2_ch10_SQ_e

[10175745] <lvl=easy><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=4><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
Three stars A, B and C are at the three vertices of an equilateral triangle as shown.
The length of the triangle’s side is l. The mass of the three stars are mA, mB and mC
respectively.
A

l l

l
B C

(a) Draw a free-body diagram for A. (2 marks)

(b) Find the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on A by B and that by C.
(2 marks)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks

gravitational 60 gravitational

force by B force by C

(1 correct force with correct name) 1A

(All correct) 1A
Gm A mB
(b) Gravitational force on A by B = 1A
l2
Gm A mC
Gravitational force on A by C = 1A
l2
-- ans end --

[10175749] <lvl=easy><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=4><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
A 2-kg object falls freely from rest from a height of 13.3 m above the Moon’s
surface. It reaches the ground 4 s later. Take the universal gravitational constant G
as 6.67  1011 N m2 kg2 and the radius of the Moon as 1740 km.

1
2_ch10_SQ_e

(a) Find the gravitational field strength on the Moon’s surface. (2 marks)
(b) Find the mass of the Moon. (2 marks)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks

1 2
(a) By s = ut + at , 1M
2

1
13.3 = 0 + a 4 2
2
a = 1.663 m s2
 1.66 m s2
The gravitational field strength on the Moon’s surface is 1.66 N kg1. 1A
GM
(b) By g = , 1M
r2
2
mass of the Moon = = 
gr 2 1.663  1740 10 3  = 7.55  1022 kg 1A
G 6.67 10  11
-- ans end --

[10175545] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=8><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 New Horizons is the first spacecraft to fly past Pluto. It was launched in 2006 and
came closest (flyby) to Pluto on 14 July 2015, at a distance of 13 700 km from the
centre of Pluto with a speed of 13.8 km s1. In the following, ignore the effects of
other objects in space. Assume that the mass of New Horizons was 400 kg and its
propulsion system was turned off.

(Courtesy of NASA)

2
2_ch10_SQ_e

(a) Estimate the magnitudes of the gravitational force acting on New Horizons
by Pluto at closest approach and hence the acceleration of the spacecraft.
(4 marks)
(b) If New Horizons were to orbit Pluto in a circular orbit of radius equal to the
distance of closest approach, estimate its orbiting speed. (2 marks)
(c) In the figure below, draw arrows to show the directions of the velocity and
the acceleration of New Horizons at closest approach. (2 marks)
10 min after

New Horizons at
closest approach

10 min before

Pluto [Not to scale]

Take the universal gravitational constant G as 6.67  10–11 N m2 kg–2, and the
mass of Pluto as 1.30  1022 kg.
-- ans --

Solutions Marks

GMm
(a) Gravitational force F = 1M
r2
( 6.67 10  11 )(1.30 10 22 )( 400)
=
(13 700 103 )2
= 1.848 N  1.85 N 1A
By F = ma, 1M
F 1.848
acceleration = = = 4.62  10–3 m s–2 1A
m 400

GM
(b) Orbiting speed v = 1M
r

(6.67 10  11 )(1.30 10 22 )

= 3
= 252 m s–1 1A
13 700 10

3
2_ch10_SQ_e

velocity

acceleration

(Correct direction of velocity) 1A

(Correct direction of acceleration) 1A
-- ans end --

[10175597] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=7><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 Mark has a mass of 75 kg.
(a) Using Newton’s law of universal gravitation, find the gravitational force
acting on Mark by the Earth on its surface. (2 marks)
(b) What is Mark’s weight on the Earth’s surface? (1 mark)
(c) What would be Mark’s weight if he was on the Mars’s surface? It is known
that Mars’s mass is about one-tenth of the Earth’s while its radius is about
half of the Earth’s. (2 marks)

Mars

Earth

(Courtesy of NASA/JPL)
(d) Estimate the acceleration due to gravity on Mars’s surface. (2 marks)
Take the universal gravitational constant G as 6.67  10–11 N m2 kg–2, and the
Earth’s radius and mass as 6370 km and 5.97  1024 kg respectively.
-- ans --

Solutions Marks

4
2_ch10_SQ_e

GM E m
(a) Gravitational force = 2 1M
RE

(6.67 10  11 )(5.97 10 24 )(75)

=
(6370 10 3 )2
= 736 N 1A
(b) Mark’s weight on the Earth’s surface is just the gravitational force
acting on him by the Earth. Hence Mark’s weight is 736 N. 1A

GM M m
(c) Mark’s weight W  on Mars’s surface = 2
RM

 1 
G ME m
 10 
= 2 1M
1 
 RE 
 2 

4 GM E m
=  2
10 RE

4
=  736
10
= 294.4 N
 294 N 1A

W
(d) Acceleration due to gravity on Mars’s surface = 1M
m
294.4
=
75
= 3.93 m s2 1A
-- ans end --

[10175602] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=8><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 Tiangong 1 (天宮一號) orbits the Earth with a period of about 90 minutes.
(a) Estimate the orbital radius of the spacecraft, and hence its height from the
Earth’s surface. Assume its orbit is circular. (4 marks)

5
2_ch10_SQ_e

(b) Nie Haisheng (聶海勝) was one of the astronauts working in Tiangong 1. His
mass was 74 kg during the mission. He could float inside the spacecraft.
(i) Estimate the loss in Nie’s weight when he was launched from the
Earth’s surface to the orbit. (2 marks)
(ii) Was Nie truly weightless in the orbit? (1 mark)
(iii) Draw all the forces acting on Nie when he was floating in Tiangong 1.
Use a cross () to represent him. (1 mark)
Take the universal gravitational constant G as 6.67  10–11 N m2 kg–2, and the
Earth’s radius and mass as 6370 km and 5.97  1024 kg respectively.
-- ans --

Solutions Marks

GMm mv 2 2r
(a) By 2
= and v = , 1M + 1M
r r T
1
2
orbital radius r =  GMT2 3


 4 

1
 11 24 2
=  (6.67 10 )(5.97 210 )(90 60 ) 3


 4 

= 6.65  106 m 1A
Height of Tiangong 1 = 6.65  106  6370  103 = 2.80  105 m 1A
(b) (i) Nei’s weight W  in orbit
GM E m (6.67 10  11 )(5.97 10 24 )(74 )
= = = 666.3 N 1M
r2 ( 6.65 10 6 )2
 Loss in weight = mg0  W  = 74  9.81  666.3 = 59.6 N 1A
(ii) No 1A
(iii) Nie

gravitational force
by the Earth

(Only gravitational force) 1A

-- ans end --

[10175617] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=4><bk=2><ch=10>

6
2_ch10_SQ_e

FE
 The figure below shows the top-view of a set-up for measuring the universal
gravitational constant G. It works by measuring the tiny gravitational forces
acting on the two small balls A and B by the two fixed large balls X and Y.
small ball A
r
large ball Y
rod
pivot
r
d

large ball X
small ball B

(top-view)

The following shows the results:

mass of each large ball (m1) = 158 kg
mass of each small ball (m2) = 0.73 kg
length of the rod connecting the small balls (d) = 1.86 m
distance between centres of a small ball and its nearby large ball (r) = 22.5 cm
moment of the forces on the small balls about the pivot ( ) = 2.86  107 N m
(a) From the experimental data, find the value of G. (3 marks)
(b) Using the result of (a), and the fact that the weight of an 1-kg object is
9.81 N on the Earth’s surface, estimate the Earth’s mass. The Earth’s radius
is known to be 6370 km. (1 mark)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
(a) The forces acting on the two balls form a couple.
 = Fd 1M

 Gm1m2 
= 2 d 1M
 r 

r2
G=
m1m2d

( 2.86 10  7 )(0.225 )2

=
(158 )(0.73)(1.86 )

7
2_ch10_SQ_e

= 6.75  10–11 N m2 kg2 1A

GME m
(b) By F = 2 ,
RE

2
FRE
Earth’s mass =
Gm
(9.81)(6370 103 )2
=
( 6.75 10  11 )(1)
= 5.90  1024 kg 1A
-- ans end --

[10175685] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=8><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 The figure below shows how the gravitational field strength g of a star changes
with the distance r from its centre.
g / N kg–1

0 r /  1010
m
(a) Considering g at r = 1010 m, estimate the mass of the star. (2 marks)
(b) A planet of mass 2.4  1023 kg orbits the star in a circular orbit of radius
3.1  1010 m.
(i) Find the gravitational force acting on the planet. (2 marks)
(ii) Find the orbital period (in seconds) of the planet. (3 marks)

8
2_ch10_SQ_e

(c) If a straight-line graph relating g and r is required, how should the graph be
plotted? (1 mark)
Take the universal gravitational constant G as 6.67  10–11 N m2 kg–2.
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
(a) From the graph, g = 1 N kg–1 at r = 1010 m.
GM
By g = , 1M
r2
10 2
gr 2 (1)(10 )
mass of star = = = 1.50  1030 kg 1A
G 6.67 10  11
(b) (i) From the graph, g = 0.1 N kg–1 at r = 3.1  1010 m.
Gravitational force = mg 1M
= 2.4  1023  0.1
= 2.4  1022 N 1A
2
 2 
(ii) By g = r 2 = r   , 1M + 1M
 T 

42 r 42 (3.11010 )

orbital period = = = 3.50  106 s 1A
g 0. 1
1
(c) A graph of g against should be plotted. 1A
r2
-- ans end --

[10175755] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=7><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 The following table shows some data about Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. The
acceleration due to gravity near the Earth’s surface is 9.81 m s2. The Earth’s
radius is RE. The Earth’s mass is ME.
Acceleration due to gravity near
Planet Mass
the surface / m s2
Mercury 0.0553ME 3.70
Venus 0.815ME 8.87
Jupiter 318ME 24.8

(a) Express the radii of the above three planets in terms of RE. Hence, compare
the radii of the three planets. (5 marks)

9
2_ch10_SQ_e

(b) From the data in the table, Jack concludes that a planet with larger mass must
have larger acceleration due to gravity near its surface. Is he correct? Explain
briefly. (2 marks)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
GM
(a) By g = , 1M
r2

GM
r=
g

G 0.0553ME
Radius of Mercury = 3.70 = 0.383RE 1A
gE
9.81

G 0.815ME
Radius of Venus = 8.87 = 0.949RE 1A
gE
9.81

G 318M E
Radius of Jupiter = 24.8 = 11.2RE 1A
gE
9.81
 Radius of Jupiter  radius of Venus  radius of Mercury 1A
(b) Jack is not correct. 1A
GM
By g = , the acceleration due to gravity on a planet’s surface is
r2
related to both the mass and the radius of the planet. 1A
-- ans end --

[10175766] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=7><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 The radius and the mass of the Earth are 6370 km and 5.97  1024 kg respectively.
The radius and the mass of the Moon are 1740 km and 7.35  1022 kg
respectively. Take the acceleration due to gravity near the Earth’s surface as 9.81
m s2.
(a) Find the acceleration due to gravity near the Moon’s surface. (3 marks)
(b) An astronaut has a mass of 50 kg.
(i) When she is on the Earth, find the magnitude of the gravitational force
acting on the Earth by her. (3 marks)

10
2_ch10_SQ_e

(ii) When she is on the Moon, find the magnitude of the gravitational force
acting on the Moon by her. (1 mark)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
GM
(a) By g = , 1M
r2

GM m
gm = 2
rm

7.35 10 22
G M E
5.97 10 24
= 2
 1740 
 r E 
 6370 

GM E
= 0.165  2 1M
rE

= 0.165  9.81
= 1.62 m s2 1A
The acceleration due to gravity near the Moon’s surface is 1.62 m s2.
(b) (i) By Newton’s third law of motion,
gravitational force acting on the Earth by her
= gravitational force acting on her by the Earth 1M
= mgE 1M
= 50  9.81
= 491 N 1A
(ii) Gravitational force acting on the Moon by her
= gravitational force acting on her by the Moon
= mgm
= 50  1.62
= 81.0 N 1A
-- ans end --

[10175770] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=4><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 A cannonball is projected horizontally from a very high mountain as shown.

11
2_ch10_SQ_e

The speed of the cannonball is u. The cannonball performs uniform circular

motion around the Earth. The acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the
Earth is g and the Earth’s radius is R. How high is the mountain? Express the
answer in terms of the above parameters. (4 marks)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
Gravitational force = centripetal force
GM E m mu 2
= 1M
r2 r
GM E
r=
u2
GM E R2
=  1M
R2 u2
gR 2
= 1M
u2
gR 2
 Height of the mountain = R 1A
u2
-- ans end --

[10175850] <lvl=avg><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=5><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 The Earth’s mass is 5.97  1024 kg. The gravitational field strength is 9.81 N kg1
near its surface. The universal gravitational constant G is 6.67  1011 N m2 kg2.
(a) Find the Earth’s radius. (2 marks)
(b) Jim thinks that the gravitational field strength is related to the altitude, so he
measures the weight of a 5-kg object at the top and the bottom of a 500-m

12
2_ch10_SQ_e

mountain. However, he finds that the results have no significant difference.

Explain briefly. (3 marks)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
GM
(a) By g = , 1M
r2

GM
Earth’s radius =
g

6.67 10  11 5.97 10 24

=
9.81
= 6.37  106 m 1A
(b) The gravitational field strength is related to the altitude. 1A
However, when compared with the Earth’s radius (6370 km), a height of
500 m is very small. 1A
It makes a very small difference to the gravitational field strength. 1A
-- ans end --

[10175721] <lvl=dif><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=7><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 In a three-star system, three identical stars, each of mass M, form an equilateral
triangle with side L. They are moving in a circular orbit under the influence of one
another’s gravitational force.
B

L
circular orbit

A
C

L
(a) Show that the radius of the circular orbit is . (2 marks)
2 cos 30
(b) Find the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on star A. (3 marks)

13
2_ch10_SQ_e

(c) Find the orbital speed of star A. (2 marks)

Express the answers in terms of M, L and the universal gravitational constant G.
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
(a) Consider triangle OAD.
B

A C
D

L 60
By symmetry, AD = and OAD = = 30 1M
2 2

L
AD
cos 30 = = 2 1M
OA
r

L
r=
2 cos 30

GMm
(b) By F = , 1M
r2

GM 2
gravitational force F acting on A by B =
L2
2GM 2 cos 30
Net force acting on A = 2  F cos 30 = 1A
L2
2GM 2 cos 30
The net force acting on A is , pointing towards the
L2
centre of the circular orbit. 1A

Mv 2
(c) By F = , 1M
r

2GM 2 cos 30 Mv 2

2
=
L r

14
2_ch10_SQ_e

2 cos 30
= Mv 2 
L

GM
v= 1A
L

GM
The orbital speed of A is .
L
-- ans end --

[10175948] <lvl=dif><part=ext><type=sq><cur=phy><mark=9><bk=2><ch=10>
FE
 The radius of the Earth is R. The acceleration due to gravity on the Earth’s surface
is gE.
(a) At a certain height H above the Earth’s surface, the acceleration due to
1
gravity is equal to g . Find H in terms of R. (3 marks)
6 E
(b) Suppose an object of mass m orbits around the Earth in uniform circular
motion at a height half of that in (a).
(i) What is the magnitude of the gravitational force applied on the object
by the Earth? Give your answer in terms of m and gE. (3 marks)
(ii) Find the orbital period of the object in terms of R and gE. (3 marks)
-- ans --

Solutions Marks
GM
(a) By g = , 1M
r2

1 GM
gE =
6 R  H  2
GM R2
= 2 
R R  H  2
R2
= gE  1M
R  H  2
(R + H)2 = 6R2
R+H= 6R or  6R (rejected)
H = 1.45R 1A
GMm
(b) (i) Gravitational force = 1M
r2

15
2_ch10_SQ_e

GMm
2
= 1.45R 
R  
 2 

GM m
= 2
 1M
R 1.725 2
m
= gE 
1.725 2
= 0.336mgE 1A
(ii) Gravitational force = centripetal force
1M
0.336mgE = mr 2
 1.45R  2
= mR  
 2 

 = 0.441 g E
R
2
Orbital period = 1M

2
= gE
0.441
R

R
= 14.2 1A
gE

-- ans end --

16