FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS

CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

3.1 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation Example 3

Gravitational Force A rocket at a launching pad experiences a gravitational force of

1.35 x 108 N. What is the mass of the rocket?
1. Two objects or bodies in the universe will put on force [ Mass of the Earth = 6 x 1024 kg, distance between the centre of
between each other known as gravitational force or universal Earth and the centre of the rocket = 7.5 x 105 m]
force.
2. Gravitational force exists in pairs with same magnitude. Solution
3. Gravitational force can be explained by Newton’s Universal
Law of Gravitation.

Solving Problems Involving Newton’s Universal Law of

Gravitation for Two Static Objects on the Earth
Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that
gravitational force, F is directly proportional to the product Activity 3.2 (Textbook page 81)
of mass of the bodies and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them. Instruction:
Table below shows information of two bodies at rest on the Earth.
F  m1m2 Calculate the gravitational force, F using the informations given
m1m2 and complete the table.
1 F
F 2 r2
Mass, m / kg
r Pair r/m F/N
m1 m2
2.0
Formula: F = gravitational force between two 1 30 20
bodies 4.0
m1m2 m1 = mass of first body
F G m2 = mass of second body 2 100 150
2.0
r2 r = distance between the centre of the 4.0
first body and the centre of the
second body
G = universal gravitational constant Discussion:
(G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2) 1. How do the masses of two bodies influence the gravitational
force between them?
……………………………………………………………………...
Example 1 2. What is the effect of distance between two bodies on
gravitational force between them?
Calculate the gravitational force between an object of mass 5.0 kg
……………………………………………………………………
and the Earth of mass 6.0 x 1024 kg. [Distance between the centre
of the object and the Earth is 6.6 x 106m ] 3. Why is the magnitude of gravitational force between the two
bodies are small?
Solution
……………………………………………………………………

Factors that affect gravitational force:

1. Mass of object.
As mass increases, the gravitational force …………………..
Example 2
2. Distance between objects.
Mass of the Earth and mass of the Moon are 5.97 x 10 24 kg and As distance increases, the gravitational force ……………….
7.4 x 1022 kg respectively. If the gravitational force between the
Earth and the Moon is 2.05 x 1020 N, what is the distance between Example 3
the centre of the Earth and the Moon? Two objects with masses 45 kg and 30 kg are placed at 2.5 m from
each other. Calculate the gravitational force between the objects.
Solution [G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2]

Solution

1
FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Solving Problems Involving Newton’s Universal Law of Relating Gravitational Acceleration, g on the Surface of the
Gravitation Earth with Universal Gravitational Constant, G
(i) Object on the Earth surface
(ii) The Earth and satellite 1. Using the information below, the relationship between g and G
(iii) The Earth and the Sun. can be derived.
Newton’s Second Law of Motion: F = mg
Activity 3.3 (Textbook page 82)
Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation: F  GMm
Instructions: 2
r
Study figure and the informations given in the table. Then, answer
M = mass of the Earth
the questions.
m = mass of the object
R = distance between the centre of the Earth and the centre
of the object

Gravitational force causes Gravitational force pulls

object to fall with object to the centre of the
acceleration, g Earth

Newton’s Second Law Newton’s Universal

of Motion Law of Gravitation
Mass of the Sun 1.99 x 1030kg
Mass of the Earth 5.97 x 1024kg F = mg GMm
F
Mass of the Moon 7.35 x 1022 kg r2
Mass of man-made satellite 1.20 x 103kg
Radius of the Earth 6.37 x 106m
Distance between the Earth and the Sun 1.50 x 1011m
Distance between the Earth and the GMm
4.22 x 107m mg 
satellite r2
Cancel common
1. What is the gravitational force on the man-made satellite before factor, m
it is launched?
g=

2. Calculate : 2. Relationship between g and G:

(a) the gravitational force between the Earth and the man-made
satellite.

(b) the gravitational force between the Earth and the Sun. 3. The factors that influence the value of gravitational
acceleration, g:
(a) distance between the centre of the Earth and the centre
of the object.
 As the distance increases, the gravitational acceleration
…………………….
(b) mass of the Earth, M. (constant)
(c) universal gravitational constant, G (constant)
(c) The gravitational force between the Earth and the moon is
2.00 x 1020 N. What is the distance between the centre of the
Earth and the centre of the Moon?

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Activity 3.5 (Textbook page 84) 5. Figure below shows a satellite at height, h from the surface of
The variations in the values of g with r the Earth. R is the radius of the Earth and r is the distance of the
satellite from the centre of the Earth, which is the radius of the
Instruction: orbit.
Calculate the value of gravitational acceleration for the five
distances given in Figure below and complete the table.
[Mass of the Earth, M = 5.97 x 1024 kg;
Radius of the Earth, R = 6.37 x 106 m;
Gravitational constant, G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2 ]

6. At height, h from the surface of the Earth, distance from the

centre of the Earth is r = (R+h). With this, gravitational
acceleration,
Distance from centre of the R 2R 3R 4R 5R GM
g
Earth, r ( R  h) 2
Gravitational acceleration,
g/ ms-2
7. On the surface of the Earth, height, h = 0. Therefore, r = radius
of the Earth, R. Gravitational acceleration on the surface of the
Discussion:
GM , where M is the mass of the Earth.
1. What is the value of gravitational acceleration on the Earth’s Earth, g
surface? R2

………………………………………………………………. Example 4
2. Plot a graph of g against r.
Given the mass of the Earth is 5.97 x 1024 kg, radius of the Earth is
6.37 x 106 m and universal gravitational constant is
6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2 . Calculate
(i) the value of gravitational acceleration on the surface of the
Earth.
(ii) the gravitational acceleration of an object at 345 km height
from the surface of the Earth.

Solution

3. Value g is ……….…..…… proportional to the distance from

the centre of the Earth for r < R.
[ g  r]
Importance of Knowing the Value of Gravitational
4. Value g is …………………… proportional to the square of the Acceleration
distance from centre of the Earth for r ≥ R .
1. Gravitational force is a universal force.
[g
1 ]
2. The formula g  GM can be used to calculate gravitational
r2 2
R
accelaration on the surface of other bodies such as planets, the
Moon and the Sun.
3. When the value of the gravitational acceleration on the surface
of a body is known, the magnitude of the gravitational force
acting on an object on the surface of the body can be calculated.
4. Knowledge on the value of acceleration plays an important role

3
FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

in space exploration and continuity life. centripetal force.

Activity 3.6 (Textbook page 86) 2. Objects that orbit the Earth will experience free fall toward the
centre of the Earth.
Table below shows the mass and radius of the Moon, the Sun, and
some other planets. Calculate the gravitational acceleration, g for A body experiencing uniform
each of the bodies and complete the table. circular motion requires a
[G= 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2] centripetal force, toward the axis
Gravitational as shown, to maiintain its
Body Mass, M/kg Radius, R/m
accelertaion, g/ms-2 circular path.
Moon 7.35 x 1022 1.74 x 106

Sun 1.99 x 1030 6.96 x 108 3. Centripetal force can be calculated using the formula:
mv2 ,
Earth 5.97 x 1024 6.37 x 106 F Where F = centripetal force
r m = mass
v = linear speed
Venus 4.87 x 1024 6.05 x 106
r = radius of the circle

Mars 6.42 x 1023 3.40 x 106 4. Factors that affect centripetal force:
a. Mass of object, m.
Jupiter 1.90 x 1027 6.99 x 107 b. Linear speed, v.
c. Radius of the circle, r.

Discussion 5. Figure below shows a satellite moves in an orbit around the

1. Which body has the largest gravitational accelaeration? Earth. The satellite always experiences gravitational force that
acts towards the centre of the Earth. The gravitational force acts
………………………………………………………………… as centripetal force to the satellite.
2. Which body has gravitational acceleration closest to the
gravitaional accelaration of the Earth?

………………………………………………………………….
3. What factors determine the value of the gravitational
acceleration of a body?

………………………………………………………………….

Activity 3.8 (Textbook page 87)

The effects of gravity on the growth of humans 6. Satellites and planetary motion systems are circular motions
Instruction: Gather the information on the effects of gravity on the which are constantly experiencing a centripetal acceleration.
growth of humans and complete the table below.
Factors Effect of low gravity Effect of high gravity 7. By using force formula and centripetal force, a formula of
centripetal acceleration can be derived.
Difference
in density Force formula Centripetal force
formula
Bone
fragility
F = ma mv 2
Size of F
lungs r
Blood
circulatory
system
mv2
Blood ma 
pressure r Cancel common
factor, m

Centripetal Force in the Motion of Satellites and Planets

a=
1. Centripetal force is a force that makes body to follow a circular
path with direction always towards the centre of curvature.
[or] For a body in circular motion, a force acts on the body in a
direction towards the centre of the circle. The force is called
4
FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Example 5 Mass of the Earth and the Sun

Figure shows an iron ball with mass 0.5 kg is tied at the end of a Formula for the mass of the Earth and the Sun can be derived by
string and spin horizontally with radius 0.3 m and speed 4 m s-1. using formula of Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation and the
formula for centripetal force.

Activity 3.10 (textbook page 93)

Figure below shows the orbit of the Moon around the Earth.

M = mass of the Earth

m = mass of the Moon
Calculate r = radius of the
(a) the centripetal force. (b) the centripetal acceleration. Moon’s orbit
T = period of revolution
Solution of the Moon around
the Earth
v = linear speed of the
Moon

Instruction: Using the Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation and

centripetal force, complete diagram to derive the mass of Earth
formula.

Example 6 Distance travelled by the Moon

when making one complete orbit = 2πr
A bottle with mass 0.3 kg tied at the end of string and spin around the Earth
horizontally with speed 5 ms-1. The centripetal force produced is
10 N.
(a) What is the radius of the spinning orbit? Linear speed of the Moon, v
= 2 r
(b) If the speed increases to 15 ms-1, what is the centripetal force T
that acts?

Solution Newton’s Universal Centripetal force

Law of Gravitation

GMm mv 2
F 2
F
r r

GMm mv2
2

r r
Cancel common
Example 7 factor, m and r
GM
A weather satellite orbitting the Earth at a height, h = 550 km. 
r
Linear speed of the satellite is 7.62 x 103 ms-1. The radius of the Substitute
Earth, R is 6.37 x 106 m. What is the centripetal acceleration of the 2 r
satellite? v
T
GM
Solution 
r

Rearrange so
that M becomes
Mass of the Earth: the subject of
the formula
M=

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Example 8
TUTORIAL 3.1
Period of revolution of the Moon around the Earth,
T = 2.36 x 106 s and radius of the Moon’s orbit, r is 3.83 x 10 8 m. 1 A satellite moves around the Earth in its orbit and does not
Calculate the mass of the Earth, M. escape from the surface because the satellite

Solution A becomes weightless

B moves in vacuum
C always pulled by the Earth gravitational force
D moves with highest speed

2 What happen to the weight of an object if the mass of the Earth

decreases one half from the original mass without changing its
radius?

A Does not change

Example 9 B Decreases to one half from original weight
C Decreasesto one quarter from original weight
The Earth revolves around the Sun in a period of one year and the D Increases double from original weight
radius of the orbit is 1.50 x 1011 m. Calculate the mass of the Sun.

Solution 3 Which of the following statements is correct?

[Force of gravity of Earth on Moon = F B.
force of gravity of Moon on Earth = F b ]

A FB>Fb B FB=Fb C FB<Fb

4 A copper sphere P attracts a wooden sphere Q while a wooden

sphere R attracts a copper sphere T as shown in figure below.
The pair P and R are of the same size, so do the pair Q and T.

Conclusion

Table below shows the formula and data used to calculate the mass
of the Earth and the Sun.

Formula used to determine the 4 2 r 3

mass of the Earth or the Sun
M
GT 2
Which comparison is correct?
- radius of the orbit of any
Data needed to calculate the
satellite or the Moon A F1>F2 B F1=F2 C F1<F2
mass of the Earth
- period of revolution
5 Two spheres of the same mass attract each other with a force of
- radius of the orbit of any
1.2 x 10 -8 N. If the distance between the two spheres is 3.0 m,
Data needed to calculate the planet
what is the mass of each sphere?
mass of the Sun - period of revolution of planet
concerned
A 36 kg B 40 kg
C 120 kg D 1600 kg

6 Figure below shows the position of three spheres P, Q and R

with mass m, 2m and 3m respectively.

What is the ratio F 1 : F 2 ?

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

A 1: 2 B 3: 2
C 3:4 D 4:3

7 Four masses P, Q, R and S have masses and positions as shown

in figure below.

Which comparison is correct?

A g < g’ B g = g’ C g > g’

12 Figure below shows an object P revolving in a circle with a

radius of r. The period of rotation is T.

Which pair will attract each other with the strongest

gravitational force?

A P and Q B Q and R
C R and S D P and S

8 Figure below shows two copper spheres P and R, and two Which of the following graphs correctly shows the relationship
wooden spheres Q and S with radii and separation distance as between the weight of Q and the period of rotation, T?
shown. The attractive force between P and Q is F 1 and the
attractive force between R and S is F 2.

13 A man-made satellite moves orbitting the Earth at 265 km

height from the surface of the Earth with speed 4 x 103 ms-1.
Which comparison is correct?
What is the centripetal acceleration while its orbitting the
Earth? [Radius of the Earth = 6370 km]
A F1<F2 B F1=F2 C F1>F2
A 2.4 ms-2 B 2.5 ms-2
9 The acceleration due to gravity of an object on the surface of
C 50.5 ms-2 D 60.4 ms-2
the Earth is g. What is the percentage reduction of g if the
object is placed at a height of 0.1 R above the surface of the
14 An object has weight 2 N on the surface of the Earth. What is
Earth?
its weight if it is brought to the height of 1500 km from the
surface of the Earth? [Radius of the Earth = 6370 km;
A 4.2 % B 17.4 %
g = 9.81 Nkg-1]
C 18.5 % D 21.0 %
A 0.13 N B 0.8 N
10 The mass of the Sun is 1.99 x 10 30 kg. The gravitational
C 1.0 N D 1.3 N
acceleration on its surface is 273.7 ms-2. What is the radius of
the Sun?

A 126 000 km B 558 000 km

C 625 000 km D 696 000 km

11 The gravitational acceleration on the surface of a planet with

an original radius of R is g. The planet then shrinks till the
radius is halved. The gravitational acceleration also becomes g’
as shown in figure.

7
FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

15 Figure 1.1 shows an athlete spinning a 7 kg hammer in a sport.

Figure 1.2 shows top view of the spinning. 3.2 Kepler’s Law

Kepler’s First, Second and Third Law

Kepler’s First Law

 All planets move in elliptical orbits with the sun at one
focus. (Law of orbit)

1. Figure below shows the Sun always stays on a focus of the

Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2
ellipse.
(a) Based on Figure 1.2,
(i) Name the force that make the hammer moves in circle.
Tick ( ) the correct answer in the box provided.

Gravitational force

Centripetal force

(ii) Mark in figure 1.2 the direction of force, F you stated

in (a)(i).

(b) If the hammer moves with constant velocity 25 ms-2,

calculate the force stated in (a)(i) that acts on the hammer. 2. The major axis is longer than the minor axis.

3. Planets in Solar System can be assumed to make circular motion

around the Sun because most orbits of planets have major axis
and minor axis of almost the same length.
(c) How does the movement of the hammer when the athlete
releases the string? 4. The radius of orbit is the average value of the distance between
………………………………………………………….. the planet and the Sun.

16 Figure shows a satellite with mass 102 kg orbitting the Earth

at 3500 km height from the Earth. Gravitational acceleration at Kepler’s Second Law
the surface of the Earth is 9.81 ms-2 and the radius of the Earth  A line that connects a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal
is 6370 km. areas in equal times (Law of Areas)

1. Figure below shows motion of planet in its orbit.

(a) What is centripetal force?

……………………………………………………………
(b) What is the orbital radius of the satellite?

2. If a planet takes the same amount of time to move from A to B

(c) What is the gravitational acceleration at the position of the and from C to D, the area AFB is the same as the area CFD.
satellite?
3. Distance AB is longer than distance CD. This means the planet
is moving at higher linear speed from A to B than from C to D.

(d) What will happen to the gravitatinal acceleration if the

height decreases? Give one reason for you answer.
………………………………………………………….

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Kepler’s Third Law 2. Base on the information above, complete the diagram below to
 The square of the period of any planet is directly express Kepler’s third law
proportional to the cube of the radius of its orbit
(Law of Periods)
Distance travelled by the planet 2πr
1. A planet which orbits with a larger radius has longer orbital in one complete circle =
period.

2. Planets which are further from the Sun take a longer time to
complete one orbit around the Sun.
Linear speed of the planet, v
= 2 r
T

Gravitational force that Centripetal force

acts on the planet

GMm mv 2
F 2
F
r r

GMm mv2
2

r r
Cancel common
factor, m and r
GM

r
Substitute
Orbits and orbital periods of planets. 2 r
v
T
3. Kepler’s third law can be formulated using Newton’s Universal GM
Law of Gravitation and concept of circular motion. 
r
4. The centripetal force is the same as gravitational force between Rearrange so that T 2
the Sun and the planet. becomes the subject
of the formula
Express Kepler’s Third Law
T 2=

1. Assuming that the orbit of the planet around the Sun is circular,
the relationship between the orbital period of the planet and the Compare with,
radius of the orbit can be derived as in Kepler’s third law. From Kepler’s
 4 2  3
third law: T 2    r
T2  r 3  GM 
M = Mass of the Sun T2 = k r 3 T2=kr2
k = constant
Where the constant, k  4 
m = Mass of the planet 2

r = Radius of orbit GM
F = Gravitational force
v = Linear speed of
planet Problem Solving Using Kepler’s Third Law
T = Orbital period
r1 = radius of orbit of Planet 1
r2 = radius of orbit of Planet 2
T1 = Orbital period of planet 1
T2 = Orbital period of planet 2

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

1. From Kepler’s Third Law, a formula can be derived as

TUTORIAL 3.2
T1 2 r3
 13
T2 2 r2 1 P, Q, R and S are four positions for a planet which is moving
2. For planet orbiting the Sun: around the Sun M in an ellipse orbit.
 r is the distance between centre of the planet and centre of
the Sun.

3. For satellite orbiting the Earth:

 r is the distance between the centre of the Earth and the
centre of the satellite.
 r = R + h, R is the radius of the Earth and h is the
height of satellite from the Earth.
 R = 6370 km. The vocity of the planet is maximum at
A P B Q C S D S
Example 1

Figure below shows the planets, Earth and Mars, orbitting the Sun. 2 Figure below shows two satellites, S1 and S2 are orbitting Mars
with radius R1 and R2 respectively.
The radius of the orbit of the Earth
and Mars is 1.50 x 1011 m and
2.28 x 1011 m respectively. If the
orbital period of the Earth is
1 year, calculate the orbital period
of Mars.

Solution
What is the ratio of period S1 and S2 if the ratio of radius orbit
S1 and S2 is 4:9?

A 64 : 729 B 8 : 27
C 16 : 81 D 2:3

3 Figure below shows the position of satellite S1, S2 and S3

orbiting Earth. [T is period and R is radius of orbit].
Example 2

Figure shows a satellite need to orbit at a height of 400 km to

capture clear images of the surface of the Earth.

If the radius of the orbit of the

Moon is 3.83 x 108 m and orbital
period of the Moon is 655.2 hours, Which of the following statement is true?
calculate the orbital period of the
satellite. [Radius of the Earth is A Gravitational force on all satellites are the same.
6370 km] 2
B Ratio of T for each satellite are constant.
R3
C All satellites have same period.
Solution D Force that acts on each satellite directly proportional to 1
R

4 According to Kepler’s Second Law, the line joining the Earth

and the Sun sweeps the minimum area for the month of

A January B February
C June D December

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

5 The distance of planet Early Bird and the Moon from the
centre of the Earth is 42000 km and 386000 km respectively. 3.3 Man-made Satellites
If the orbital period of the Moon is 27.3 days, what is the
orbital period of Early Bird? Orbit of Satellite

A 1.5 hours B 24 hours 1. Satellites move in orbits at specific heights and suitable linear
C 36 hours D 48 hours speeds.
2. Formulae for centripetal force and Newton’s Universal Law of
6 Figure shows the planet Jupiter with its four satellites. Gravitation are used to establish and determine the linear speed
of satellite around the Earth.

If the orbital period is T and the distance from the satellites to

the centre of Jupiter is r, then for the four satellites,

3
A T  r B T  r
A satellite moving in a circular orbit around the Earth
C T  r3 D T  r3 experiences centripetal force, which is gravitational force.

7 Two satellites S1 and S2 orbit around the Earth with the same Gravitational force between satellite and the Earth, F  GMm
orbital radius as shown in figure below. The mass of satellite 2
r
S1 is greater than the mass of satellite S2. 2
Centripetal force on satellite, F  mv
r
Centripetal force = Gravitational force

Which of the following statement is true?

[ T = period ; a = acceleration ; F = force ; v = speed ] v2 =

A T1 > T2 B a1 > a2
C F1 > F2 D v1 > v2
v =

8 (a) Write an equation relating speed of a planet with its

orbital period around the Sun.
As G and M is constant, linear speed of the satellite only
depends on its orbit radius.

If a satellite is at a height, h above the surface of the Earth,

(b) From Kepler’s Third Law, derive and show that the square
of velocity of a planet that orbits the Sun is inversely Satellite orbit radius, r = R + h [R = radius of the Earth]
proportional to its orbital radius. [ v 2  1 ]
r Therefore, linear speed of the satellite, v =

11
FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Example 1 The difference between Geostationary and Non-geostationary

satellites
Figure below shows a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite at
an altitude of 20 200 km from the Earth. Geostationary satellites Non-geostationary satellites
A satellite that moves around A satellite that moves around
the Earth at certain orbit the Earth at changing orbit
height. height.
Orbit period is 24 hours, same Orbit period can be more or
as the Earth orbit period less than 24 hours.
Direction of rotation is the Direction of rotation must not
same as direction of rotation of be the same as direction of
the Earth. rotation of the Earth.
It is always seen to be
It is always seen to be
changing position by an
stationary by an observer at the
observer at the surface of the
surface of the Earth.
Earth
Its orbit always above the Its orbit must not always be
Earth Equator above the Earth Equator.
It is used to get information for
It is used to communicate
weather broadcasting , GPS
throughout the whole world.
Calculate the linear speed of the satellite. and imaging the Earth surface.
Example: TiungSAT; Pipit;
Example: MEASAT
Solution RazakSAT; ISS

Escape Velocity

1. Escape velocity, v, is the minimum velocity needed by an object

on the surface of the Earth to overcome the gravitational force
and escape to outer space.

2. If the distance of an object from the centre of the Earth is r, the

mass of the object is m, and the mass of the Earth is M, then the
object possesses gravitational potential energy, U   GMm
r
3. Figure below shows an object launced at escape velocity, v. The
object can overcome gravitational force and move an infinite
distance from Earth.

Geostationary and Non-Geostationary Satelltess

1. A geostationary satellite is an earth-orbiting satellite that
revolves in the same direction the Earth rotates (west to east).

2. A non-geostationary satellite is one that is not positioned in a

geostationary orbit.

Comparison between geostationary and non-geostationary Using the principle of conservation of energy,
satellites Ei = E f
Similarities: Eki + Epi = Ekf + Epf
1. Both satellites orbit the Earth. 1 GMm 1 GMm
mvi 2  ( )  mv f 2 
2. Linear speed of satellite, v = GM 2 r 2 rf
r
3. Orbital period of satellite, T = 4 2 r 3 1
mvi 2 
GMm
0
GM 2 r
1 GMm
mvi 2 
2 r
2GM
vi 
2

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 FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

Since, r = R and vi = v escape

TUTORIAL 3.3
Therefore,
2GM
vescape  1 Which of the following is true about geostationary satellite?
R I It moves in the direction of the Earth orbit.
II Its period of rotation is one day.
4. Factors that affects the escape velocity of an object from the III Its orbit is always above the Earth Equator.
surface of the Earth: IV It does not experience any gravitational pull.
(i) mass of the Earth, M.
(ii) distance of the object from the centre of the Earth, r. A I, II and III only B IV only
C I and III only D II and IV only
5. The escape velocity of an oject from the Earth does NOT
depend on mass of the object, m. 2 P and Q are two satellites of equal masses.

6. The escape velocity from the Earth is very high which is

11 200ms-2 because the Earth has a very large mass.

Solving Problems Involving Escape Velocity

Formula for gravitational acceleration, g  GM Which of the following statements is correct?

R2
A Velocity of P equals velocity of Q
Formula for escape velocity, v  2GM B Relative distance between P and Q remains constant
R C Kinetic energy of P equals kinetic energy of Q.
Calculate the value of gravitational acceleration and escape D Q will get nearer to P after a few years.
velocity for the planets, the Moon and the Sun given in the table
below. 3 Which of the following orbits, A, B, C and D, might be the
orbit of a geostationary satellite?
Escape Gravitational
Planet/ Mass, Radius,
velocity, acceleration,
Body M / kg R/m
v / ms-1 g / ms-2
Earth 5.97 x 1024 6.37 x 106

Venus 4.87 x 1024 6.05 x 106

Mars 6.42 x 1023 3.40 x 106

Jupiter 1.90 x 1027 6.99 x 107

Sun 1.99 x 1030 6.96 x 108

Moon 7.35 x 1022 1.74 x 106

4 In figure below, P and Q are two planets with the same mass.
v e and v’e are the escape velocities for P and Q respectively.
(a) Compare the value of escape velocities at all of the planets.
Which planet has the
(i) lowest escape velocity?
………………………………………………….…….
(ii) highest escape velocity?
………………………………………………..……….
Which comparison is correct?
(b) Relate the value of escape velocity with the mass and the
density of the atmosphere. A v e < v’ e B v e = v’e C v e > v’e
………………………………………………………………
5 Which of the following statements is correct about the escape
……….……………………………………………………… velocity and orbital velocity on the surface of a planet?
(c) Compare the gravitational acceleration on the Moon and the
Sun and their escape velocities. Give a conclusion. A Escape velocity is about 41% more than orbital velocity
B Both are directly proportional to the radius of the planet.
………………………………………………………………… C Both depend on the mass of the object concerned.
D Both are affected by the weather.

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FORM 4 PHYSICS THEME 2 : NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
CHAPTER 3 : GRAVITATION

6 The escape velocity on the surface of the Earth is 11 km s-1. 9 Figure below shows Jupiter planet with mass 1.90 x 10 27 kg
What is the escape velocity at a height of 0.5R from the surface and radius 6.99 x 10 7 m. The escape velocity at Jupiter is very
of the Earth? high causing hot gas on the surface of the planet cannot escape
to the air. The temperature at Jupiter is very high and no living
A 7.3 km s-1 B 8.0 km s-1 things can live there. Given G = 6.67 x 10 -11 N m2 kg -2.
C 9.0 km s-1 D 9.6 km s-1

7 Figure shows two rockets P and Q with masses M and 2M

respectively. P is at the North pole while Q is at the Equator.
v eP and v eQ are the escape velocities of P and Q respectively
from the surface of the Earth.

(a) What is escape velocity?

…………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………..

Which comparison is correct? (b) What is the escape velocity from Jupiter?

A v eP < v eQ B v eP = v eQ C v eP > v eQ

8 Figure below shows three satellites K, L and M revolving

around the Earth in their respective orbits.
(c) (i) An object wuth mass of 250 kg is on the surface of
Jupiter. Determine the escape velocity for the object
from the planet.
………………………………………………………….
(ii) Explain your answer in (c)(i).
………………………………………………………….
(d) Table shows information of planets in a system that
(a) Satellite M is a communication satellite which is also moves around a star. The three planets are orbiting the
known as a geostationary satellite. State the three special star in their own orbit.
characteristics of satellite M.
………………………………………………………… Planet Mass, M/kg
Radius, Escape velocity,
………………………………………………………… R/m v/ms-1
………………………………………………………… A 5.97 x 10 24 6.37 x 10 6
(b) Determine the height of satellite M from the Earth’s
surface. B 1.90 x 10 21 1.32 x 10 7

C 6.42 x 10 22 3.40 x 10 6

(c) Centripetal force is needed for the circular motion of the (i) Calculate the escape velocity from each planet and
satellite complete the table above.
(i) Name the force that contribute the centripetal force.
……………………………………………………… (ii) Choose the most suitable planet for human being to
(ii) If the force in (c)(i) suddenly ‘disappears’, what stay. Give reason for your choice.
would happen to the motion of the satellites? …………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………..
(d) If satellites K and L are at heghts 2R and 3R from the …………………………………………………………..
Earth’s surface, calculate the ratio of the period of satellite
K to satellite L. …………………………………………………………..

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