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Gravitational fields

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Question 1
a.

The diagram below shows Mars in space.

A single circle representing Mars in space.

On the diagram above, draw a minimum of four gravitational field lines to map out the gravitational field pattern around Mars.

[1]
b.

On the same diagram, show two different points where the gravitational potential is the same. Label these points PPP and QQQ.

[1]
c.

A satellite is in a circular areostationary (Mars-synchronous) orbit around the centre of Mars. The satellite has both kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.

The mass of the satellite is 1200 kg1200\text{ kg}1200 kg and the radius of its circular orbit is 2.04×107 m2.04 \times 10^7\text{ m}2.04×107 m. The mass of Mars is 6.42×1023 kg6.42 \times 10^{23}\text{ kg}6.42×1023 kg.

  • Describe some of the features of an areostationary orbit.
  • Calculate the total energy of the satellite in its areostationary orbit.
[6]

Gravitational fields Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Gravitational fields