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Gravitational Field

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 24mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Two isolated masses m1 and m2 are separated by a distance r. Which expression gives the gravitational field strength caused by m1 at m2?

a)

G m1m2 / r

b)

G m1 m2 / r2

c)

G m1 / r2

d)

G m2 / r2

2.

What is numerically equal to the gravitational field strength at a point P on the Earth's surface?

a)

the acceleration of free fall at P.

b)

the change in potential energy per unit distance from P.

c)

the force acting on any body placed at P.

d)

the work done in bringing unit mass from infinity to P.

3.

Which statement about a uniform gravitational field is true?

a)

Its magnitude is the same in all directions.

b)

The gravitational potential has the same value at all points within it.

c)

Its direction is opposite to the direction of motion of a test mass released in it.

d)

Its field strength is the same at all points within it.

4.

At the Earth's surface, the gravitational field strength is about lO N kg-1. At a point outside the Earth and a distance x from its centre, the field strength is about 5 N kg-1. Which expression gives an approximate value for the radius of the Earth?

a)

x/5

b)

x / 2 √2

c)

x / 2

d)

x / √2

5.
An object is moved from A to B in the gravitational field of Earth. The distance between the centre of Earth and B is twice that of A. If the gravitational potential energy of the object at A is –2.0 MJ, what is the gravitational potential energy of the object at B?
a)
zero
b)
-0.5MJ
c)
-1.0MJ
d)
-4.0MJ
6.
Gravitational potential at a point is....
a)
the work done in bringing a unit mass from infinity to the point
b)
the work done in bringing a unit mass from the point to infinity
c)
the work done in bringing a unit charge from infinity to the point
d)
the work done in bringing a unit mass from twice the radius of the mass to the point
7.
Gravitational field strength is measured in:
a)
N
b)
J/kg
c)
m/s
d)
N/kg
8.

The gravitational potential energy is zero at

a)

just above the surface

b)

the surface

c)

infinity

d)

just before infinity

9.

Which equation shows the gravitational potential, V?

a)

V = − G Mr2V\ =\ -\ \frac{G\ M}{r^2}

b)

V = − G MrV\ =\ -\ \frac{G\ M}{r}

c)

V = G Mr2V\ =\ \frac{G\ M}{r^2}

d)

V = G MrV\ =\ \ \frac{G\ M}{r}

10.

Consider a body of mass m which needs to be moved from an orbit of radius 2R to 3R. What is the energy required

a)

GMm/R

b)

GMm/R2

c)

GMm/6R2

d)

GMm/6R

11.

At the Earth's surface, the gravitational field strength is about lO N kg-1. At a point outside the Earth and a distance x from its centre, the field strength is about 5 N kg-1. Which expression gives an approximate value for the radius of the Earth?

a)

x/5

b)

x / 2 √2

c)

x / 2

d)

x / √2

12.

Gravitational potential energy, 𝑈 stored in a test mass 𝑚 placed at a distance 𝑟 from the center of planet 𝑀 is defined as the ____________ by gravitational force in bringing a test mass from infinity to that point.

a)

energy

b)

power

c)

velocity

d)

work done

13.

According to Newton's law of gravitation, the Earth and the Moon are gravitationally attracted to each other. The more massive Earth attracts the Moon with...

a)

a stronger force than the Moon attracts the Earth.

b)

a weaker force than the Moon attracts the Earth.

c)

the same force as the Moon attracts the Earth.

d)

a force that is sometimes stronger and other times weaker than the Moon attracts the Earth.

14.

Gravitational PE= (a)   x mass

15.

Which equation represents general gravitational potential energy?

a)

Eg = GMm/r2

b)

Eg = -GMm/r2

c)

Eg = GMm/r

d)

Eg = -GMm/r

16.

As the distance between an object and Earth increases,

a)

the gravitational constant G increases

b)

the gravitational constant G decreases

c)

the gravitational potential energy relative to Earth approaches infinity

d)

the gravitational potential energy relative to Earth approaches zero

17.

Planet N has a gravitational potential –V at its surface. Planet M has double the density and double the radius of planet N. Both planets are spherical and have uniform density.


What is the gravitational potential at the surface of planet M?

a)

–16V

b)

–8V

c)

–4V

d)

–0.2V

18.

X and Y are two stars of equal mass M. The distance between their centres is d.


What is the gravitational potential at the mid-point P between them?

a)
b)
c)
d)
19.

Which one of the following could be a unit of gravitational potential?

a)

N

b)

J

c)

N kg–1

d)

J kg–1

20.

Mars has a diameter approximately 0.5 that of the Earth, and a mass of 0.1 that of the Earth.

The gravitational potential at the Earth’s surface is −63 MJ kg–1.

What is the approximate value of the gravitational potential at the surface of Mars?

a)

−13 MJ kg–1

b)

−25 MJ kg–1

c)

−95 MJ kg–1

d)

−320 MJ kg–1