CAIE A-Level Physics A2 13.4.1 Gravitational Potential At a Point As the Work Done Per Unit Mass in Topic Practice

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Question 1

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Question (a)

(a)

Define gravitational potential at a point.

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Question (b)

(b)

A satellite X , of mass M, orbits a planet at a constant distance 4 R from the centre of the planet, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1 (not to scale)

Fig. 1.1 (not to scale)

A second satellite Y, of mass 2 M, orbits the planet with orbital radius R.
The gravitational potential at X due to the planet is −Φ-\Phi. The planet is a uniform sphere.

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Question (i)

(i)

Explain why the gravitational potential at X is negative.

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