Topic 11 Astrophysics and cosmology

11A Gravitational fields

11A.1 Gravitational forces

1 The gravitational field strength of Earth is 9.81 N kg–1 at its surface.
2 6.0 × 10–68 N
3 2.0 × 1020 N
4 1.5 × 1011 m
5 Straight-line graph with positive gradient, passing through the origin. Correctly labelled axis (does not need
units on a sketch graph).

11A.2 Gravitational fields

1 Gravitational field strength 7.5 N kg–1
Gravitational potential 5.5 × 107 J kg–1
2 (a) H atom: F = 8.2 × 10–8 N
(b) Pluto: F = 4.94 × 1016 N
The Solar System force is 1023 × stronger for a system which is 1023 × larger.
3 3.0 × 10–5 kg
4 3.46 × 108 m

11A Exam practice

1 C
2 A
3 D
4 B
𝐺𝑀
5 g= 2
𝑟
𝐺𝑀
Correct substitution into g =
𝑟2
𝐺𝑀𝐸 𝐺𝑀𝑚
rE = ; gm =
𝑟𝐸2 𝑟𝑚 2
𝑟𝐸
= 3.7
𝑟𝑚
𝑟𝑚
(Correct inverse ratio i.e. = 0.27, scores full marks)
𝑟𝐸
Suggested calculation:
𝐺𝑀𝐸
𝑔𝐸 𝑟2
𝐸 𝑀𝐸 2
𝑟𝑚
∴ = 𝐺𝑀𝑚 = ×
𝑔𝑚 𝑀𝑚 𝑟𝐸2
𝑟2
𝑚
𝑟𝑚2
Therefore, 6 = 81 ×
𝑟𝐸 2
𝑟𝐸
Therefore, = √81/6 = 3.67 ≈ 3.7
𝑟𝑚
𝐺𝑚𝑀
6 (a) F = mg and F = (−) 2
𝑟
Equate and cancel m on either side
𝐺𝑀
(b) Substitute into g = 2 to obtain g = 9.78 N kg–1
𝑟
Suggested calculation:
𝐺𝑀 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2 × 5.97 × 1024 kg
g= = = 9.783 N kg−1
𝑟2 (6.38 × 106 m)2
7 (a) Calculation of time period
𝛥𝑠 2𝜋
Use of v = or ω =
𝛥𝑡 𝑇
𝑣2
Use of a = or a = rω2
𝑟
Correct answer
Suggested calculation:

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. This document
may have been altered from the original
35
 24 × 60 × 60 s
T= = 5760 s
15
2𝜋𝑟 2π × 6.94 × 106 m
v= =
𝑇 5760 s
= 7.57 × 103 m s−1
2
𝑣2 (7.6 × 103 m s−1 )
a= =
𝑟 6.94 × 106 m
= 8.26 m s−2
OR
2𝜋 2𝜋
ω= = = 1.09 × 10−3 m s−1
𝑇 5760𝑠
a = rω = 6.94 ×106 × (1.09 × 10−3)2 = 8.26 m s−2
2

(b) mg equated to gravitational force expression

g (= a) = 8.3 ms−2 substituted
Correct answer
Suggested calculation:
𝐺𝑀𝑚
mg = 2
𝑟
6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2 𝑀
Therefore, 8.3 m s−2 = (6.94 × 106 m)2
2
8.3 m s−1 × (6.94 × 106 m)
Therefore, M =
6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2
= 6.0 × 1024 kg
8 (a) The gravitational field strength decreases
OR the (gravitational) force on the satellite/object/mass decreases
It is a centripetal force (and not a centrifugal force)
The satellite is accelerating and so is not in balance
𝑚𝑣 2 𝐺𝑚𝑀𝐸 𝐺𝑀𝑚
(b) (i) See = OR 𝑚𝜔2 𝑟 =
𝑟 𝑟2 𝑟2
2 𝐺𝑀𝐸 𝐺𝑀𝐸
∴𝑣 = OR 𝑣 = √
𝑟 𝑟

GME is constant (and so v decreases as r increases)

1 1
OR 𝑣 2 ∝ OR 𝑣 ∝
𝑟 √𝑟

2𝜋 𝑣 𝑠
(ii) State T = and ω = OR T = and s = 2πr
𝜔 𝑟 𝑣
2𝜋𝑟
Hence T = (so smaller v leads to a larger value of T)
𝑣
4π2 r3
(c) Use of T = √
𝐺𝑀
T = 5530 s (92 minutes)
Suggested calculation:
3
4π2 r3 4π2 (6360 000 m + 400 000 m)
T=√ =√ = 5530 s
𝐺𝑀 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2 × 5.8 × 1024 kg
(d) Any two from:
As radius decreases:
There is a transfer of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy
Sum of kinetic and gravitational potential energy decreases
OR satellite does work against frictional forces
OR transfer of kinetic energy of satellite to thermal energy
OR heating occurs

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. This document
may have been altered from the original
36
 𝐹
9 (a) Gravitational field is a region where a mass experiences a force so g =
𝑀
1
(b) shape
𝑟
negative potential values

(c) (i) 5.9 × 108 J kg–1

(ii) 6.3 × 107 J kg–1
10 Any six from:
Gravity is only attractive
Electric forces can be attractive or repulsive
Gravitational fields generated by mass; electric fields generated by charge
Gravitational fields cause forces on masses; electric fields cause forces on charged objects/particles
Both follow inverse square law in the forces they cause at a distance between two masses or charges
Both follow inverse square law in the field strength at a distance from the mass or charge
The potential is a scalar quantity for both
The constant of proportionality for electric fields, , depends on the medium, but G is constant

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. This document
may have been altered from the original
37