2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

Page 45

Chapter 6 Newtons law of universal gravitation F =

G! !2 r2

Gravity

N"#$%N&' ()# %F *N+,"-')( G-),+$)$+%N Gravity is a force that [Link] throughout the *niverse/ +t 0a1es things fall 2own when you 2rop the03 it 1eeps satellites in the or4its3 it lea2s to ti2es on "arth3 it causes stars an2 4lac1 holes to for0 an2 it will ulti0ately 2eter0ine the fate of the *niverse/ Newton 2eter0ine2 the gravity is a force of attraction that [Link] 4etween any two 4o2ies an2 that it varie2 as the inverse of their separation s5uare2 an2 in 2irect proportion to their 0asses/ +t is a very wea1 force an2 only 4eco0es noticea4le when at least one of the o46ects is e.tre0ely 0assive/ $he force acts e5ually on 4oth 0asses/ F=

G!0 r2

where F = gravitational force on each 0ass 7N8

G = universal gravitational constant !3 0 = 0asses 71g8 - = 2istance 4etween the centres on the 0asses 7!3 08 $he *niversal Gravitational constant G = 6/69 0: N 02 1g:2

Gravitational fiel23 using g =

G! r2

G-),+$)$+%N)( F+"(;' For a 4o2y on3 or a4ove3 the surface of the "arth3 the 0ass of the "arth 0ay 4e consi2ere2 to 4e concentrate2 at its centre/

Gravitational fiel2 of "arth

"arth

Fiel2 strength is wea1er as the fiel2 lines sprea2 out/ $he force 4etween the two 4o2ies = weight of s0all 4o2y

G!0 r
2

= 0g

g=

G! r2

$hus the acceleration 2ue to gravity at then surface of the earth3 g3 is 2eter0ine2 4y the 0ass of the earth an2 the ra2ius of the earth3 not the si<e of the 0ass in the fiel2/ $o calculate the value of &g& at the "arth&s surface= G = 6/69 0: N 02 1g:2 3 != 6/0 024 1g3 r = 6/4 06 0/ g = >/? N 1g: /

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

Page 46

)t the surface of the "arth3 the gravitational fiel2 strength3 g3 is >/? N 1g: 3 it 4eco0es wea1er further fro0 the "arth/ 400 10 a4ove the "arth g is ?/9 N 1g: 3 the -ussian space station !ir or4its at this altitu2e/ )ustralia&s )*'')$ or4its at 423000 103 where g is 0/22 N 1g : / )ny o46ect that is falling freely through a gravitational fiel2 will fall with an acceleration e5ual to the gravitational fiel2 strength at the point/ g 7N@1g8 >/? g r g

r2
2istance fro0 the centre of "arth 708

"arth&s 'urface Earth Application Force between the Earth and Moon Examples

2000 Halleys comet last passed by Earth in 1986. The path of this comet is elliptical. Part of this ellipse is shown in Fig re 1! with P! " and # representing three points along the path. Point P is 1.$ 1$1% m from the & n.

Figure 1 2000 Question 1 'alc late the magnit de of the gra(itational field strength at point P d e to the & n.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q1 g is the gravitational fiel2 strength/ 'o usingA

F = 0g =
g=

G!0 2

$he 0 cancels an2 we can write g =

G! -2

'u4 the values in/

6/69 0

( /0

g = /BB 0:4N1g:

Examiners comment Q1 $he 0agnitu2e of the suns gravitational fiel2 at point P calculates to /BB 0:4 N 1g: / $his re5uire2 a si0ple su4stitution into the fiel2 strength e5uation/ #ith an average score of /5>@23 0ost stu2ents un2erstoo2 how to calculate the

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

Page 49

gravitational fiel2 strength/ $he 0ost co00on error occurre2 as a result of stu2ents neglecting to s5uare the 2istanceA that is3 they correctly wrote 2own the for0ula an2 su4stitute2 in values3 4ut then forgot to s5uare/ +t is also worth encouraging stu2ents to consi2er the li1eliness of answers 7forgetting to s5uare the 2istance o4taine2 an answer that was too large8/

Circular or4its un2er gravity3 using a =

v2 r

')$"((+$"' +N %-C+$ ) satellite is any o46ect that is in a sta4le or4it aroun2 another o46ect/ $he "arth an2 all the other planets are natural satellites of the 'un/ $he 0oon is the "arth&s only natural satellite 4ut there are thousan2s of artificial satellites or4iting/ $hese are use2 for co00unication3 weather forecasting3 geological surveying an2 espionage/ $he 0oon aroun2 the "arth )pplication For a satellite in a sta4le circular or4it3 the only force acting on a satellite is the gravitational attraction 4etween it an2 the central 4o2y/ $his force acting on it is always perpen2icular to its 0otion/ $herefore the energy of the satellite is unchange2 as it or4its/ $he 1inetic energy an2 gravitational potential energy 4oth stay the sa0e/ $he force of gravity hol2s the satellites in their or4its an2 causes the0 to have an acceleration towar2s the central 0ass/ +f the force of gravity coul2 4e &turne2 off& then the satellites woul2 fly off at a tangent/ $he satellites are continually falling towar2s the earth at the sa0e rate that the curve2 surface of the earth is falling away fro0 the satellites/ 'ince satellites are in a continual state of free:fall3 their acceleration will e5ual the gravitational fiel2 strength at that point/

4 r $2

G!0 G! 24 2v2 *sing v = a= *sing F = an2 F = 0g = g 2 2 $ -2 $ where v = spee2 70@s8 - = ra2ius of or4it 708 $ = perio2 of or4it 7s8 ! = central 0ass 71g8 g = gravitational fiel2 strength 7N@1g8/ Notice that the acceleration of the satellite is in2epen2ent of the 0ass of the satellite/ +f a satellite is in a geo:stationary or4it3 the satellite or4its the "arth every 24 hours/ $his is a &synchronous& or4it an2 1eeps the satellite a4ove the sa0e place all the ti0e/
a= D"P("-&' ()#' 7not on course8 +n 60>3 Depler3 a Ger0an astrono0er3 pu4lishe2 his three laws on the 0otion of planets/ / $he planets 0ove in elliptical or4its with the 'un at one focus/ 2/ $he line connecting a planet to the 'un sweeps out e5ual areas in e5ual ti0es B/ For every planet the ratio of the cu4e of the average or4ital ra2ius to the s5uare of the perio2 of revolution is the sa0e3 i/e/

)s area ) = area C3 then the ti0e it ta1es to 0ove fro0 - to ' is the sa0e as to 0ove fro0 ( to !/ $he 0ost significant conse5uence of Depler&s (aws was that the planets were no longer consi2ere2 to 0ove in perfect circles at a constant spee2/ $hey 0ove in elliptical paths3 the close2 to the sun3 the faster they travel an2 the further fro0 the sun the slower they travel/ $he constant for the thir2 law co0es fro0 F=

$2

-B

= constant

G!0 2

G! 4 E2-0 -B = 2 4E $2 $2

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

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perihelion

Planet

) 'un '

! (

aphelion

$hat is3 for a given central 4o2y of 0ass !3 the ratio

-B $

is constant an2 e5ual to

4 2

G!

for all its

satellites/ Note that this is not a universal constant3 4ut one that is constant for each central 4o2y3 ie/ it will 4e 2ifferent for the 0oon or4iting the earth an2 the earth or4iting the sun/ Examples !!1

The )ir space station orbited Earth at an altitude of *9$ +m. The total mass of the space station was 1,$ tonnes and )ir completed 8* -$$ orbits in the 1,.6 years before it crashed to Earth on %* )arch %$$1. Question 1 'alc late the period of )irs orbit in seconds.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q1 +f the space station co0plete2 ?B 500 or4its in 4/6 years3 then he perio2 is given ti0e7sec s8 4/6 B65 24 60 60 4y = = 5/5 4 0B secs ?B500 or4its 5/5 0B s

Question 2 'alc late the speed of )ir while in orbit.

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

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Solution Q Fou nee2 to 4e careful with the ra2ius of or4it/ $he station is B>0 10 a4ove the surface of the "arth3 so the ra2ius of or4it is -" G B>0 10/ $he units are 0i.e23 so you nee2 to 4e careful/ -or4it = 6/B9 06 0 v=

2r 276/B9 0 6 + B>0 0 B 8 = = 990B 0s: = 9/9 0B 0s: B t 5/5 0

Question 3 'alc late the (al e of the gra(itational field strength at *9$ +m abo(e Earths s rface.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q" 'ince it is in circular 0otion3 a = g = v2 where g is the gravitational fiel2 strength/ r = ?/9? N1g:

79/9 0 B 8 2 6/B9 0 6 + B>0 0 B

g=

5>/2> 0 6 6/96 0 6

.hen )ir was in stable orbit! an ob/ect of mass %.- +g was placed on a spring balance that was attached to the inside of the space station. Question 4 .hat wo ld be the weight shown on the spring balance0 E1plain yo r reasoning! or show yo r wor+ing! for determining the reading of the spring balance.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q# 'ince !ir is in a sta4le circular or4it3 an2 a = g3 then the reaction force fro0 the spring 4alance shoul2 4e <ero/ $he net force = 0g H $/ $his 0ust e5ual 0a/ Cut a = g3 so $ = 0/ %r 0g H $ = 0a 0g = 0a = $ $ = 0/

2000 .hen people went to the )oon in the 2pollo 11! the spacecraft was initially placed in a 3par+ing orbit 19$ +m abo(e Earths s rface. This is shown in Fig re *.

Figure 3 2000 Question 3 'alc late the speed of 2pollo 11 in the par+ing orbit. (RE 4 6.*5 1$6 m! ME 4 -.98 1$%, +g! G 4 6.65 1$611 7 m% +g6% 8

2002 Physics

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Gravity

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-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q" +n or2er to 2o this 5uestion you nee2 to un2erstan2 that the net force on the spacecraft is the gravitational force3 an2 that it is this gravitational force is the centripetal force re5uire2 to 1eep the spacecraft in or4it/ $herefore you can writeA

F net =

G!0 v2 = 0 -2 2 G! v = 2 G! = v2 -

2ivi2e 4oth si2es 4y 0 ti0es 4oth si2es 4y ta1e the s5uare root of 4oth si2es

Cefore you su4 the values in 0a1e sure they are the right ones (ets esta4lish what - isA it is the 2istance fro0 the centre of 0ass of the "arth to the centre of 0ass of the spacecraft/ 'o its the ra2ius of the earth plus the 2istance the spacecraft is a4ove the "arths surface/ - = -" + /> 05 - = 6/B9 06 + /> 05 - = 6/56 06 0 ! is the 0ass of the earth = 5/>? 024 1g Now you can su4 the values in an2 you get

v=

6/69 0 5/>? 024 6/56 0

v = 9/? 0B 0s

Examiners comments Q" $he par1ing or4it of )pollo is an e.a0ple of unifor0 circular 0otion in which the net force is provi2e2 4y the gravitational force 4etween "arth an2 )pollo / $his resulte2 in a spee2 of 9/? 0B 0 s: / $he average 0ar1 of /96@B 2e0onstrates that 6ust over 50I stu2ents ha2 a reasona4le grasp of this concept/ +n fact3 a4out half of the stu2ents score2 the full B 0ar1s for this 5uestion3 4ut a4out B0I score2 <ero/ $he 0ost co00on error was 0a2e 4y stu2ents forgetting to a22 the spacecrafts altitu2e to the ra2ius of "arth when 2eter0ining the ra2ius of the or4it/ !any stu2ents 0a2e si0ple errors when su4stituting in nu0erical values or when using their calculator/

Two st dents were disc ssing the physics of the motion of 2pollo 11 in the par+ing orbit. They realised that it was tra(elling at a constant speed b t not in a straight line. 9ane said that this can be predicted by 7ewtons first law. )aria claimed that this disobeyed 7ewtons first law. 2000 Question 4 E1plain! gi(ing reasons! whether 9ane is correct or incorrect! and whether )aria is correct or incorrect.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q# J ) 4o2y travelling in a straight line will continue to travel in a straight line unless a net force acts on it/ J the velocity of )pollo was changing 7change in 2irection83 it was accelerating J if )pollo was accelerating there 0ust have 4een a net force acting on )pollo /

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

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Kane was correct3 an2 Newtons first (aw was not 4ro1en/ Fou 0ust answer the 5uestion 4y 0a1ing state0ent a4out Kane an2@or !aria Examiners comment Q# +n or2er to a22ress whether Kane or !aria was correct stu2ents were e.pecte2 to 2iscuss the following points= J a state0ent of Newtons First (aw J the velocity of )pollo was changing 7change in 2irection83 hence it was accelerating J a net force 7gravitational force8 was acting on )pollo / $he average score here was / 6@B/ +t is clear that stu2ents are a4le to recall Newtons (aws 4ut were una4le to apply the0 in a particular physical situation/ Few stu2ents 2iscusse2 the net force acting on )pollo or the fact that it was accelerating/

2000 Question 5 .hich one of the following statements :2;<8 best describes the origin of the centripetal force re= ired to +eep 2pollo 11 in its circ lar par+ing orbit0 A. 2pollo 11s acceleration towards Earth B. the roc+et motors of 2pollo 11 C. the speed of 2pollo 11 in its orbit D. the gra(itational field of Earth acting on 2pollo 11
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q$ $his 5uestion is as1ing where is the centripetal force re5uire2 to 1eep the spacecraft in or4it co0ing fro0/ $he only state0ent that answers this 5uestion is ;3 the gravitational fiel2 of the "arth acting on )pollo / Examiners comment Q$ $he origin of the net force nee2e2 to support unifor0 circular 0otion of )pollo is that of the gravitational attraction e.erte2 4y "arth on )pollo / Lence3 state0ent ; was correct/ $he average 0ar1 of 0/59@ was a 2isappointing result for such a si0ple 5uestion/

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

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2pollo 11 then lea(es its par+ing orbit and tra(els to the )oon. 2000 Question 6 .hich one of the following graphs :2;F8 best represents the net gravitational force acting on 2pollo 11 as it tra(els from its par+ing orbit to the )oon0

-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q6 Graph C 4est represents the net force acting on )pollo as it travels fro0 the par1ing or4it to the 0oon/ $he things to 1now woul2 4e the force is not linear3 so C3 " an2 F are out3 when the force fro0 the "arth e5uals the force fro0 the !oon3 the spacecraft will 4e closer to the 0oon then the "arth3 an2 it will not occur half way 4etween the two o46ects/ $his rules out ) an2 ; therefore C is the 0ost reasona4le answer/ Examiners comment Q6 Graph C 4est represents the variation of the net gravitational force acting on )pollo / $he force 2ecreases accor2ing to the inverse s5uare law as )pollo travels away fro0 "arth3 reaching <ero at a point closer to the !oon/ $he 2irection of the force now changes as )pollo [Link] a net force 2irecte2 towar2s the 0oon/ $he 0agnitu2e of this net force again increases as )pollo approaches the !oon/ $he average 0ar1 here was / 9@23 which was reasona4le for what was anticipate2 to 4e a 0ore 2ifficult 5uestion/

2002 Physics

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1999 7ato >>> is a comm nication satellite that has a mass of *1$ +g and orbits Earth at a constant speed at a radi s of ,.%% 1$5 m from the centre of Earth. 1999 Question 1 'alc late the magnit de of Earths gra(itational field at the orbit radi s of 7ato >>>. ?i(e yo r answer to t ree significant figures. @o !ust show yo r wor+ing.

-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Figure 1

Solution Q1 $he gravitational fiel2 strength is 'u4stituting gives 0/22B>96 g=

g=

G!e 2

given 4y

6/69 0: 5/>? 024 = 7 4/22 09 82

g = 0/224 0s:2

Examiners comment Q1 $he 0agnitu2e of "arths gravitational fiel2 calculates out to 0/224 N 1g : / $his re5uire2 a si0ple su4stitution into the fiel2 strength e5uation an2 with an average score of /5@2 a 0a6ority of the stu2ents were a4le to 2o this/ $he vast 0a6ority of stu2ents recognise2 the correct for0ula to use an2 any errors were 2ue to using the incorrect value for the 0ass or 4eing una4le to correctly 0anipulate the 2ata when using the calculator/ ) nu04er of can2i2ates faile2 to answer to three significant figures as re5ueste2 in the 5uestion/

1999 Question 2 .hat is the speed of 7ato >>> in its orbit0

Solution Q $he gravitational fiel2 strength e5uals the acceleration of the satellite/ $hus v2 = 0/224 v = B/09 0 B 0s -

2002 Physics

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Gravity

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Examiners comment Q $he spee2 of Nato +++ calculates to B/ . 0B 0 s: / $his coul2 have 4een achieve2 4y si0ply co04ining the for0ulas of *niversal Gravitation an2 unifor0 circular 0otion/ $he average 0ar1 for this 5uestion was />@B in2icating that the 0a6ority of can2i2ates un2erstoo2 how to 2erive the necessary e5uation an2 then correctly calculate the spee2/ $he e5uation for the spee2 can 4e 2erive2 2irectly an2 0any stu2ents 2i2 so/ Lowever3 it was 2isappointing to note the nu04er of stu2ents who starte2 4y calculating the perio2 of the or4it an2 then 2eter0ining the spee2 in what was a two: step process/ $his latter 0etho2 not only waste2 valua4le e.a0 ti0e 4ut increase2 the li1elihoo2 of an arith0etic error as well/ $his 5uestion also highlighte2 the continuing pro4le0 that 0any stu2ents have when using the calculator to 2eter0ine the value of [Link] with in2ices/

1999 Question 3 .hich one of the following statements :2;<8 abo t 7ato >>> is correct0 A. The net force acting on 7ato >>> is Aero and therefore it does not accelerate. B. The speed is constant and therefore the net force acting on 7ato >>> is Aero. C. There is a net force acting on 7ato >>> and therefore it is accelerating. D. There is a net force acting on 7ato >>>! b t it has Aero acceleration.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q" C +f there was no net force on the satellite it woul2 travel in a straight line rather than or4it/ Examiners comment Q" Nato +++ is travelling in unifor0 circular 0otion an2 hence there is a net force3 provi2e2 4y the gravitational attraction to "arth3 acting towar2s the centre of the or4it 7"arth8/ $hus3 state0ent C was correct/ $he average 0ar1 of /0@2 2e0onstrates that only 50I of can2i2ates correctly un2erstoo2 this concept/

"nergy transfers3 using area un2er force:2istance graph only

G-),+$)$+%N)( P%$"N$+)( "N"-GF )s a 4o2y gets further fro0 the earth3 &g& 2ecreases an2 the [Link] * g = 0gh is no longer a2e5uate/ +f F =

G!0 r2

then the force 2isplace0ent graph is

Force

+f the ra2ius of the earth is re3 then the wor1 2one in raising a 0ass &0& fro0 the surface is given 4y the sha2e2 area/
re

G!0 2r = r2

G!0 re

re

2istance fro0 earth

2002 Physics $he potential energy at

Chapter 6

Gravity
g

Page 55 = 08 an2 since a 4o2y loses D" as it falls *r =

is ar4itrarily ta1en as <ero 7*

towar2s the "arth3 P" at a 2istance &r& fro0 the centre of the earth is

G!0 / r e

$his [Link] 0ust always 4e use2 for large 2istances fro0 the earth/ For a 4o2y falling towar2s the earth3 the su0 of its P" an2 D" is always constant/ M0v2 : Examples

G!0 = constant/ r e

2000 Fig re % shows a graph of the gra(itational force that the & n e1erts on Halleys comet as a f nction of the distance of the comet from the & n.

Figure 2 2000 Question 2 Estimate the increase in +inetic energy of the comet as it tra(els from " :*.$ 1$11 m from the & n8! to # :1.$ 1$11 m from the & n8. &how yo r wor+ing.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q $o 2o this 5uestion you 0ust esti0ate the area un2er the force 2istance graph/ + 2i2 this 4y counting the s5uares un2er the graph 4etween the points B/0 0 0 an2 /0 0 0/ "ach s5uare represents 2/0 020 K/ + counte2 roughly BN s5uares/ #hich 0eans there is roughly 9/5 020 K/ Examiners comment Q $he increase in 1inetic energy was 2eter0ine2 fro0 the area un2er the force:2istance graph 4etween the 2istance values of /0 0 0 an2 B/0 0 0/ $his coul2 4e achieve2 4y esti0ating the area 4y s5uare counting or 4y a suita4le geo0etric appro.i0ation/ $his resulte2 in an increase of 9/5 020 K/ 7values 4etween 9/0 020 K an2 ?/0 020 K were accepte2 as reasona4le appro.i0ations8/

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weight3 apparent weightA 0ass an2 weightA apparent weight as 0easure2 4y nor0al reaction N3 [Link] of weightlessness when N = 0

#"+GL$ )N; )PP)-"N$ #"+GL$

;ou4le:clic1 to activate/ #eightless #eightless2 #eightlessB #eightless4 Mass and %ei&ht Mass an2 wei&ht are 2ifferent 5uantities/ !ass is 2efine2 as the a0ount of 0atter in a 4o2y3 it is 0easure2 in 1ilogra0s/ +t is so0eti0es referre2 to as inertia3 which is the ten2ency for an o46ect to resist acceleration/ 'ince F = 0a3 a larger force is nee2e2 to give a larger 0ass the sa0e acceleration/ #eight is not the sa0e as 0ass/ #eight is the force of gravity on an o46ect/ $he acceleration 2ue to gravity is &g&3 so the weight of a 0ass &0& is given 4y F = 0& 7newtons8/ $he a0ount of 0atter in an o46ect 2oes not change3 hence the 0ass of an o46ect is always the sa0e/ Lowever3 &g& varies fro0 place to place on the earth&s surface 2epen2ing on the 2istance fro0 the centre of the earth3 so weight 2oes change/ Apparent %ei&ht #hen you are accelerating vertically3 the nor0al reaction force on you will not e5ual &0g&3 this will alter your perception of your weight3 you will feel either lighter or heavier/ +f you are travelling at a constant velocity you will feel your usual weight/ $he apparent weight of a person is e5ual in 0agnitu2e to the nor0al force &N& that the supporting surface [Link]/

N # = 0g

F = 0a

F = 0g :N +n this case3 the person is accelerating 2own3 N = 0g : 0a

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Apparent %ei&htlessness $rue weightlessness is only possi4le where the strength of the gravitational fiel2 is <ero3 this is only appro.i0ate2 2eep in space3 a long way fro0 all celestial 4o2ies/ )ny person or o46ect will [Link] apparent weightlessness when they have an acceleration e5ual to that of gravityA ie/ when they are in free fall/ $he person or o46ect will [Link] <ero nor0al force at this ti0e/ $his [Link] why or4iting astronauts are apparently weightless/ Coth they an2 their spacecraft3 2ue to their circular or4it3 have a centripetal acceleration towar2s the centre of the "arth/ $his acceleration is e5ual to the gravitational fiel2 strength at that altitu2e/ $he astronauts are in free fall as they or4it3 an2 the nor0al reaction force acting on the0 is <ero/

Examples !!1

Bn 1% Febr ary %$$1! a spacecraft named the 7E2# &hoema+er landed on Eros! a pean t6 shaped asteroid :pict red8 between the orbits of Earth and )ars. The ,-$ +g spacecraft had a weight of %.- 7 when it landed on the asteroid.

Eros

Question 5 'alc late the weight of this spacecraft on the s rface of Earth.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q$ # = 0g = 450 >/? = 44 0N = 4/4 0B N

Cefore landing on Eros! the spacecraft orbited at a radi s of -$ +m from the centre of mass of Eros! with a period of -.9 1$, s :abo t 16 ho rs8. Question 6 Find the mass of Eros from this information.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

2002 Physics

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Solution Q6 $he satellite was in a sta4le circular or4it/

G!0 r
2

0v 2 r
2

'ince v = 2r@$3 then

4 E0r 4E0r 2 0v 2 4eco0es = r $2 r$ 2

1g

G!0 r

4 E0r $
2

!=

4 Er B G$ 2

4 E750 0 B 8 B 6/69 0 75/> 0 4 8 2

= 6/9 0 5

Question " Bn the diagram below! draw one or more labelled arrows to show any force:s8 acting on the spacecraft as it orbits Eros. @o can ignore any other astronomical bodies.

-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q' 'ince the spacecraft was in a sta4le or4it3 the net force 0ust 4e acting ra2ially inwar2s/ $his is the only force acting/

1999 The # ssian space station! )># :# ssian meaning! peace8! is in a circ lar orbit aro nd Earth at a height where the gra(itational field strength is 8.5 7 +g61. 1999 Question 4 'alc late the magnit de of the gra(itational force e1erted by Earth on an astrona t of mass 68 +g on board )>#.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q# 5>2 N Force = 0g so the force is 6? . ?/9 = 5>2 N O5/> . 02 NP in other wor2s3 the astronaut&s weightQ !a1e sure that you use the value for g 7given as ?/9 N 1g : 3 not >/? N 1g: 8

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

Page 5>

Examiners comment Q# )pplication of the for0ula F = 0g resulte2 in a gravitational force of 5>2 N/ $he average score here was /4@23 4ut it was 2isappointing to note that B0I of can2i2ates score2 <ero for this 5uestion/ +t was of concern to note the nu04er of stu2ents who trie2 to solve this 5uestion 4y using the law of *niversal Gravitation rather than the 0ore 2irect 0etho2/ )nother co00on error was to ta1e g as >/? N 1g : rather than the given value of ?/9 N 1g: /

.hen the astrona t wishes to rest he has to lie down and strap himself into bed. 1999 Question 5 .hat is the magnit de of the force that the bed e1erts on the astrona t before he begins to fasten the strap0
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solutions Q$ 0N Force will 4e <ero since !+- an2 the astronaut are 4oth in state of free fall/ $he astronaut an2 the space station are 4oth accelerating at the sa0e rate3 hence there is no contact force 4etween the0/ $he 4e2 2oes not [Link] a force on the astronaut/ Examiners comment Q$ $he astronaut an2 the space station are 4oth accelerating at the sa0e rate an2 hence there is no contact force 4etween the0/ Lence3 the 4e2 2oes not [Link] a force on the astronaut/ $he average 0ar1 of 0/>@2 in2icates that a4out only 45I of can2i2ates correctly un2erstoo2 this concept/

7ewspaper articles abo t astrona ts in orbit sometimes spea+ abo t Aero gra(ity when describing weightlessness. 1999 Question 6 E1plain why the astrona t in the orbiting )># is not really weightless.
-epro2uce2 4y per0ission of the ,ictorian Curriculu0 an2 )ssess0ent )uthority3 ,ictoria3 )ustralia/

Solution Q6 $he astronaut is not weightless 4ecause the "arth is still attracting hi0@her/ $he astronaut still has weight3 since # = 0g is the gravitational force applie2 to the astronaut 4y the "arth/ +n this situation g is not <ero/ $he weight force is 0erely provi2ing the re5uire2 force to travel in the circular or4it/ $he lac1 of reaction force fro0 his@her environ0ent results in an &apparent weight& of <ero/ Examiners comment Q6 +n or2er to [Link] why the astronaut is not really weightless stu2ents nee2e2 to a22ress these points= $he astronaut actually has weight3 since # = 0g/ +n this situation3 g is not <ero #eightlessness refers to apparent weight3 which is the value of the contact force 2iscusse2 in the previous 5uestion/

2002 Physics

Chapter 6

Gravity

Page 60

$he average 0ar1 here was /5@B3 an2 the 0ain pro4le0 note2 was the nu04er of stu2ents who 2evote2 their answer to a 2iscussion of RweightlessnessS rather than si0ply a22ressing why the astronaut 2oes have weight/