HKAL Exercise : Part 1 Mechanics

Chapter 4 Gravitation
4.1 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
(Structural question)
1. A student suggests that gravity can be thought of in the following way:
“Gravity behaves like an invisible, elastic ‘sponge’ surrounding the earth. When a ball is
thrown up in the air it falls back to the earth because the ‘sponge’ is compressed and
forces the ball back downwards. Things like rockets can escape from the earth because
they have enough energy to break right through the ‘sponge’.”
A ball is thrown vertically into the air. Sketch the variation of the veloctiy of the ball with time
during its upward and downward motion, according to
(a) the student’s ‘sponge’ theory,

(b) Newton’s theory.

(3 marks)
4.2 The Earth’s Field
Gravity on the Earth’s surface Apparent weight
2. Assuming the Earth to be a perfect sphere, 3. Taking the Earth to be a perfect sphere of
what would its angular velocity of rotation uniform density rotating about its polar
have to be for an object at the equator to axis, which of the following statements
be weightless (i.e. to give a spring balance concerning the observed acceleration due
reading of zero) ? to gravity, g, at the surface of the Earth is
(Radius of the Earth = 6.4 × 106 m.) NOT true?
A. 6.4 × 10-13 rad/s (1) g at the equator is larger than that at the
B. 2.4 × 10-12 rad/s poles.
C. 1.3 × 10-3 rad/s (2) If the rate of rotation of the Earth slows
D. 1.6 × 10-2 rad/s down, g at the north pole increases.
(3) If the radius of the Earth increases with its
density remaining unchanged, g at the
poles decreases.
A. (1) only B. (3) only
C. (1) and (2) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
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4.3 Orbital Motion
Kepler’s Law
4. Kepler discovered that the line joining the Sun and a revolving planet sweeps out equal areas
in equal times. The physical law which most directly explains this phenomenon is
A. Newton’s first law of motion.
B. conservation of anguler momentum.
C. Newton’s law of universal gravitation..
D. conservation of energy.
5. The moon orbits the earth once every 27.3 days, with a mean orbital radius of R. What is the
period of an earth satellite with an orbital radius of R / 15 ?
A. 4.4 hr B. 11 hr C. 170 days D. 1600 days

6. A satellite moving round the Earth in a circular orbit of radius R has a period T. What would
the period be if the orbit were of radius R/16 ?
A. T/64 B. T/16 C. 4T D. 16T
7. For planets or satellites in circular orbits around a celestial body such as the sun or the earth,
the period T is related to the radius of orbit r by Kepler’s 3rd law T2 = kr3 where k is a constant.
Which of the following statements concerning the constant k is correct ?
A. It is a universal constant whose value depends on the choice of units.
B. It is a universal constant whose value is not affected by the choice of units.
C. It would have a certain value for all planets moving around the sun, but a different
value for all satellites moving around the earth.
D. It would have a certain value for the earth moving around the sun, but a different
value for another planet moving around the sun.
8.

A satellite S moves around a planet P in an elliptical orbit. The ratio of the speed of the satellite
at point a to that at point b is
A. 1 : 16. B. 1 : 4. C. 1 : 1. D. 4 : 1.
9. In which of the following situations is the magnitude of the normal reaction of the supporting
surface, R, equal to the weight of the boy, mg ?
(1) On the floor of a spacecraft in circular orbit around the earth.
(2) On the floor of a lift moving downwards with acceleration.
(3) At rest on a rough horizontal plane.
A. (1) only B. (3) only C. (1) and (2) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Weightlessness
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10. An astronaut in an orbiting satellite is sometimes said to be ‘weightless’. This condition occurs
when
(1) there is reaction of the floor of the satellite on the astronaut’s feet.
(2) the gravitational pull of the earth is exactly cancelled by the gravitational pull of the
moon.
(3) the gravitational attraction between the astronaut and the earth is just sufficient to provide
the centripetal force which keeps him in orbit.
A. (1) only B. (3) only C. (1) and (2) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
4.4 Gravitational Potential Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy and Gravitational Potential due to the Earth
(Structural question)
11. A rocket of mass 1500 kg moves vertically away from the earth with its engine closed. When
its height above the Earth’s surface is 400 km, its speed is 15000 m/s. (Assume the mass of the
rocket is a constant
(a) Find the rocket’s speed when its height above the Earth’s surface is 800 km. (3 marks)
( Gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2 kg-2,
Mass of Earth = 6 × 1024 kg,
Radius of Earth = 6.4 × 106 m.)

(b) Find its speed when it escapes the influence of the Earth. (2 marks)

12.

Two points X and Y are at distances a and 4a from the center of the Earth. The gravitational
potential at X is –8kJ/kg. When a 1 kg mass is taken from X to Y the work done on the mass is
A. -8 kJ. B. -6 kJ. C. +4 kJ. D. +6 kJ.

13. An object of mass m is released from a spacecraft at a distance 5 R from the center of the Earth
which has radius R and mass M. On reaching the Earth’s surface, the increase in kinetic energy
of the object is
A. 4GmM/(5R) B. GmM/(4R) C. GmM/R D. 4 GmM/R
14. A space capsule is launched with speed u from the surface of the Earth to a maximum height
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 above the ground equal to three times the radius of the Earth. A rocket is then fired horizontally
which keeps the space capsule revolving in a circular orbit round the earth at that altitude with
speed v. The ratio u : v is equal to
A. 1 : 4. B. 1 : . C. 4 : 1. D. : 1.

15. A uniform rope has a length l and a mass m. It is held stationary with 2/3 of the length of the
rope lying on a smooth horizontal table surface and with the remaining 1/3 hanging freely over
the edge. The minimum work required to pull the whole rope onto the table surface is
A. 0.028 mgl. B. 0.056 mgl. C. 0.28 mgl. D. 0.56 mgl.

16. Two satellites of the same mass travel around the earth in circular orbits of different radii. The
satellite in the orbit with smaller radius has
A. a greater sum of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
B. a greater angular momentum about the earth’s centre.
C. a shorter period.
D. a smaller acceleration towards the earth’s centre.

Escape speed
17. The velocity of escape from the earth is V0. For a planet with radius four times that of the earth
and with density three times that of the earth, the velocity of escape from the planet would be
A. V0/4 B. 2 V0 C. 4 V0 D. 8 V0

18. On a certain planet, an object is thrown vertically upwards with an initial velocity of v1 and it
returns to the ground after time t. If the velocity of escape from the planet is v2, find the radius
of the planet.

A. B. C. D.

19. The mass ratio of the earth and the moon is 81 : 1 and the earth-moon separation is 3.8 × 108
m. At which position between the earth and the moon is the gravitational potential at a
maximum ? (Ignore all other planets.)
A. On the surface of the earth B. 3.4 × 108 m from the earth
C. 0.4 × 108 m from the earth D. On the surface of the moon
(Derivation)
20. The mass ratio of the two planet X and Y is k : 1 and their separation is d. The position with the
gravitational potential at a maximum is at a distance r from X, find an expression for r. (Ignore
all other planets.)

(Structural question)
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21. (Given : GME = 4.0 × 1014 N m2 kg-1 where G = gravitational constant
ME = mass of earth)

Figure 7.1
A spacescraft (mass m) has just finished its mission on the moon and is planning to return to
the earth. Figure 7.1, which is not to scale, shows how the gravitational potential, V, between
the surface of the moon and the surface of the earth varies along the line of centres.
(a) Explain why there is a point of maximum on the graph. (2 marks)

(b) If the spacecraft is to just succeed in reaching the earth,

(i) what is the minimum energy per unit mass that has to be supplied?

(ii) What is the minimum speed of the spacecraft at take off?

(3 marks)

(c) At points A and B, the spacecraft is so far away from the moon that its gravitational
attraction on the spacecraft is negligible. The spacecraft is coasting through space with its
motors off. If it has a velocity of 4 800 m/s when at point A, 32 000 km from the centre of
the earth, what would be its velocity at point B, 18 000 km from the centre of the earth?
(3 marks)

(d) As the spacecraft is returning to the earth at a very high speed, frictional force between
the spacecraft and the atmosphere would cause its surface to reach a very high
temperature. In order to protect the astronauts, what sort of material should the spacecraft
be made of and why? (2 marks)

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(Structural question)
22. In 1989, the spacecraft ‘Voyager 2’ was sent from earth to the Neptunian system. Before this
expedition, two satellite of Neptune had been discovered, namely Triton and Nereid. Five more
satellites were discovered after this expedition. Their diameters d, period T and orbital radii
about Neptune r are as follows :
Satellite d / km T / hr r / 103 km
New :
1989 N1 420 26.90 117.6
1989 N2 200 9.22 70.6
1989 N3 140 8.22 64.1
1989 N4 160 6.89 58.0
1989 N5 90 5.48 47.8
Previously known :
Triton 2 720 140.90 354.3
Nereid 340 8 640 5 500
Given : radius of the earth = 6 300 km
(a) (i) Calculate the gravitational potential at the earth’s surface. (2 marks)

(ii) Find the minimum energy supplied to each kilogram of the mass of the spacecraft so
as to enable it to escape from the earth’s gravitational pull. Show your working.
(2 marks)

(b) Suggest a reason why 1989 N1 was not discovered from earth though it is bigger than
Nereid. (1 mark)

(c) It can be shown that the orbital radius r and period T satisfy the relation where

M is the mass of Neptune.

(i) What is the major assumption for the validity of the above relation ? (1 mark)

(ii) Using the information from the newly discovered satellites 1989 N2 to 1989 N5 of
Neptune, plot a suitable graph to find the mass of Neptune. Show your working.
(6 marks)
-11 2 -2
(Given : Gravitational constant G = 6.7 × 10 N m kg )

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4.4 Satellites
23. Due to air resistance, changes may occur D. (2) and (3) only
to a satellite orbiting the earth (assume 26. In which of the following cases is the
nearly circular orbit). Which of the resultant force on the object zero ?
changes below is incorrect ? (1) a feather falling freely in a vacuum
A. The total mechanical energy of the cylinder in a laboratory
satellite will increase. (2) a gas bubble rising with terminal
B. The linear speed of the satellite will velocity in water
increase. (3) a satellite moving round the earth
C. The time needed for the satellite to A. (1) only
complete one revolution will B. (2) only
decrease. C. (2) and (3) only
D. The angular momentum of the D. (1), (2) and (3)
satellite about the earth’s centre will
decrease. 27. A low-altitude satellite near the earth’s
surface has a speed of 8.00 km s -1. The
24. If v1 is the minimum speed for a projectile radius of the earth is about 4 times that of
to escape from the earth and v2 is the the moon and the ratio of the average
orbital speed of a satellite circling close to density of the earth to that of the moon is
the earth, then v1/v2 = about 5 : 4. The speed of a low-altitude
A. 1/2. satellite near the moon’s surface would be
B. 1. A. 4.48 km s-1.
C. . B. 3.62 km s-1.
D. 2. C. 2.24 km s-1.
25. In which of the following situations is the D. 1.79 km s-1.
magnitude of the normal reaction of the
supporting surface always larger than the 28. X and Y are two planets. Each of them has
weight of the body ? a low-altitude satellite revolving in a
(1) A ball bouncing vertically on a circular orbit close to the planet. If the two
horizontal ground is in contact with satellite are observed to have the same
the ground. period, then X and Y must have nearly the
(2) A boy standing in a lift which is same
moving vertically upward with A. gravitational potential at the
acceleration. planet’s surface.
(3) An astronaut in a spacecraft which B. mass.
performs circular motion around the C. average density.
earth. D. acceleration due to gravity at the
A. (1) only B. (3) only planet’s surface.
C. (1) and (2) only

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Geosynchronous Satellites (at equator, in parking orbit)
29. A communication satellite appears stationary vertically above an observer at the equator. The
height of the satellite above the observer is 3.6 × 107 m. Calculate the mass of the earth
Given :
Radius of the earth = 6.4 × 106 m
Gravitational constant = 6.7 × 10-11 Nm2kg-2
A. 4.5 × 1024 kg
B. 5.5 × 1024 kg
C. 6.0 × 1024 kg
D. 6.5 × 1024 kg
30. Which of the following statements about a communication satellite in parking orbit above the
earth’s surface is incorrect ?
A. It is accelerating towards the centre of the earth at all times.
B. It must be in a circular orbit above the earth’s equator.
C. It is vertically above different places on the earth’s surface at different times.
D. It must be rotating in the same sense and with the same angular speed as the earth.

Energy and Satellite Motion

(Essay)
31. In the following situation, use Newton’s laws of motion to explain whether or not a net force is
acting on the body. If no net force is acting, describe how the forces are balanced. If a net force
is acting, explain the origin of the net force and state its direction.
A communications satellite which maintains a constant position above the earth’s surface.
(2.5 marks)

(Structural question)
32. A satellite of mass 1000 kg is describing an elliptical orbit around the Earth. If its height above
the Earth’s surface is 1000 km, find
(a) its angular speed, (3 marks)

(b) its speed and its kinetic energy. (2 marks)

-11 2 -2 24
( Gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10 N m kg , Mass of Earth = 6 × 10 kg,
Radius of Earth = 6.4 × 106 m.)

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33.

Diagram not to scale

Figure 2
A satellite of mass 1 000 kg is describing an elliptical orbit around the Earth. The minimum
height of the orbit above the Earth’s surface is 200 km (at perigee) and the maximum height
above the Earth’s surface is 1 400 km (at apogee).
(a) On the following diagram sketch the variation of the kinetic energy of the satellite with
the height above the Earth’s surface from perigee to apogee.

(2 marks)
(b) (i) If the velocities of the satellite at apogee and at perigee are va and vp respectively, use
the conservation of angular momentum equation to find va in terms of vp.

(ii) By considering the conservation of energy equation, hence determine the value of va.
( Gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2 kg-2,
Mass of Earth = 6 × 1024 kg,
Radius of Earth = 6.4 × 106 m.)
(5 marks)

34. (a) Two students have heard about the possibility of placing a communications satellite in an
orbit such that it remains vertically above the same place on the surface of the Earth. One says
the satellite must be so far away that it is not affected by the Earth’s gravity. The other asks
whether there is a communications satellite directly above Hong Kong. What would you say to
each of them to help them understand such satellites? (4 marks)

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 (b) Considering the Earth to be a non-rotating sphere, Sir Issac Newton once argued that if a
cannon-ball were fired horizontally at high enough speed from any point on the Earth, it
would eventually return and strike the cannon from behind.
(i) Given that the speed of the cannon-ball remained constant, what would be the least
time for it to arrive at the cannon again?
(The radius of the Earth may be taken to be 6.5 × 106 m and the acceleration due to
gravity to be 10 m/s2).

(ii) In reality, there are various reasons why the cannon-ball would not arrive at the
cannon again. Give any THREE, with brief explanations.
(6 marks)

35. A space shuttle is launched into a circular orbit around the earth at an altitude of 1.2 ×10 5 m.
(Given : radius of the earth = 6.4 × 106 m)
(a) (i) Find the orbital speed of the shuttle. Show your working. (3 marks)

(ii) Calculate the gravitational force acting on an astronaut of mass 50 kg in the shuttle.
(2 marks)

(b) Two astronauts A and B, each of mass 50 kg, float in the cabin of the shuttle. They
approach each other in opposite directions with the same speed of 1.5 m s-1. Astronaut A
carries with him a toolbox of mass 20 kg.
(i) Explain why the astronauts appear to be ‘weightless’ in the cabin. (1 mark)

(ii) In order to avoid colliding head-on with B, A thrown the toolbox to B, and B grasps
the box once it reaches him. How can a collision be avoided by so doing ? (2 marks)

(iii) Calculate the minimum speed that the toolbox should have when it reaches B in
order to avoid a collision. (4 marks)

(iv) Use the result in (b) (iii) to find the corresponding work that is done on the toolbox
by A. (2 marks)
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HKAL Exercise (KEY) : Part 1 Mechanics
Chapter 4 Gravitation

1. (a) Initially decreasing force from zero 1

Later increase back to zero 1

(b) Constant force 1

3
2 – 10 : CDBB, ACDBB,

11. (a) potential energy = 1

- = - 1

- = -

vb2 = va2 - +

vb2 =

vb = 14800 m/s 13
(b) When it leaves the influence of the Earth, rb = ∞. 1

vb2 = va2 - +0

vb = 10400 m/s 12
12 – 19 : DADB, CCAB,

20. r = d

dV
21. (a) Gravitational force = mE =  m( )
dr
dV
at point of maximum = 0, i.e. gravitational force = 0 1
dr
gravitational force due to the Moon = gravitational force due to Earth 12
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 (b) (i) Energy per unit mass required= (-1.2-(-2.6))  106 Jkg-1
= 1.4  106 Jkg-1 1
(ii) ½v2 = 1.4  106 1
v= 1.18  103 ms-1 13
(c) k.e. gain = p.e. loss
1 1 1 1
mv B2  mv A2 = GM E m(  )
2 2 rB rA

v B2  v 2A = 1

vB = 6518 ms-1 13
(d) Spacecraft coated with tiles of
- poor thermal conductivity because heat will not be conducted into spacecraft 1+1 2
OR
- high specific heat capacity because large amount of heat may be absorbed
OR
- high melting point because …

22. (a) (i) V0 =

= 1

= - 10 × 6 300 × 103
= - 6.3 × 107 J kg-1 12
-1
(ii) V∞ = 0 J kg 1
7
Minimum energy per kg = 0 – (– 6.3 × 10 )
= 6.3 × 107 J 12
(b) 1989 N1 is too close to Neptune that it is lost in the glare of the reflected sunlight
from Neptune. 11
or 1989 N1 and Neptune cannot be resolved when observed from earth.
(c) (i) Orbits of the satellites are circular. 1
Or Assume Neptune is stationary.
Or Neglect the gravitational pull of nearby planets/satellites. 1
(ii)
T2 / hr2 85.0 67.5 47.5 30.0
3 9 3 5 5 5
r / 10 km 3.50 × 10 2.60 × 10 1.95 × 10 1.10 × 105
Appropriate quantities are chosen for plotting the graph 1
Points correctly plotted 1
Correct graph (best straight line) 1

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 slope = 1

= 3.09 × 1014 (m3 s-2) (or 4.00 × 1012 km3 hr-2)

slope = = 3.09 × 1014 1

M =

= 1.82 × 1026 kg 16
23 – 30 : ACC, BDCCC,
31. The satellite remains above the same point on the earth, so it must be moving

in a circular orbit.

Its velocity/direction is therefore changing and

it is accelerating towards the earth so a net force is present.

The origin of the net force is the gravitational attraction between the satellite

and the earth,

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 which directs towards the centre of the earth. 8

32. (a) , 1

ω= = 1

= 9.94 10-4 rad s-1 13

(b) v = ω r = 9.94 10-4 10 6

= 994 m s-1 1

K.E. = =

= 4.94 108 J 12
33. (a) slopes downwards 1
concave upwards 12

(b) (i) mvara = mvprp 1

rp
va = v p 
ra

= = 0.846 vp 12

GmM
(ii) potential energy =  1
r
1 GmM 1 GmM
mv a2 - = mv 2p - r 1
2 ra 2 p

va2 GM v 2p GM
- = - r
2 ra 2 p

2GM 2GM
va2 = vp2 - rp
+
ra

(1- )va2 =

0.397 va2 = 1.87  107

va = 6860 ms-1 13
M
34. (a) If  is angular speed of rotation of Earth, satellite possible when r2 = G . 1
r2

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 M
Only one value of r will work; without G satellite would travel off into space. 1
r2
For synchronous satellite: Orbit must be equatorial, in same sense as rotation of the
Earth. 1
Hong Kong not equatorial, so any satellite passing directly overhead would have to
travel on a great circle so could not be ‘stationary’. 14
mv 2
(b) (i) = mg 1
R
v = gR = 8 060 ms-1
2R
Time = 1
v

= = 5 070 s 1

(ii) Reasons:
- Earth not a perfect sphere; g varies over the Earth’s surface.
- Earth rotates; when cannon-ball comes back, the cannon may have moved to a
different location.
- Air drag may reduce ball speed; speed not constant.
- v too large; unrealistic muzzle speed.
Any THREE of the above @1. 36

35. (a) (i) = 1

= 1

v2 = 10

v = 7.9 × 103 m s-1 13

(ii) mg1 = (or = mgo ) 1

= 4.8 × 102 N 12
(b) (i) The weight of the astronaut is all used for centripetal acceleration, therefore 1
the astronaut is no longer being pulled to the floor. 1
(ii) Since some momentum of A is transferred to B by so doing, the velocity of B 1
can be reversed such that vB ≧ vA. (Accept any other reasonable answers 1
like the direction of A is reversed) 2
-1 -1
(iii) uA = 1.5 m s , uB = -1.5 m s
vA = vB = v, v1 = velocity of toolbox flying towards B
By conservation of linear momentum,
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 (50 + 20) (1.5) + (50) (-1.5) = (50 + 50 + 20) v 1
-1
v = 0.25 m s 1
Consider the toolbox and astronaut B, and by the conservation of linear momentum
20 v1 + (50) (-1.5) = (20 + 50) (0.25) 1
-1
v1 = 4.6 m s 14

(iv) W = (20) (4.62 – 1.52) 1

= 189 J 12

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