Two spacecraft, X X\,X and YYY, are in stable circular orbits around a planet of mass MMM. Spacecraft X X\,X has a mass of 3m and orbits at a radius of RRR. Spacecraft Y Y\,Y has a mass of m m\,m and orbits at a radius of 3R3R3R.
Which of the following physical quantities is greater for spacecraft Y Y\,Y than for spacecraft XXX?
Kinetic energy of the spacecraft
Gravitational potential energy of the spacecraft
Linear speed of the spacecraft
Gravitational force exerted on the spacecraft by the planet
52 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Gravitational fields (A-level only), covering Newton's law (A-level only), Gravitational field strength (A-level only), Gravitational potential (A-level only), and Orbits of planets and satellites (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.