CAIE A-Level Physics A2 13.2 Gravitational Force Between Point Masses Questions

Practise applying Newton’s gravitational law to point masses and uniform spheres, analysing circular or geostationary orbits and calculating orbital quantities.

Exam points

apply Newton’s law of gravitation to point masses and uniform spheres
analyse circular and geostationary orbits by equating gravitational and centripetal effects
calculate orbital quantities and interpret geostationary conditions

Covered syllabus points

13.2.1—That, for a point outside a uniform sphere, the mass of the sphere may be 13.2.2—Newton’s law of gravitation F = Gm1m2 / r2 for the force between two point 13.2.3—Circular orbits in gravitational fields by relating the gravitational force 13.2.4—A satellite in a geostationary orbit remains at the same point above the

[Maximum number: 2]

Another satellite is in a circular orbit around the Earth with the same orbital radius and period as the satellite in (c).

Despite having the same orbital period, the orbit of this satellite is not geostationary.

Suggest two ways in which the orbit of this satellite could be different from the orbit of the satellite in (c).

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2

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Covered syllabus points

Question 1