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Gravitational fields (A-level only)

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Question 27

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

Gravitational fields (A-level only) Questions

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