Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Gravitational potential

Gravitational potential — practice question

(a(i))[1]

Define gravitational field clearly.

(a(ii))[1]

Define electric field clearly.

(a(iii))[2]

State a similarity and a difference between the gravitational potential from a point mass and the electric potential from a point charge.

(b(i))[3]

A uniform isolated conducting sphere has mass $M$ and charge $Q$. At its surface, the gravitational field strength is $g$, and the electric field strength is $E$. Show that $\frac{M}{Q} = \alpha \frac{g}{E}$, where $\alpha$ is a constant.

(b(ii))[1]

Show that $\alpha$ has the numerical value $1.35 \times 10^{20}\,\text{kg}^2\,\text{C}^{-2}$.

(c(i))[2]

Treat the Earth as a uniform conducting sphere with mass $5.98 \times 10^{24}\,\text{kg}$. Its surface carries an evenly spread charge of $-4.80 \times 10^5\,\text{C}$. Use the result in (b) to determine the electric field strength at the Earth's surface. State a unit with your answer.

(c(ii))[1]

State how the direction of the electric field at the Earth's surface compares with that of the gravitational field.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: force per unit mass on a test mass

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