Phobos is a small moon in a circular orbit around Mars at an altitude of 6000 km above the surface of Mars. The gravitational field strength of Mars at its surface is 3.72 N kg\(^{-1}\). The radius of Mars is 3390 km. --- 5 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) --- --- 7 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) --- --- 5 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
PHYSICS, M5 2023 VCE 3 MC
Space scientists want to place a satellite into a circular orbit where the gravitational field strength of Earth is half of its value at Earth's surface.
Which one of the following expressions best represents the altitude of this orbit above Earth's surface, where \(R\) is the radius of Earth?
- \(\dfrac{\sqrt{2} R}{2}-R\)
- \(\sqrt{2} R\)
- \((\sqrt{2} R)-R\)
- \(2 R-\sqrt{2} R\)
PHYSICS, M5 2023 HSC 23a
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has a mass of 6.1 × 10³ kg and orbits the Sun at a distance of approximately 1.52 × 10\(^{11}\) m. The Sun has a mass of 1.99 × 10\(^{30}\) kg. Calculate the magnitude of gravitational force the Sun exerts on the JWST. (2 marks) --- 4 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
PHYSICS, M5 2023 HSC 1 MC
The gravitational field strength acting on a spacecraft decreases as its altitude increases.
This is due to a change in the
- mass of Earth.
- mass of the spacecraft.
- density of the atmosphere.
- distance of the spacecraft from Earth's centre.
PHYSICS, M5 EQ-Bank 21
Planet `X` has a mass eight times that of Earth. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of this planet is half that on the surface of Earth.
If Earth has a radius of 1, what is the radius of Planet `X` ? (3 marks)
PHYSICS, M5 2015 HSC 19 MC
An astronaut working outside a spacecraft in orbit around Earth is not attached to it.
Why does the astronaut NOT drift away from the spacecraft?
- The force of gravity acting on the astronaut and spacecraft is negligible.
- The spacecraft and the astronaut are in orbit around the Sun with the Earth.
- The forces due to gravity acting on both the astronaut and the spacecraft are the same.
- The accelerations of the astronaut and the spacecraft are inversely proportional to their respective masses.
PHYSICS, M5 2015 HSC 11 MC
Which of the following diagrams correctly represents the force(s) acting on a satellite in a stable circular orbit around Earth?
PHYSICS, M7 2016 HSC 28
The following diagram shows the acceleration of a rocket during the first stage of its launch.
Explain the acceleration of the rocket with reference to the law of conservation of momentum. (5 marks)
PHYSICS, M5 2016 HSC 25
Two teams carried out independent experiments with the purpose of investigating Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. Each team used the same procedure to accurately measure the gravitational force acting between two spherical masses over a range of distances.
The following graphs show the data collected by each team.
- Compare qualitatively the relationship between force and distance in the graphs. (2 marks)
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- Assess the appropriateness of Team A's data and Team B's data in achieving the purpose of the experiments. (3 marks)
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PHYSICS, M5 2016 HSC 21
- Why does orbital decay occur more rapidly for satellites in a low-Earth orbit than for satellites in other orbits? (2 marks)
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- Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force that acts on a 50 kg satellite when it is 8000 km from Earth's centre. (3 marks)
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PHYSICS, M5 2016 HSC 17 MC
A projectile was launched horizontally inside a lift in a building. The diagram shows the path of the projectile when the lift was stationary.
The projectile was launched again with the same velocity. At this time, the lift was slowing down as it approached the top floor of the building.
Which diagram correctly shows the new path of the projectile (dotted line) relative to the path created in the stationary lift (solid line)?
PHYSICS, M5 2017 HSC 4 MC
An astronaut with a mass of 75 kg lands on Planet X where her weight is 630 N.
What is the acceleration due to gravity (in `text{m s}^(-2)`) on Planet X ?
- 0.12
- 8.4
- 9.8
- 735
PHYSICS, M5 2018 HSC 21
- Compare the force of gravity exerted on the moon by Earth with the force of gravity exerted on Earth by the moon. (2 marks)
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- The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is `1.6 \ text{m s}^(-2)` and on Earth it is `9.8 \ text{m s}^(-2)`. Quantitatively compare the mass and weight of a 70 kg person on the moon and on Earth. (2 marks)
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PHYSICS, M5 2018 HSC 7 MC
A planet `X` has twice the mass and twice the radius of Earth.
What is the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration close to the surface of planet `X`?
- `(1)/(2) g`
- `1\ g`
- `2\ g`
- `4\ g`
PHYSICS, M5 2018 HSC 1 MC
A satellite orbits Earth as shown.
Which diagram correctly shows the direction of the satellite's acceleration?
PHYSICS, M6 2020 HSC 33
A strong magnet of mass 0.04 kg falls 0.78 m under the action of gravity from position `X` above a hollow copper cylinder. It then travels a distance of 0.20 m through the cylinder from `Y` to `Z` before falling freely again.
The magnet takes 0.5 seconds to pass through the cylinder. The displacement-time graph of the magnet is shown.
Analyse the motion of the magnet by applying the law of conservation of energy.
Your analysis should refer to gravity and the copper cylinder, and include both qualitative and quantitative information. (9 marks)
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PHYSICS M5 2022 HSC 35
A capsule travels around the International Space Station (ISS) in a circular path of radius 200 m as shown.
Analyse this system to test the hypothesis below. (5 marks)
The uniform circular motion of the capsule around the ISS can be accounted for in terms of the gravitational force between the capsule and the ISS.
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PHYSICS M6 2022 HSC 18 MC
A charged oil droplet was observed between metal plates, as shown.
While the switch was open, the oil droplet moved downwards at a constant speed. After the switch was closed, the oil droplet moved upwards at the same constant speed.
Assume that the only three forces that may act on the oil droplet are the force of gravity, the force due to the electric field and the frictional force between the air and the oil droplet. The magnitudes of these forces are `F_G` (due to gravity), `F_E` (due to the electric field) and `F_F` (due to the frictional force).
Which row of the table shows all the forces affecting the motion of the oil droplet in the direction indicated, and the relationship between these forces?
PHYSICS, M6 2021 HSC 27
A student is considering how to levitate a thin metal rod in a strong magnetic field of 1.2 T. The current flowing through the rod will be 2.3 A.
- Use a labelled diagram to show a suitable orientation of the current and the magnetic field to achieve this outcome. Include relevant forces in your diagram. (3 marks)
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- Explain why the maximum mass per unit length of the rod cannot exceed 0.282 kg `text{m}^(-1)`. Support your answer with a calculation. (3 marks)
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PHYSICS, M5 2021 HSC 14 MC
Which of the following statements correctly describes the gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon?
- The Earth accelerates towards the Moon.
- The net force acting on the Earth is zero.
- The Moon and Earth experience equal and opposite accelerations.
- The force acting on the Moon is smaller than the force acting on the Earth.