Qn 1

(a) Define gravitational potential.

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Explain why values of gravitational potential near to an isolated mass are all negative.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(c) The Earth may be assumed to be an isolated sphere of radius 6.4×103km with its mass of 6.0×1024kg
concentrated at its centre. An object is projected vertically from the surface of the Earth so that it
reaches an altitude of 1.3×104km.

Calculate, for this object,

(i) the change in gravitational potential,

change in potential = ……………………………………. Jkg–1

(ii) the speed of projection from the Earth’s surface, assuming air resistance is negligible.

speed = ……………………………………. ms–1

Qn2

The orbit of the Earth, mass 6.0 × 1024 kg, may be assumed to be a circle of radius 1.5 × 1011m with the
Sun at its centre, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1
The time taken for one orbit is 3.2 × 107s.

(a) Calculate (i) the magnitude of the angular velocity of the Earth about the Sun, [2]

(ii) the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the Earth. [2]

(b) (i) State the origin of the centripetal force calculated in (a)(ii).

(ii) Determine the mass of the Sun [3]

Qn3

The Earth may be considered to be a uniform sphere with its mass M concentrated at its centre.

A satellite of mass m orbits the Earth such that the radius of the circular orbit is r.

(a) Show that the linear speed v of the satellite is given by the expression
𝐺𝑀
𝑣=√
𝑅
(b) For this satellite, write down expressions, in terms of G, M, m and r, for
I. its kinetic energy, [1]
II. its gravitational potential energy [1]
III. its total energy [1]
(c) The total energy of the satellite gradually decreases. State and explain the effect of this decrease on
I. the radius r of the orbit, [2]
II. the linear speed v of the satellite. [2]

Qn4

(a) Explain what is meant by a gravitational field. [1]

(b) A spherical planet has mass M and radius R. The planet may be considered to have all its mass
concentrated at its centre. A rocket is launched from the surface of the planet such that the rocket
moves radially away from the planet. The rocket engines are stopped when the rocket is at a height R
above the surface of the planet, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
The mass of the rocket, after its engines have been stopped, is m.

(i) Show that, for the rocket to travel from a height R to a height 2R above the planet’s surface, the
change ΔEP in the magnitude of the gravitational potential energy of the rocket is given by the
expression [2]
𝐺𝑀𝑚
∆𝐸𝑝 =
6𝑅
(ii) During the ascent from a height R to a height 2R, the speed of the rocket changes from 7600 m
s–1 to 7320 m s–1. Show that, in SI units, the change ΔEK in the kinetic energy of the rocket is
given by the expression

ΔEk =(2.09 ⋅ 106)m.

The planet has a radius of 3.40 ⋅ 106 m.

(i) Use the expressions in (b) to determine a value for the mass M of the planet.[2]

(ii) State one assumption made in the determination in (i). [1]

Bonus Qn

A rod AB is hinged to a wall at A. The rod is held horizontally by means of a cord BD, attached to the rod
at end B and to the wall at D, as shown in Fig.2.1.

The rod has weight W and the centre of gravity of the rod is at C. The rod is held in equilibrium by a
force T in the cord and a force F produced at the hinge.

(a) Explain what is meant by

(i) the centre of gravity of a body,[2]

(b) The line of action of the weight W of the rod passes through the cord at point P.

Explain why, for the rod to be in equilibrium, the force F produced at the hinge must also pass
through point P.[2]
2
(c) The forces F and T make angles α and β respectively with the rod and AC = AB, as shown in Fig.2.1.
3

Write down equations, in terms of F, W, T, α and β , to represent

(i) the resolution of forces horizontally,