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JC1 Physics 2006

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JC1 H2 PHYSICS 2010

Chapter 8: Gravitational Field
Tutorial Solutions (Tutor’s Version)

Section A: Review of Concepts

This section helps you to consolidate your learning for this chapter.
Complete the following summary of concepts before attempting the tutorial questions; all
answers can be found in your lecture notes.

1. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation states that every particle in the Universe attracts
every other particle with a force of magnitude that is directly proportional to the product of their
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Gm1m2
F=
r2

where G = universal gravitational constant

m1, m2 = masses of the two particles
r = distance between the particles

2. The value of G is experimentally determined to be 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2.

3. Gravitational force is an attractive force and the gravitational force exerted by a mass on
another mass is always directed towards the mass itself.

4. Gravitational field strength (g) at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the

gravitational force per unit mass acting on a body placed at that point.

F GM
g= =− 2
m r

5. Gravitational potential energy U of a mass m, in a gravitational field created by another

mass M, is the work done by an external force in bringing that mass from infinity to that point
without acceleration.

GMm
U =−
r

6. Gravitational potential ( φ ) at a point in a gravitational field created by a mass M, is the

work done per unit mass, by an external force in bringing a test mass from infinity to that point
without acceleration.
U GM
φ = =−
m r

dU
7. Relationship between F and U: F =−
dr
1
 dφ
8. Relationship between g and φ : g=−
dr

9. At infinity, the gravitational potential is maximum, and it has a value zero. This explains
why the potential energies of a point mass at all other distances are negative.

10. The area under the graph of the gravitational field strength versus distance is the change in
gravitational potential, i.e., the work done to move unit mass from one point in the field to
another.

11. The area under the graph of the gravitational force versus distance is the change in
gravitational potential energy, i.e., the work done to move a point mass from one point in the
field to another.

12. The minimum speed which a mass should be launched from a planet’s surface in order to
escape the planet’s gravitation field is known as the escape speed.

13. The gravitational force of the Earth provides the centripetal force for the satellite’s circular
motion.

14. The centripetal acceleration of an orbiting satellite is equal to the gravitational field strength
at the radius of the orbit.

15. An orbiting satellite possesses both kinetic and gravitational potential energies.

1 1 GM
Kinetic energy EK = mv 2 =
2 2 r
GMm
Gravitational potential energy EP (or U) = −
r
1 GMm
Total energy ET = −
2 r

16. A geostationary satellite is a satellite in a geostationary orbit, and it is always positioned

over the same geographical spot on Earth.

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Section B: Problem Solving

Gravitational Force

1. Two small spheres of mass 4.0 kg and M kg are placed 80 cm apart. If the gravitational force
on point mass m is zero at a point 20 cm from the 4 kg mass along the line between the two
masses, calculate the value of M. [Ans: 36 kg]

Students’ Thinking Box:

a) What are the units of the entities in the gravitational force formula?
b) What are the gravitational forces experienced by m?
c) Why is the gravitational force on m zero?

Suggested Solution:

4.0 kg F4 m kg FM M kg

80 cm
20 cm

Resultant gravitational force on mass m = 0 N,

Hence, F4 = FM
G(4.0)( m ) GMm
2
=
(0.20) (0.60)2
Solving, M = 36 kg

2. When on the surface of a planet of radius r, an object experiences a force of F due to gravity.
What is the force due to gravity when the object is moved to a point distance r/3 above the
surface?

A 0F B 0.56F C 1.00F D 1.77F

Students’ Thinking Box:

a) If the source mass is constant, try solving problems using the proportional
method – saves a lot of time and reduce chances of calculation errors.

3
 Suggested Solution: B
Reasoning:
Since the source mass (planet) is the same in both cases,
1
F ∝− 2
r
Ff ri 2
∴ = 2
Fi rf
Ff r2
=
F (r + r / 3) 2
Ff 9
=
F 16
9
Ff = F ≈ 0 .56F
16

3. Three spherical objects, m1, m2 and m3 having a mass of 0.300 kg each are placed on a table
at the corners of a right triangle, as shown below. Calculate the resultant gravitational force on
m1, resulting from the other two objects. [Ans: 7.65 x 10-11 N, θ = 29.3º]

m2

0.500 m
0.400 m

m1 0.300 m m3

Students’ Thinking Box:

b) What are the gravitational forces experienced by m1?
c) Should I consider the gravitational force between m2 and m3?
d) Must the resultant gravitational force on m1 directed to either m1 or m3?

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Suggested Solution:

Ball m1 is acted on by two forces:

F21 : Gravitational force exerted by m2 on m1
F31 : Gravitational force exerted by m3 on m1

By Newton’s Law of Gravitation,

m1m2
F21 = G 2
= 3.75 × 10−11 N F21
r21 F31

Similarly, m1
m1m3
F31 = G 2
= 6.67 × 10−11 N (6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2) = 6.67 x 10-11 N
r31

The resultant gravitational force is found by adding F21 and F31 vectorially:
The magnitude of the resultant force is given by

( F21 ) + ( F31 ) = 7.65 × 10−11 N = = 7.65 x 10-11 N

2 2
F=

Find the direction of F.

3.75 × 10 −11
tanθ =
6.67 × 10 −11
θ = 29.3°

The vector F makes an angle of 29.3o with the line joining m1 and m3.

Gravitational Field Strength

4. The acceleration due to gravity at the Earth’s surface is 9.81 m s-2. Calculate the acceleration
due to gravity on a planet which has
(a) the same mass and twice the radius,
(b) the same radius and twice the density, and
(c) half the radius and twice the density.
[Ans: (a) 2.45 m s-2, (b) 19.6 m s-2, (c) 9.8 m s-2]

Students’ Thinking Box:

a) How is acceleration due to gravity related to g?
b) What is the equation to calculate g?
c) What are the relationships between mass, density and radius?

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Suggested Solution:

Quantities with subscript p represent parameters for planets.

Quantities with subscript E represent parameters for Earth.

(a) Same mass, twice radius (rp = 2rE)

GM p
gp =
rp 2
GME
=
(2rE )2
1 GME
=
4 rE 2
1
= (9.81) = 2.45 m s−2
4

(b) the same radius and twice the density

GM p
gp =
rp 2
G ρ pVp
=
rE 2
G(2 ρ E )VE
=
rE 2
GME
=2
rE 2
= 19.6 m s −2

(c) half the radius and twice the density

GM p G ρ pVp
gp = 2
= 1 2
rp ( 2 rE )

4 1 4
Also, Vp = πr3 =
π ( rE )3
3 3 2
1 4  1
=  π rE 3  = VE
83  8

Substituting to gp,

G(2 ρE ) 81 VE G ρEVE
gp = 2 => g p = = 9.81 m s−2
1
4 rE rE 2

6
5. What is the strength of the gravitational field half-way between two masses if the
masses have values 5.0 kg and 10 kg and are 1.0 m apart?

A 1.33 x 10-9 N kg-1, towards the 5.0 kg mass

B 1.33 x 10-9 N kg-1, towards the 10 kg mass
C 6.67 x 10-10 N kg-1, towards the 5.0 kg mass
D 6.67 x 10-10 N kg-1, towards the 10 kg mass

Students’ Thinking Box:

d) Assign directions to respective g.
e) Use the correct formula to calculate g.
f) Find resultant or net g.

Suggested Solution: B
Reasoning:
Find magnitude of resultant g.
G(10)
g10 = = 40G
(0.50) 2
G(5.0)
g5 = = 20G
(0.50)2
g R = g 5 − g10 = −20G = −1.33 × 10 −9 N kg -1

Direction of g = towards 10 kg mass

6. (a) The Earth may be considered to be uniform sphere of radius 6378 km, spinning on its axis
along the poles with a period of 24.0 hours. A 2.00 kg mass is suspended from a spring
balance at the Equator and another similar 2.00 kg mass is suspended from a spring balance
situated at the North Pole.

(i) Determine the reading of the spring balance at the equator and at the pole. Explain why the
values are different.
(ii) In reality, the Earth is not a uniform sphere. Discuss how this and the Earth’s rotation affect
the value of the gravitational field strength at the Equator and near the poles.

(b) A student reads about a space shuttle orbiting at a distance of 300 km above the Earth
surface.

(i) Determine the speed linear speed of the shuttle as it orbits around Earth and its
centripetal acceleration.
(ii) He finds out that the astronauts in the space shuttle are ‘floating’ and cannot keep
contact with the floor of the shuttle. He decides that “The astronauts are floating
because they have escaped Earth’s gravitational field and there is no gravitational force
on them”. Explain if the student’s statement is valid. Given that the mass of Earth is
approximately 6.0 x 1024 kg.

[Ans: a(i) 19.62 N, 19.55 N]

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 Students’ Thinking Box:
a) The reading on the spring balance is given by the tension of the spring
inside the balance.
b) Readings of the spring balance are different owing to the Earth’s rotation.
With this info, can you write down appropriate expressions and solve the
problem.
c) In Forces and Dynamics, we come across apparent weightlessness. How
do we achieve such weightlessness? Can you recall?

Suggested Solution:

(i) The reading on the spring balance is given by the tension of the spring inside the balance. Let
the tension in the spring balance be T.

GMm
At the poles, Fg = = mg
RE 2
mg − Tpole = 0
Tpole = 2.00 × 9.81
= 19.62 N

At the equator,
mg − Tequator = mr ω 2
Tequator = mg − mr ω 2
4π 2
= 2.00 (9.81 − 6378 ×10 3 × )
( 24 × 3600 ) 2
= 19 .55 N

Reading on the balance shows apparent weight at the equator. At the equator, because of the
rotation of the earth, the mass is undergoing circular motion hence the gravitational force on the
mass helps to provide for the centripetal force to keep it in circular motion. The mass directly at the
pole is not undergoing circular motion, hence reading of the scale is equal to its actual weight at
the pole.

(ii) Due to the earth’s rotation, some of the gravitational force, provides centripetal force, keeping
the masses and the earth moving in a circular motion.

Wapparent Fg
g apparent = = − rω 2
m m

Since the Earth is not a perfect sphere, r (the radius=distance to the center of the earth) increases
as we move towards the equator, and therefore gapparent will get smaller.

At the poles, there is effectively no rotation ( rω 2 = 0 )

Fg
Therefore at the poles: g ≈
m

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(b) (i)
M Em v2
G = m
r2 r
ME 6 ×1024
v= G = G
r 6678 ×103
= 7741 ms-1 = 7 740 ms-1

v2 77402
acceleration = = = 8.97 ms-2
r 6678 ×10 3

(ii) g on the surface of the earth = 9.83 ms-2

g due to Earth at 300 km above Earth surface = 8.97 ms-2

There is only 8% difference in the value of the field strength at 300 km orbit height. The space
shuttle and the astronauts have not escaped Earth’s gravitational field.

The space shuttle and the astronauts are free falling around earth while it is orbiting. The
astronauts and space shuttle have the same acceleration (=g), therefore

For an astronaut ‘standing’ on the shuttle ; mg − N = ma

mg − N = mg ⇒N=0

Therefore there is ‘apparent weightlessness’, the astronaut is not truly weightless.

Gravitational Potential Energy and Gravitational Potential

7. Assume G = 6.7 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2 and the Earth has mass M = 6.0 x 1024 kg and radius r = 6.4
x 106 m.
(a) Find the gravitational potential at the Earth’s surface.
(b) At what distance from the centre of the Earth does the gravitational potential fall to one-half
of this value?
(c) What is the maximum potential that an object can gain as a result of moving a large
distance from the Earth?
[Ans: (a) -6.3 x 107 J kg-1, (b) 1.3 x 107 m, (c) 6.3 x 107 J kg-1]

Students’ Thinking Box:

a) What is gravitational potential φ ?
b) What is the equation to calculate φ ?
c) How does φ varies with distance?

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Suggested Solution:

GM
(a) φ = −
r
(6.7 × 10 −11 )(6.0 × 10 24 )
φ =− = −62.8 × 106 ≈ −63 × 106 Jkg −1(2sf )
6.4 × 10 6

(b) Method 1:
GM
−63 × 106 ÷ 2 = −
r
r = 12.76 × 10 m ≈ 13 × 10 6 m
6

OR

Method 2:
1
Since φ ∝
r
φ r 21
=
φ1 r
2

r 1 = 13 × 106 m
2

(c) ∆φmax = φ∞ − φsurface

= 0 − ( −63 × 106 ) = 63 × 10 6 Jkg −1

8. The figure below shows the gravitational equipotential surfaces near the Earth. The radius of
Earth is 6.4 x 106 m and the gravitational field strength at its surface is 9.81 N kg-1.

C

B
 A

The gravitational potential at point A is -6.0 x 107 J kg-1 and that at point B is -5.5 x 107 J kg-1.
Calculate
(a) the height of point A above the surface of Earth,
(b) the potential energy of a 0.10 kg mass at point C,
(c) the work that must be done on the 0.10 kg mass to move from
(i) A to B.
(ii) B to C.
[Ans: (a) 290 km, (b) -5.5 MJ], (c)(i) 0.5 MJ, (c)(ii) 0 J]
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 Students’ Thinking Box:
a) What is a gravitational equipotential?
b) Is there work done when mass move on a gravitational equipotential?
c) When there is movement of mass between equipotentials, is there a
change in gravitational potential energy?

Suggested Solution:
(a)
GM gR 2
φA = − =− E
rA rA
(9.81)(6.4 x 106 )2
−6.0 × 107 = −
r
r = 6.69 × 106 m

Height of point A above surface of Earth = 6.69 x 106 – 6.4 x 106 = 290 km

(b)
GM
φB = −
rB
(6.67 × 10−11 )(6.0 × 10 24 )
−5.5 × 107 = −
r
r = 7.29 × 10 m
6

GMm
UC = −
r
(6.67 × 10 −11 )(6.0 × 10 24 )(0.10)
=−
7.29 × 106
= −5.5 MJ

(c)(i) From A to B,
Work done = m(φB − φA ) = 0.10[ −5.5 × 107 − ( −6.0 × 107 )] = 0.5 MJ

(ii) From B to C,
Work done = m(φC − φB ) = 0.10[ −5.5 × 107 − ( −5.5 × 107 )] = 0 J

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