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A-Level CAIE Physics 13 1 Gravitational Field Question Bank

Practice A-Level CAIE Physics 13 1 Gravitational Field questions by syllabus topic with past-paper context, marks, difficulty and question previews on Eduninja.

10 matching questions ยท Open interactive library

Question 1

1

1 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

1 marks

Question 1(a)(i)

1(a)(i)

State what is indicated by the direction of the gravitational field line at a point in a gravitational field.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

direction of the force acting on a (test) mass placed at the point B1

Question 1

1

2 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

1 marks

Question 1(a)(i)

1(a)(i)

Define gravitational field.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

force per unit mass B1

Question 1(c)

1(c)

Assume that the Earth is a uniform conducting sphere of mass \(5.98 \times 10^{24} \mathrm{~kg}\). The surface of the Earth carries a charge of \(-4.80 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{C}\) that is evenly distributed.

structured1 marks

Question 1(c)(ii)

1(c)(ii)

State how the direction of the electric field at the surface of the Earth compares with the direction of the gravitational field.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

same (direction) B1

Question 1

1

3 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

Define gravitational field.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

force per unit mass B1

Question 1(b)

1(b)

A spherical planet can be considered as a point mass at its centre.

structured2 marks

Question 1(b)(i)

1(b)(i)

On Fig. 1.1, draw gravitational field lines outside the planet to represent the gravitational field due to the planet.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

lines drawn are radial from the surface B1 arrows show pointing towards planet B1

Question 1

1

2 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

The Earth has a mass of \(5.98 \times 10^{24} \mathrm{~kg}\) and a radius of \(6.37 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m}\). The Moon has a mass of \(7.35 \times 10^{22} \mathrm{~kg}\) and a radius of \(1.74 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m}\). The Earth and the Moon can both be considered as point masses at their centres. Their centres are a distance of \(3.84 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}\) apart.

structured2 marks

Question 1(b)(ii)

1(b)(ii)

Explain why there is a point X on the line between the centres of the Earth and the Moon where the resultant gravitational field strength due to the Earth and the Moon is zero.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

fields (due to Earth and the Moon) have equal magnitudes B1 fields (due to Earth and the Moon) are in opposite directions B1

Question 1

1

2 marks

Question 1(b)

1(b)

The Earth has a mass of \(5.98 \times 10^{24} \mathrm{~kg}\) and a radius of \(6.37 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m}\). The Moon has a mass of \(7.35 \times 10^{22} \mathrm{~kg}\) and a radius of \(1.74 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m}\). The Earth and the Moon can both be considered as point masses at their centres. Their centres are a distance of \(3.84 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}\) apart.

structured2 marks

Question 1(b)(ii)

1(b)(ii)

Explain why there is a point X on the line between the centres of the Earth and the Moon where the resultant gravitational field strength due to the Earth and the Moon is zero.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

fields (due to Earth and the Moon) have equal magnitudes B1 fields (due to Earth and the Moon) are in opposite directions B1

Question 1

1

2 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

The point P in Fig. 1.1 represents a point mass. On Fig. 1.1, draw lines to represent the gravitational field around P. - P Fig. 1.1

Easystructured2 marks

Answer

at least 4 straight radial lines to P B1 all arrows pointing along the lines towards P B1

Question 1

1

the amplitude, amplitude = cm

structured1 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

State what is meant by a gravitational field.

Easystructured2 marks

Answer

region of space area / volume B1 where a mass experiences a force B1

Question 1

1

4 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

State what is meant by a field of force.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

region (of space) where a particle / body experiences a force B1

Question 1(b)

1(b)

Gravitational fields and electric fields are two examples of fields of force. State one similarity and one difference between these two fields of force. similarity: difference:

Mediumstructured3 marks

Answer

similarity: e.g. force \(\propto 1 / r^{2}\) potential \(\propto 1 / r\) B1 difference: e.g. gravitation force (always) attractive B1 electric force attractive or repulsive B1

Question 1

1

gel and soft tissue,

structured1 marks

Question 1(a)

1(a)

Define gravitational field strength.

Easystructured1 marks

Answer

force per unit mass (ratio idea essential) B1 [1]

Question 2

2

2 marks

Question 2(b)

2(b)

The Earth E and the Moon M can both be considered as isolated point masses at their centres. The mass of the Earth is \(5.98 \times 10^{24} \mathrm{~kg}\) and the mass of the Moon is \(7.35 \times 10^{22} \mathrm{~kg}\). The Earth and the Moon are separated by a distance of \(3.84 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m}\), as shown in Fig. 2.1. P is a point, on the line joining the centres of E and M, where the resultant gravitational field strength is zero. Point P is at a distance x from the centre of the Earth.

structured2 marks

Question 2(b)(i)

2(b)(i)

Explain how it is possible for the gravitational field strength to be zero despite the presence of two large masses nearby.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

(gravitational) fields from the Earth and Moon are in opposite directions B1 (resultant is zero where gravitational) fields are equal (in magnitude) B1