IB Physics Topic D.1 Gravitational Fields Questionbank (SL/HL)

Question 1

SLPaper 2

The Moon orbits the Earth at an average distance of $3.84 \times 1 0^{8} m$ . The mass of the Earth is $5.97 \times 1 0^{24} kg$ and $G = 6.67 \times 1 0^{- 11} N m^{2} kg^{- 2}$ .

1.

State the direction of the gravitational field produced by the Earth.

[1]

2.

Calculate the gravitational field strength at the Moon’s orbit due to the Earth.

[2]

3.

Explain why the Moon remains in orbit despite this weak field.

[1]

Question 2

SLPaper 1A

Which of the following correctly describes the force acting between two point masses due to gravity?

Question 3

SLPaper 1A

An object weighs $800 N$ on Earth where the gravitational field strength is $10 N kg^{- 1}$ . What is its mass?

Question 4

HLPaper 1A

An orbital probe cannon orbits around a planet of mass $M$ at a radius of $R$ . If the cannon has a mass of $m$ , what is its angular momentum?

Question 5

SLPaper 1A

According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, which of the following would double the gravitational force between two point masses?

IB Physics D.1 Gravitational Fields Questionbank

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