An exploratory scientific probe of mass 1500 kg1500\text{ kg}1500 kg is in a circular orbit around Mars at a radius of 5.0×106 m5.0 \times 10^6\text{ m}5.0×106 m. Mission control uses thrusters to move the probe to a new, higher circular orbit of radius 1.5×107 m1.5 \times 10^7\text{ m}1.5×107 m.
What is the total change in the gravitational potential energy of the probe?
[Mass of Mars MMars=6.42×1023 kgM_{\text{Mars}} = 6.42 \times 10^{23}\text{ kg}MMars=6.42×1023 kg, 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]
−8.56×109 J-8.56 \times 10^9\text{ J}−8.56×109 J
−4.28×109 J-4.28 \times 10^9\text{ J}−4.28×109 J
4.28×109 J4.28 \times 10^9\text{ J}4.28×109 J
8.56×109 J8.56 \times 10^9\text{ J}8.56×109 J
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.