IB Physics HL D.1.10 Work in Gravitational Fields Question Bank

Practise IB Physics HL D.1.10 by calculating work, potential-energy changes and spacecraft transfers between gravitational equipotentials.

[Maximum number: 2]

The graph shows how the gravitational potential V of Earth varies with distance R from the centre of Earth in the range $R=2.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$ to $R=5.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$ .

Figure for Question D.1.10 (HL)—Work in gravitational fields question 1 — IB Physics HL

The Moon is at a distance of $4.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$ from the centre of Earth. At some time in the past it was at a distance of $2.7 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$ from the centre of Earth.

Use the graph opposite to determine

by how much the potential energy of the Moon has changed as a result of moving from $R=2.7 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$ to $R=4.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}$ . The mass of the Moon is $7.4 \times 10^{22} \mathrm{~kg}$ .

change in $V=0.45 \times 10^{6}-0.50 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~J} \mathrm{~kg}^{-1}$ ;
change in $\mathrm{PE}=\left(0.5 \times 10^{6} \times 7.4 \times 10^{22}=\right) 3.3-3.7 \times 10^{28} \mathrm{~J}$ ;

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D.1.10 (HL)—Work in gravitational fields question 1