Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Gravitational force between point masses
Gravitational force between point masses — practice question
(a)[2]
State Newton’s law of gravitation in words.
(b)
A geostationary satellite circles the Earth. Its orbit is circular, and the orbital period is 24 hours.
(b(i))[2]
State two additional features of this orbit.
(b(ii))[4]
The satellite’s orbital radius is $4.23 \times 10^4\,\text{km}$. Determine a value for the mass of the Earth. Explain your working.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “force is proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the separation” …