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Gravitational fields
Question Paper 1

Level A Level
Subject Physics
Exam Board OCR
Topic Newtonian world and astrophysics
Sub-Topic Gravitational fields
Booklet Question Paper 1

Time Allowed: 51 minutes

Score: / 42

Percentage: /100

Grade Boundaries:

A* A B C D E U

>85% 777.5% 70% 62.5% 57.5% 45% <45%

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1 (a) Write a word equation which states Newton’s law of gravitation.

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(b) A planet of mass m moves in a circular orbit of radius r about a star of mass M. The planet
has an orbital period T.

Use your knowledge of circular motion and Newton’s law of gravitation to derive Kepler’s third
law.

[4]
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(c) The star HD10180 in the constellation Hydrus is notable for its large planetary system. The
period T and the mean orbital radius r for HD10180’s planets have been deduced from recent
observations. Fig. 4.1 has been constructed using these data.

15

r3 / 1034 m3

10

0
0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
72 / 1016 s2

Fig. 4.1

(i) State what features of Fig. 4.1 support the view that Kepler’s third law may be applied to
this system.

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...................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(ii) Use Fig. 4.1 to determine the mass of the star HD10180.

mass = ..................................................... kg [3]

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2 (a) State what is meant by the term geostationary orbit.

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(b) In a science fiction movie, a spaceship approaches a planet called Benzar.

Benzar has a period of rotation of 1.2 × 105 s.
The captain of the spaceship orders the crew to “enter a stationary orbit over the South Pole
of Benzar”.

(i) Use your knowledge of physics to explain why it is impossible to follow these orders.

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(ii) Benzar has mass 8.9 × 1025 kg.

Calculate the radius of the possible stationary orbit for a spaceship circling Benzar.

radius = ...................................................... m [3]

[Total: 6]
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3 (a) Fig. 2.1 shows the Earth in space.

Earth

Fig. 2.1

(i) Draw lines on Fig. 2.1 to show the shape and direction of the gravitational field of the
Earth. [1]

(ii) The gravitational field strength, g, is uniform close to the Earth’s surface. Describe the
pattern of gravitational field lines close to the surface of the Earth.

In your answer you should use appropriate technical terms spelled correctly.

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

(b) The planet Saturn has mass 5.7 × 1026 kg and radius 6.0 × 107 m.

(i) Calculate the gravitational field strength gs at Saturn’s surface.

gs = ............................................... N kg–1 [2]

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(ii) Saturn’s second-largest moon, Rhea, has orbital radius 5.3 × 108 m and mass
2.3 × 1021 kg.
Calculate for Rhea

1 its orbital speed v

v = ................................................ m s–1 [3]

2 its kinetic energy.

kinetic energy = ....................................................... J [1]

[Total: 9]
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4 (a) (i) State Newton’s law of gravitation.

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

(ii) Define gravitational field strength, g.

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(b) Titan, a moon of Saturn, has a circular orbit of radius 1.2 × 106 km. The orbital period of Titan
is 16 Earth days.

(i) Calculate the speed of Titan in its orbit.

speed = ………………. m s−1 [2]

(ii) Show that the mass of Saturn is about 5 × 1026 kg.

[3]

(c) Rhea is another moon of Saturn with a smaller orbital radius than Titan.
Determine the ratio
orbital period TR of Rhea
in terms of their orbital radii rR , and rT .
orbital period TT of Titan

ratio = ….........……………. [2]

[Total: 10]
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5 (a) Define gravitational field strength.

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

.............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) The table shows, in modern units, information that was known to physicists at the time of
Isaac Newton.

distance r from centre of the gravitational field strength g due to

position
Earth / km the Earth / N kg–1
surface of Earth 6.4 × 103 9.8
Moon’s orbit 3.8 × 105 2.7 × 10–3

Use the information provided in the table to

(i) state a relationship between the gravitational field strength g and the distance r and
verify this relationship

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

(ii) show that the mass of the Earth is about 6 × 1024 kg

[2]

(iii) determine the mean density of the Earth.

density = ............................................... kg m–3 [2]

[Total: 8]