Gravitational Fields Unit Assessment
Section A (4/15)
1) The diagram shows two positions, X and Y, at different heights on the surface of the
Earth.
Which line, A to D, in the table gives correct comparisons at X and Y for gravitational
potential and angular velocity? (Q8 Jan06)
2) Which one of the following graphs correctly shows the relationship between the
gravitational force, F, between two masses and their separation r. (Q10 Jun 06 )
3) When at the surface of the Earth, a satellite has weight W and gravitational potential
energy U. It is projected into a circular orbit whose radius is equal to twice the radius of
the Earth. Which line, A to D, in the table shows correctly what happens to the weight of
the satellite and to its gravitational potential energy? (Q11 Jun 06)
4) Which row is correct in all terms (Mr Powell made up question)
Force between
Gravitational Gravitational
A Nkg-1 Jkg-1 two objects i.e. F 1/r2
Potential Field Strength
Earth& Satellite
Force between
Gravitational Gravitational
B two objects i.e. F 1/r Nkg-1 Jkg-1
Potential Field Strength
Earth& Satellite
Force between
Gravitational -1 Gravitational -1
C Jkg Nkg two objects i.e. F 1/r2
Potential Field Strength
Earth& Satellite
Force between
Gravitational Gravitational
D two objects i.e. F 1/r Jkg-1 Nkg-1
Potential Field Strength
Earth& Satellite
Section B (11/15)
1) ( - Jan 06 Q4 11 marks)
a) Artificial satellites are used to monitor weather conditions on Earth, for surveillance and
for communications. Such satellites may be placed in a geo-synchronous orbit or in a low
polar orbit. Describe the properties of the geo-synchronous orbit and the advantages it
offers when a satellite is used for communications. You may be awarded marks for the
quality of written communication in your answer.
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(3 marks)
b) A satellite of mass m travels at angular speed ω in a circular orbit at a height h above
the surface of a planet of mass M and radius R.
(i) Using these symbols, give an equation that relates the gravitational force on the satellite
to the centripetal force
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(ii) Use your equation from part (b)(i) to show that the orbital period, T, of the satellite is
given by
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(2 marks)
(iii) Explain why the period of a satellite in orbit around the Earth cannot be less than
85 minutes. Your answer should include a calculation to justify this value.
mass of the Earth = 6.00 × 1024 kg
radius of the Earth = 6.40 × 106m
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(c) Describe and explain what happens to the speed of a satellite when it moves to an orbit
that is closer to the Earth.
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Answers
Section A
1) B
2) D
3) B – using mg∆h & g = -GM/r2 put in changes for both.
4) C
Section B
