An unpowered space probe is approaching an isolated interstellar body YYY. The gravitational field of YYY increases the kinetic energy of the space probe as it travels from position CCC to position DDD.
The table below shows the distance of the space probe from the centre of mass of YYY and its speed for the two positions:
| Position | Distance from centre of mass of YYY / m\text{m}m | Speed of space probe / m s−1\text{m s}^{-1}m s−1 |
|---|---|---|
| CCC | 8.0×1068.0 \times 10^68.0×106 | 1.2×1031.2 \times 10^31.2×103 |
| DDD | 2.5×1052.5 \times 10^52.5×105 | 1.6×1031.6 \times 10^31.6×103 |
The space probe has a mass of 3.6×104 kg3.6 \times 10^4 \text{ kg}3.6×104 kg. Calculate the mass of YYY.
Use G=6.67×10−11 N m2 kg−2G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11} \text{ N m}^2 \text{ kg}^{-2}G=6.67×10−11 N m2 kg−2.
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.