive force between point masses (1)
proportional to (product of) the masses (1)
inversely proportional to square of separation/distance apart (1)
3

(b) mω2R = (–) (1)

(use of T = gives) (1)

G and M are constants, hence T2 R3 (1)

3

(c) (i) (use of T2 R3 gives) (1)

Tm = 87(.5) days (1)

(ii) (1) (gives RN = 4.52 × 1012 m)

ratio = = 30(.1) (1)

4
[10]

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Q7.
(a) (i) h (= ct) (= 3.0 × 108 × 68 × 10–3) = 2.0(4) × 107 m (1)

(ii) g = (–) (1)

r (= 6.4 × 106 + 2.04 × 107) = 2.68 × 107 (m) (1)
(allow C.E. for value of h from (i) for first two marks, but not 3rd)

g= (1) (= 0.56 N kg–1)

4

(b) (i) g= (1)

v = [0.56 × (2.68 × 107)]½ (1)

= 3.9 × 103m s–1 (1) (3.87 × 103 m s–1)

(allow C.E. for value of r from a(ii)

[or v2 = = (1)

v= (1)

= 3.9 × 103 m s–1 (1)]

(ii) = (1)

= 4.3(5) × 104s (1) (12.(1) hours)

(use of v = 3.9 × 103 gives T = 4.3(1) × 104 s = 12.0 hours)
(allow C.E. for value of v from (I)

[alternative for (b):

(i) (1)

= 3.8(6) × 103 m s–1 (1)]

(allow C.E. for value of r from (a)(ii) and value of T)

(ii) (1)

= (1.90 × 109 (s2) (1)

T = 4.3(6) × 104 s (1)

5

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 [9]

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