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1. Which one of the following graphs best represents the (ii) Calculate the speed of the Space Shuttle

variation of the kinetic energy, KE, and of the gravitational whilst in orbit. [2]

potential energy, GPE, of an orbiting satellite at a distance r

(iii) Calculate the energy needed to put the

from the centre of the Earth?

Space Shuttle into orbit. [2]

A. B.
ygrene

ygrene
b) (i) What forces, if any, act on the astronauts

inside the Space Shuttle whilst in orbit? [1]

KE KE
(ii) Explain why astronauts aboard the Space

0 0 Shuttle feel weightless. [2]

r r

c) Imagine an astronaut 2 m outside the exterior walls of the

GPE GPE

Space Shuttle, and 10 m from the centre of mass of the

Space Shuttle. By making appropriate assumptions and

C. D.
ygrene

ygrene
approximations, calculate how long it would take for this
GPE

astronaut to be pulled back to the Space Shuttle by the

force of gravity alone. [7]

KE

0 0 5. a) The diagram below shows a planet of mass M and radius R

p

r r

KE

GPE R
p

M
R

2. The diagram below illustrates some equipotential lines

between two charged parallel metal plates.

+ + + +
The gravitational potential V due to the planet at point X

distance R from the centre of the planet is given by

80 V GM
_
V = -

60 V

where G is the universal gravitational constant.

0.1 m

40 V

Show that the gravitational potential V can be expressed as

20 V 2

g R
0 p

_
V = -

- - - -

where g is the acceleration of free-fall at the

0

surface of the planet. [3]

The electric eld strength between the plates is

1 1
b) The graph below shows how the gravitational potential V

A. 6 NC C. 600 NC

due to the planet varies with distance R from the centre

1 1

B. 8 NC D. 800 NC

of the planet for values of R greater than R , where

p

R = 2.5 × 10 m.
p

3. The diagram shows equipotential lines due to two objects

6
R/10 m

5 10 15
1

0
gk J

1
object 2 object 1

2
6
01/V

The two objects could be

A. electric charges of the same sign only.

8

9
B. masses only.

10

C. electric charges of opposite sign only.

Use the data from the graph to

D. masses or electric charges of any sign. [1]

(i) determine a value of g . [2]

4. The Space Shuttle orbits about 300 km above the surface of 0

the Earth. The shape of the orbit is circular, and the mass of (ii) show that the minimum energy required to

the Space Shuttle is 6.8 × 10 kg. The mass of the Earth is raise a satellite of mass 3000 kg to a height

24 6 6

6.0 × 10 kg, and radius of the Earth is 6.4 × 10 m. 3.0 × 10 m above the surface of the planet

10

is about 1.7 × 10 J. [3]

a) (i) Calculate the change in the Space Shuttle’s

gravitational potential energy between its

launch and its arrival in orbit. [3]

i B Q u e s t i o n s – f i e l d s