Gravitational Fields MCQ PhysicsAndMathsTutor.
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The distance between the Sun and the Earth is 1.5 × 1011 m
1.
What is the gravitational force exerted on the Sun by the Earth?
A 3.5 × 1022 N
B 1.7 × 1026 N
C 5.3 × 1033 N
D 8.9 × 1050 N
(Total 1 mark)
The diagram shows gravitational equipotentials. Adjacent equipotentials are separated by an
2.
equal gravitational potential difference V.
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Gravitational Fields MCQ PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
Which point has the greatest gravitational field strength?
(Total 1 mark)
A planet has radius R and density ρ. The gravitational field strength at the surface is g.
3.
What is the gravitational field strength at the surface of a planet of radius 2R and density 2ρ?
A 2g
B 4g
C 8g
D 16g
(Total 1 mark)
The diagram shows equipotential lines for a uniform gravitational field. The lines are separated
4. by 20 m.
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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)
The graph shows how the gravitational potential V varies with the vertical distance d from the
5.
surface of the Earth.
What does the gradient of the graph represent at the surface of the Earth?
A potential energy
B mass of the Earth
C magnitude of the gravitational constant
D magnitude of the gravitational field strength
(Total 1 mark)
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What is the angular speed of a satellite in a geostationary orbit around the Earth?
6.
A 1.2 × 10−5 rad s−1
B 7.3 × 10−5 rad s−1
C 4.4 × 10−3 rad s−1
D 2.6 × 10−1 rad s−1
(Total 1 mark)
The graph shows how the gravitational potential varies with distance between two planets, K and
7. L, that have the same radius.
Which statement is correct?
A The mass of L is greater than the mass of K.
B The gravitational field strength at the surface of L is greater than that at the
surface of K.
C The escape velocity from planet L is greater than that from planet K.
D More work must be done to move a mass of 1 kg from the surface of K to a
distant point, than 1 kg from the surface of L.
(Total 1 mark)
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A satellite X of mass m is in a concentric circular orbit of radius R about a planet of mass M.
8.
What is the kinetic energy of X?
(Total 1 mark)
The distance between the Sun and Mars varies from 2.1 × 1011 m to 2.5 × 1011 m.
9.
When Mars is closest to the Sun, the force of gravitational attraction between them is F.
What is the force of gravitational attraction between them when they are furthest apart?
A 0.71F
B 0.84F
C 1.2F
D 1.4F
(Total 1 mark)
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10. Charon is a moon of Pluto that has a mass equal to that of Pluto.
The distance between the centre of Pluto and the centre of Charon is d.
X is the point at which the resultant gravitational field due to Pluto and Charon is zero.
What is the distance of X from the centre of Pluto?
(Total 1 mark)
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Which graph shows the relationship between the time period T and the orbital radius r of a planet
11.
in orbit around the Sun?
(Total 1 mark)
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Gravitational Fields MCQ PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
The diagram shows equipotential lines near a group of asteroids.
12.
Which arrow shows the direction of the gravitational field at X?
A ↑
B ↓
C ←
D →
(Total 1 mark)
Planet N has a gravitational potential –V at its surface. Planet M has double the density and
13.
double the radius of planet N. Both planets are spherical and have uniform density.
What is the gravitational potential at the surface of planet M?
A –16V
B –8V
C –4V
D –0.2V
(Total 1 mark)
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Satellites N and F have the same mass and are in circular orbits about the same planet.
14. The orbital radius of F is greater than that of N.
Which is greater for F than for N?
A gravitational force on the satellite
B angular speed
C kinetic energy
D orbital period
(Total 1 mark)
A planet of mass M and radius R rotates so quickly that material at its equator only just remains
15.
on its surface.
What is the period of rotation of the planet?
(Total 1 mark)
What is the angular speed of a satellite in a geostationary orbit around the Earth?
16.
A 1.2 × 10–5 rad s–1
B 7.3 × 10–5 rad s–1
C 4.2 × 10–3 rad s–1
D 2.6 × 10–1 rad s–1
(Total 1 mark)
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Which row shows two scalar quantities?
17.
A gravitational potential gravitational field strength
B mass gravitational potential
C gravitational field strength weight
D weight gravitational potential
(Total 1 mark)
An object moves freely at 90° to the direction of a gravitational field.
18.
The acceleration of the object is
A zero.
B opposite to the direction of the gravitational field.
C in the direction of the gravitational field.
D at 90° to the direction of the gravitational field.
(Total 1 mark)
A spacecraft of mass 1.0 × 106 kg is in orbit around the Sun at a radius of 1.1 × 1011 m
19.
The spacecraft moves into a new orbit of radius 2.5 × 1011 m around the Sun.
What is the total change in gravitational potential energy of the spacecraft?
A –6.76 × 1014 J
B –3.38 × 1014 J
C 3.38 × 1014 J
D 6.76 × 1014 J
(Total 1 mark)
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