Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to end-of-chapter questions

Answers to EOC questions

Chapter 18
1 F = GMm
[1]
2
r
11
2
6.6710
0.020 
=
2
0.005

[1]

= 1.1109N

[1]

2 a
Arrow vertically downwards labelled weight
or Earths gravitational pull
[1]
Arrow to right labelled pull of mountain [1]
11
12
Gm m
b F = 12 2 = 6.6710 0.0203.810

2
r
1200

[1]

= 3.5106N
[1]
c Earths force F = mg = 0.0209.8 = 0.196N [1]
which is 5.6104 times as large
[1]
3 a
Arrows towards the Earth
[1]
b For a rise of 10000m, the Earths field may be
considered to be uniform,
[1]
but when something moves a significant
distance away from the Earth we must
recognise that there is a significant reduction
in the field.
[1]
4 a
Mass of Mercury = 43 r3density
[1]
23

= 3.28610 kg
[1]
GM
g at surface = 2 [1]
r

= 3.68 3.7Nkg1[1]
b weight = mg = 9003.68
[1]

= 338 340N
[1]
5 Distance from centre of Mars
=3.4106+20106 = 23.4106km
[1]
Potential energy = GMm
[1]
r
11
23
250 
= 6.6710 6.410
6

[1]

= 4.6108J

[1]

23.410

2
6 a
r3 = GMT2 = 9.541022m3[1]

r = 4.6107m
[1]
b The proximity of the very large planet,
Jupiter, would disrupt the orbit, through its
gravitational pull.
[1]
7 a
Circumference of orbit = 2r = 21.51011
=9.421011m
[1]

11
9.4210
=
Speed = circumference
length of year 365243600 [1]

= 2.99104 3.0104ms1[1]
2

4 2

b a = r = (2.991011) 
[1]
1.510
3
2
= 5.96 6.010 ms [1]
c The Suns gravitational pull provides the
centripetal acceleration
so g = 5.96 6.0103Nkg1[1]

8 a i g = GM
[1]
2
r
2
g = 3.70 3.7ms [1]
[1]
ii = GM
r
7
7
1
= 1.2610 1.310 Jkg [1]
[1]
b 1.3107J
2
7
[1]
c Use v = 2 = 21.2610 
1
1
v = 5019ms linked to 5000ms [1]
d The work done in lifting the mass of a Mars
probe from the Earth is very large
[1]
so requires very powerful rocket to do it all in
one go.
[1]

9 a
Work done to bring unit mass
from infinity to that point

[1]
[1]

r
ii
i

2R

b i Dashed line in diagram: same radius but

depth 2 times original
[1]
outside original well
[1]
ii Bold line on diagram: goes along the
present lines
[1]
but stops at twice the radius.
[1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014

Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to end-of-chapter questions

c Curve ii[1]
Smaller hill to get up
[1]
GM
d Using = r once
[1]
Using = GM
a second time
r

(1 1)

[1]

(Using = GM r r scores both marks)

2
1
Correct substitution
[1]
Energy required = 1.86106J[1]
10

a Force per unit mass
[1]
at the point
[1]
Gm1m2
b F = 2 
[1]
r
Correct substitution
[1]
18
F = 3.3010 N
[1]
mr
c Development of T = 2 F [1]
Correct substitution
[1]
T = 5.60105s
[1]
d Otherwise they would lose stability in their
orbits (or words to that effect).
[1]

11 a 0.8Nkg1 (accept range 0.1)

[1]
2
(must be numerically equal to a)[1]
b 0.8ms
2
v
[1]
c a = r leading to v2 = ar
1
v = 3920 3900ms [1]
d i Path spiralling into the centre
[1]
ii Work done against friction in the
atmosphere causes heating
[1]
causing satellite to burn up.
[1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014