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B2. This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about simple harmonic motion and the superposition of waves. Part 2 is about gravitational fields.
Part 1 Simple harmonic motion and the superposition of waves
An object of mass m is placed on a frictionless surface and attached to a light horizontal spring. The other end of the spring is fixed.

The equilibrium position is at B . The direction B to C is taken to be positive. The object is released from position A and executes simple harmonic motion between positions A and C .

(a)

Part 2
Gravitational fields

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(i)

Deduce that the gravitational field strength g at the surface of a spherical planet of uniform density is given by

g=\frac{G M}{R^{2}}

where M is the mass of the planet, R is its radius and G is the gravitational constant. You can assume that spherical objects of uniform density act as point masses.

[ 2 ]

(ii)

The gravitational field strength at the surface of Mars $g_{\mathrm{M}}$ is related to the gravitational field strength at the surface of the Earth $g_{\mathrm{E}}$ by

g_{\mathrm{M}}=0.38 \times g_{\mathrm{E}}

The radius of Mars $R_{\mathrm{M}}$ is related to the radius of the Earth $R_{\mathrm{E}}$ by

R_{\mathrm{M}}=0.53 \times R_{\mathrm{E}}

Determine the mass of Mars $M_{\mathrm{M}}$ in terms of the mass of the Earth $M_{\mathrm{E}}$ .

[ 2 ]

IB Physics SL D 1 4 Gravitational Field Strength Topic Practice

Question 1

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)