AQA, Edexcel
A Level
A Level Physics
Gravitational Fields 2 (Answers)
Total Marks:/30
, 1. The graph below shows the variation of the orbital period squared with the radius cubed for Jupiter’s
moons.
Total for Question 1: 10
(a) Define a gravitati onal field. [1]
Solution: A region where a mass experiences a force.
G 2 [4]
(b) By equating the centripetal force and the gravitational force on a planet, show that T 2 = 4π r3.
2
Solution: mv =
r
→ v2
GmM
r2
GM
r 2πr
Since the planet is assu m e =
d to be moving in a circle, v = T
4πr23
Combining gives: T 2 = GM
A Level
A Level Physics
Gravitational Fields 2 (Answers)
Total Marks:/30
, 1. The graph below shows the variation of the orbital period squared with the radius cubed for Jupiter’s
moons.
Total for Question 1: 10
(a) Define a gravitati onal field. [1]
Solution: A region where a mass experiences a force.
G 2 [4]
(b) By equating the centripetal force and the gravitational force on a planet, show that T 2 = 4π r3.
2
Solution: mv =
r
→ v2
GmM
r2
GM
r 2πr
Since the planet is assu m e =
d to be moving in a circle, v = T
4πr23
Combining gives: T 2 = GM
