Chapter 3 Gravitation r,ffi @

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Section A

l ' Figure 1' 1 shows a durian tree on the surface of the Earth of mass M and.radius
R and Figure 1.2 shows the
Moon in orbit of radius 60.1 times the radius of the Earth around the Earth.

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the

r.ing

Earth's centre centre

Figure 1.1
Earth,s

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Figure It t - ,

(a) Write down an equation in terms of the mass, M and,radius R of the Earth, ":'
the universal gravitational
constant, G lbr the gravitational force, F acting on a durian fruit of mass
mby the Earth. & j mark]
(b) sy relating the n'elght of the durian fruit to the gravitational
.force, deriye an equation to f,nrl the
gravitational acceleration, g for the free fall of the durian Loi1. a@ G.
13 marksl
(c) The mass of the Earth is 5.97 x r02a kg and its radius is 6.37 x 106
m. calculate
(i) gravitationai acceleration at the surface of the Earth. *rycl' 2 marksl
(ii) gravitational acceleration of the Earth at the surface of the Moon. &.cl-
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marksl
12 marksl I

Ithe (d) Based on your answers in c (i) and c (ii), explain the large difference
in value of the gravitational
acceleration on the of the Earth at the Moon compared to atlhe surface
Lrest of the Earth. W*,6ii fj .rrfri
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:rsal Figure 2'1 shows three identical satellites, P, Q and R revolving in different
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circular orbits around the

ows Earth' The satellites are moving in the same direction as the direction of Earthb
rotation. s"taflt. r i. m'"
geostationary orbit. \

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Figure 2.t
@ :ffi chapter 3 Gravitation

(a) Name the force which provides the centripetal force for keeping the satellites in circular orbit. ffi 4. Figu
ll mark) Call

(b) observe Figure 2'1'

(i) Compare the distances of satellite P and Q from the centre of the Earth.,E ll mark)
(ii) Compare the tbrces acting on satellite P and Q. qE- lr mark)
(iii) Compare the linear speed-s of satellite P and Q in their orbits. @ ll mark)
(iv) Relate the linear speei of a satellite to its distance from the centr"e of the Earth. W lt markl
(c) State two characteristics of satellite R that are different from satellite P and Q. marks)
W 12

(d) (i) What happens to satellite Q when its linear sp*eed is reduced. Wi lr mark)
(ii) Give one."uron for your answer in 3(dXi). &ffi ll mark)

S".ug" B
(a)
3. Figure 3.1 shows planet Mars revolving in a circular orbit which is different from the Earths ortrit around the
Sun. The movement of both planets are afected by the gravitational force of the Sun acting on the planets.

(b)

tr (c)
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Sun
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Figure 3.1

(a) (i)
What is the meaning of the gravitational force? trII ll markl
(ii)
Observe Figure 3.1, compare the radii of orbits, the magnitude of the gravitational forces and the
linear speeds of both planets. &cl,' 13 mayksl

(b) The Earth is at a distance, r of 1.50 x 1011 m from the centre of the Sun and takes a period, of oire year or
3.15 x 107 s to complete one orbit. Calculate the mass, M of the Sun using the given data. @C4'
14 marks)
 Chapter g cravitarion
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Figure 4.1 shows the positions of the four largest
moons of fupiter which are Io, Europa, Ganymede
Callisto. and

Figure 4.1
(a) (i) consider the forces acting on the moon Io of mass m
revolvingin circular orbit of radius r with
orbital period 7 around fupiter of mass M. Derive an
equation tirat relates the orbital period, T to
orbital radius r. ffiCr'
(ii) Name the law invoived in the relationship between
T and r. ,(rf 'LT:;-r]
(b) The moon Europa moves with an orbital
period of 3.07 x lOs s at a distance of 6.7 x 108
m from /upiter.
the orbital period of the moon -alhsto in orbit at
average distance of 1.9 x 10e m from
HtHTt
t.- ]upiter.
(c) using the principle of conservation [2 marks]
of energy, derive an equation for the escape velociry y
universal gravitational constant G, the mass, M and,radius -4 in terms of the
R of the Earth. ii"'" ir' **nrl

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