EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT
Earn 100

Two small spheres each of mass 20 g hang side by side with their centres 5.00mm apart. Calculate the gravitational attraction between the two spheres.

Important Questions on Gravitational Fields

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

It is suggested that the mass of a mountain could be measured by the deflection from the vertical of a suspended mass. This diagram shows the principle.

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(a) Copy the diagram and draw arrows to represent the forces acting on the mass. Label the arrows.

 

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

It is suggested that the mass of a mountain could be measured by the deflection from the vertical of a suspended mass. This diagram shows the principle.

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(b) The whole mass of the mountain, 3.8×1012kg, may be considered to act at its centre of mass. Calculate the horizontal force on the mass due to the mountain. 

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

It is suggested that the mass of a mountain could be measured by the deflection from the vertical of a suspended mass. This diagram shows the principle.

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Compare the force calculated in part b with the Earth's gravitational force on the mass.

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

This diagram shows the Earth's gravitational field.

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Copy the diagram and add arrows to show the direction of the field.  

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

This diagram shows the Earth's gravitational field.

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Explain why the formula for potential energy gained (mgh) can be used to find the increase in potential energy when an aircraft climbs to a height of 10 000m, but cannot be used to calculate the increase in potential energy when a spacecraft travels from the Earth's surface to a height of 10 000 km.

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

Mercury, the smallest of the eight recognised planets, has a diameter of 4.88×106m 4.88×106m and a mean density of 5.4×103kg m-3. Calculate the gravitational field at its surface.

 

MEDIUM
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

Mercury, the smallest of the eight recognised planets, has a diameter of 4.88×106m 4.88×106m and a mean density of 5.4×103kg m-3. A man has a weight of 900 N on the Earth's surface. What would his weight be on the surface of Mercury?

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT
Calculate the potential energy of a spacecraft of mass 250 kg, when it is 20 000 km from the planet Mars. (Mass of Mars = 6.4 x 1023  kg, radius of Mars =3.4×106m.)