Questions on Gravity and Orbits MS

1. Using the usual symbols write down an equation for

(i) Newton’s law of gravitation
M1M 2
F=G (1)
R2

(ii) Coulomb’s law

Q 1Q 2
F=K (1)
R2
(2 marks)
State one difference and one similarity between gravitational and electric fields.
Difference
Gravitational fields are attractive but electric fields can be attractive or
repulsive (1)

Similarity
Both have an ∝ range (1)
(2 marks)
A speck of dust has a mass of 1.0 × 10-18 kg and carries a charge equal to that of one electron.
Near to the Earth’s surface it experiences a uniform downward electric field of strength
100 N C-1 and a uniform gravitational field of strength 9.8 N kg-1.
Draw a free-body force diagram for the speck of dust. Label the forces clearly.
Electric force

Gravitational force

Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the speck of dust.
Electric force = 100 N C-1 × 1.6 × 10-19 C
= 1.6 × 10-17 N (1)
Weight = 9.8 × 10-18 N (1)
Net force is upward (1)
Force = 6.2 × 10-18 N (1)
(6 marks)
[Total 10 marks]

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2. The diagram (not to scale) shows a satellite of mass m, in circular orbit at speed vs around the
Earth, mass ME. The satellite is at a height h above the Earth’s surface and the radius of the
Earth is RE.

υs
Satellite

Earth
RE

Using the symbols above write down an expression for the centripetal force needed to maintain
the satellite in this orbit.
2
ms v s
F= (2)
RE + h
(2 marks)
Write down an expression for the gravitational field strength in the region of the satellite.
GM E
g= (2)
( R E + h) 2

State an appropriate unit for this quantity.

N kg -1 (1)
(3 marks)
Use your two expressions to show that the greater the height of the satellite above the Earth, the
smaller will be its orbital speed.
ms v s 2 GM E ms
=
RE + h ( R E + h) 2 (1)
GM E
vs2 = (1)
RE + h

Greater h Þ smaller vs since G, ME constant (1)

(3 marks)
Explain why, if a satellite slows down in its orbit, it nevertheless gradually spirals in towards the
Earth’s surface.
GM E ms ms v s 2
As it slows > (1)
( R E + h) 2 RE + h
The “spare” gravitational force not needed to provide the centripetal
acceleration pulls the satellite nearer to the Earth (1)
(2 marks)
[Total 10 marks]

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3. Forces
(i) F = GMEm/R2 1

(ii) F = GMMm/r2 1
Distance R


GM E m GM m m 
=
R2 r2 
OR 
R
1
ME R 2
M  2
= 2 OR  E  = 
Mm r  Mm  r 

81 R2
=
1 (3.9 ×107 m) 2
R = 3.5 × 108 m
Evidence that equating forces has occurred 1
Correct substitution 1
Correct answer 1
[5]

4. Gravitational attraction of Earth on Moon

Gm1 m S GMm
Use , ie (1) 1
r 2
(60 R ) 2
Orbital speed of the Moon
mυ 2 GMm
= (1)
r r2
Use of r = 60R, ie 60 × 6.4 ×106 (1)
6.67 × 10 –11 Nm 2 kg –2 × 6 × 10 24 kg
Rearrangement ie υ = (1)
60 × 6.4 × 10 6 m
= 1020 m s–1 (1) 4
Orbit period
2πr 2π
Time = /ω = (1)
υ T
2 × π × 60 × 6.4 × 10 6
Calculation: (1)
1020 m s –1
Divide by 3600 × 24 (1)
Using 1020m/s: (27 – 27.4) days
Using 1000m/s: (27.8 – 28) days (1) 4
[9]

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5. Word equation:
Force proportional to product of masses and inversely proportional to (distance / separation)
squared (1)(1)
2

[No force 0/2]

OR
G × mass1 × mass 2
F= (1)
(distance ) 2

[or (separation)2 instead of bottom line]

Calculation of force:
From Newton’s law OR idea that force = weight = mgplanet (1)

6.67 × 10 −11 N m 2 kg −2 × 6.42 × 10 23 kg × 1 kg

F=
(3.40 × 10 6 ) 2 m 2
[Substitution in correct equation only]
OR
G × 6.42 × 10 23 kg
gmars = (1)
(3.4 × 10 6 ) 2 m 2
= 3.7 N (1)
Smaller (1)
3

Explanation of reasoning:
g is less, but ρ is similar/same [so R is less] (1)
[2nd mark is consequential on first mark]
2
[7]

6. Base units of G: kg–1 m3 s–2 (1)

Equation homogeneity:
Correct substitution of units of G, r3 (m3), M (kg) 1
leading to S2 and linked to T2 (1)
[Allow e.c.f. of their base unit answer into substitution mark] 3
Use of relationship to find mass of the Earth
Any two from:
Adding 20 000 + 6400 (1)
Converting km to m (1)
h to s (× 43 200) (1) 2
Answer M = 5.8 (4) × 1024 kg (1) 1
[6]

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7. Expression for gravitational force
F = GMm/r2 (1) 1
Derived expression
Reasoning step must be clear, e,g, mg = GMm/r2 (1)
so g = GM/r2 (1) 2
Sun's gravitational field strength
g = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2 kg-2 × 1.99 × 1030 kg / (1.50 × 1011 m)2 (1)
= 5.9 × 10-3 (N kg-1) [no u.e.] (1) 2
Diagram
(i) Jupiter marked closest to Earth (1)
(ii) (Labelled) arrows towards Jupiter and Sun (radially) (1) 2
Maximum percentage change
3.2 × 10-7 / 5.9 × 10-3 × 100% = 0.005% (1) 1
Maximum value of the ratio
Use of g ∝ M/r2 (1)
Hence gVenus/gjupiter = 152/400 = 0.56 [OR 9/16] (1) 2
Comment
E.g. reference to % change caused by Jupiter (combined with effect
caused by Venus)
OR g of (all) planets is very small compared with g of Sun (1) 1
[11]

8. Show that:
F = GMm/r2 (1)
= 6.9 × 1024 (N) (1) 2
Calculation:
a= F/M= 3.1 × 10–6 m s –2 (1) 1
Explanation:
Planet exerts gravitational force on star (1)
Planet revolves around star, so direction of force changes with time (1)
Diagram showing force (or effect of force on star due to planet) (1) 3

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 Speed of star:
Using υ = 2π r/ T and a = υ / r (1)
r = υT/2π so a = 2π υ / T
so υ = aT / 2π (1)
= 3.1 × 10–6 × 9.2 × 107 ÷ 2π [allow ecf for a]
= 45.4 m s–1 3

Calculation:
∆λ = λ υ/c = 656 ×10–9 × 45 / 3.0 × 108(1)
= 9.8 × 10 –14m
[Accept 2 × ∆ λ for maximum marks] (1) 2
[11]

9. Formula
F = GMm/r2 (1) 1
Show that tan θ = MR2 / Me r2
Horizontally Tsinθ = Fmountain and vertically Tcosθ = mg (1)
[OR vector diagram showing forces and θ]
Dividing equations [OR from vector diag.]: tanθ = Fmountain ÷ mg (1)
and Fmountain = GMm ÷ r2 and mg = GMem ÷ R 2 (1)
so tan θ = GMm/r2 ÷ GMem/R2 (1) 4
Value for gravitational constant, G
Volume = 4/3πR3 = 4/3π (6.4 × 106 m)3 = 1.1 × 1021 (m3) (1)
Me = Vρ = 1.1 × 1021 m3 × 4.5 × 103 kg m–3 = 4.9 × 1024 (kg) (1)

gR 2 3 gR 2 3g 3 × 9.8 m s –2
G= = = =
Me 4πR 3 ρ 4πRρ 4π × 6.4 × 10 6 m × 4.5 × 10 3 kg m – 3

= 8.1 × 10–11 N m2 kg –2 (1) 3

Reason for inaccuracy
Any one from:
• Maskelyne’s density is incorrect
• Earth/mountain not uniform density
• (centre of) mass of mountain not known
• mountain is not spherical
• difficult to determine vertical / measure very small θ
• Earth not a perfect sphere / point mass (1) 1
Earth’s core
Much denser than mountain (1) 1
[10]

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10. Minimum mass for comet
Volume = 4/3π (9 × 103/ 2)3 m3 (= 3.8 × 1011 m3) (1)
Use of mass = density × volume
= 500 kg m–3 × 4/3 π (9 × 103 / 2)3 m3 (1)
1.91 × 1014 kg (1) 3

Jupiter’s gravitational field strength

g = GM/r2 (1)
= 6.6720 × 10–11 N m–2 kg,–2 × 1.8987 ×1027 kg / (96 009 × 103)2 (1)
= 13.7432 N kg–1 (1) 3
Explanation
Any two from:
• Jupiter’s force/field strength different on the two sides of the comet (1)
• difference sufficient to pull comet apart (1)
• Jupiter’s force larger than (cohesive) force between particles of comet (1) Max 2
Difference and similarity between gravitational and electric fields
Difference: e.g. gravitational fields only attractive, electrical can be attractive or
repulsive, gravitational fields due to mass, electrical due to charge, cannot shield (1)
g-field, can shield E field
Similarity: e.g. follow equivalent mathematical formulae,
both obey inverse square law (1) 2
[10]

11. Definitions:
An electric field is a region where charged objects experience a force (E = F/Q) (1) 1
A gravitational field is a region where masses experience a force(g = F/m) (1) 1
Similarities:
• Both fields obey an inverse square law
OR inverse square equations quoted (1)
• Both fields are radial for point objects / spherical distributions (1)
• Both fields have an infinite range / field strength approaches
zero a long way from source (1) max 2
Differences:
• Electric forces can be attractive or repulsive but gravitational
forces are always attractive (1)
• Electric forces are (much) stronger than gravitational forces
OR comparison of size of coupling constants in the two
force equations (1)
• Electric forces only act on charged particles but gravitational
forces act on all matter (1)
• Electric forces can be shielded (e.g. by use of a Faraday
cage) but gravitational forces cannot (1) max 3
[6]

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12. Magnitude of gravitational force on Cassini
F = GMm/r2 1
Expression
g = F/m (1)
so g = GM/r2 (1) 2
Maximum acceleration
Appreciation that acceleration = g-field (1)
Addition of orbital height to radius of Venus (1)
g = G × 4.87 × 1024 kg / (6384 × 103)2
= 7.97 m s–2 3

Effect of acceleration on velocity of Cassini

Any 2 from:
• Acceleration is at right angles to direction of motion
• Speed unchanged
(Velocity changed since) direction changed Max 2
[8]

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