Chapter

3
The will to win,
the desire to succeed,
the urge to reach
your full potential…
These are the keys
that will unlock
the door
to personal excellence.

DREAM BIG ... AIM HIGH ... NEVER GIVE UP ...

 3.1 Newton’s Universal Law Of Gravitation
A. Gravitational force
Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation
state that

Gravitational force, F is directly proportional to the product of mass of the object and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between them

FORMULA
F = Gravitational force between
two objects
𝐺𝑚! 𝑚# G = Universal gravitational
𝐹=
𝑟# constant
(6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2)

m1 = mass of first object

m2 = mass of second object
r = distance between the center
of two objects

Factor that affect gravitational force

mass of object, m distance between objects, r

Relationship Relationship

mass, m ­, distance, r ­,
gravitational force, F ­ gravitational force, F ¯

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 m1 F1 F2 m2

F1 = F2
$%! %#
𝐹= &#

The moon can orbit around the

between Moon and
Earth as there is GRAVITATIONAL FORCE
Earth

Pathway of the
moon if no
gravitational
force

gravity

The
planets around the Sun GRAVITATIONAL
can orbit because of the FORCE imposed between the planets and the Sun.

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 B. Relationship gravitational acceleration, g, on the surface of the
earth with the universal gravitational constant, g

r
Object

Earth
Newton's Second Law of F = mg 1
Motion

Newton’s Universal Law of

Gravitation 𝐺𝑚 𝑀 2
𝐹=
𝑟"

𝐺𝑚 𝑀 𝐺𝑀
1 = 2 mg = 𝑔=
𝑟" 𝑟!

Do not walk PROUDLY on the EARTH;

your feet cannot tear apart the Earth nor
are you as tall as mountains
Quran 17:37

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 R 2R 3R 4R

When R ↑ ∴g↓
Example:
Given that ;
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

Distance from the

Gravitational acceleration,
centre of the
g / ms-2
Earth, r / m

g = GM = 6.67 x 106 (5.97 x 1024) = 9.8

R r2 (6.37 x 106)2

2R g = GM = 6.67 x 106 (5.97 x 1024) = 4.9

r2 2 x (6.37 x 106)2

g = GM = 6.67 x 106 (5.97 x 1024) = 3.3

3R
r2 3 x (6.37 x 106)2

g = GM = 6.67 x 106 (5.97 x 1024) = 2.5

4R
r2 4 x (6.37 x 106)2

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 Example:
gh is the acceleration due to
r h
gravity at height, h from the
Earth's surface

R G is the Gravitational constant,

M is the mass of the Earth,
R is the radius of the Earth.

r=R+h
𝐺𝑚 𝑀 The further
𝐹= ... 1 from the Earth's surface,
(𝑅 + ℎ) "

... 2 the smaller

𝐹 = 𝑚𝑔 #
is the gravitational
equation 1 = equation 2 acceleration, g.

𝑔 01
./
(2 3 .)!

r> R
g
When

g is inversely
When r< R proportional to r2
g is directly
𝑟

proportional
∝

1
r 𝑔 ∝ !
𝑔

to
𝑟

0 r
R

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 Gravitational Solar
of the planets in the
Acceleration System

Planet Mass, M /kg Radius, R /m

Sun 1.99 x 1030 6.96 x 108
Moon 7.35 x 1022 1.74 x 106
Mars 6.42 x 1023 3.40 x 106
Jupiter 1.90 x 1027 6.99 x 107
Saturn 5.68 x 1026 6.03 x 107

"#
𝑔= $ " = (6.67 x 10-11) (1.99 x 1030) = 274 m s-2
sun
8 2
(6.96 x 10 )

"#
𝑔= " = (6.67 x 10-11) (7.35 x 1022) = 1.62 m s-2
moon
$
6 2
(1.74 x 10 )

"#
𝑔= = (6.67 x 10-11) (6.42 x 1023) = 3.7 m s-2 mars
$"
6 2
(3.40 x 10 )

"#
𝑔= $ " = (6.67 x 10-11) (1.90 x 1027) = 25.94 m s-2
Jupiter
7 2
(6.99 x 10 )

"#
𝑔= = (6.67 x 10-11) (5.68 x 1026) = 10.42 m s-2
$ "
Saturn
(6.03 x 107)2

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 C. Centripetal force in the motion of satellites and planets system
Centripetal force

The force that act to an object in circular motion

FORMULA
F = Centripetal force

𝑚𝑣 4 m = mass
𝐹=
𝑟 v = linear speed

r = radius of the circle

Relationship

Factor that affect

Centripetal force Mass of object, m m ­, F ­

Relationship

Linear speed, v v ­, F ­

Relationship

Radius of the circle, r r ­, F ¯

Centripetal is the acceleration that

acceleration, ac directed towards the centre of the circle.

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 Force formula F = ma
1

𝑚𝑣 "
Centripetal force formula 𝐹= 2
𝑟

𝑚𝑣 " 𝑣"
1 = 2 ma = 𝑎 =
𝑟 𝑟

SITUATION:
Planets orbiting around the Sun Going through a loop
on a roller coaster

Spinning a ball on a
string or twirling a lasso Turning a car

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 D. Mass of the Earth and the Sun
Formula of Linear speed, v

Derive from formula of

Speed = Distance
Time

Distance = Distance travelled by a planet to

make one complete orbit around the Earth
= Perimeter of orbit = 2pr

Time = Period of revolution of the Moon

around the Earth = T

Linear speed, v = 2pr

T
#Refer Figure 3.20 in Text book

Newton’s Universal Law of 𝐺𝑚 𝑀

Gravitation 𝐹= 1
𝑟"

𝑚𝑣 "
Centripetal force formula 𝐹= 2
𝑟

𝐺𝑚 𝑀 𝑚𝑣 " 𝐺𝑀
1 = 2 = = 𝑣!
𝑟! 𝑟 𝑟

"$% 𝐺𝑀 2𝜋𝑟 " 4𝜋 ! 𝑟 "

replace v with =& * 𝑀=
& 𝑟 𝑇 𝐺𝑇 !
Where ;
r = Radius of the orbit of any planet or satellite
T = Period of revolution

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 Diagram shows the Earth, planet Mercury and
Venus revolving around the Sun.
[Mass of Sun = 1.99 x 1030 kg,

Example:
G = 6.67x10-11 N m2 kg-2]

Earth

r = 1.5 x 1011 m
Find:
Mercury r? (i) the period of revolution of Mercury

r = 5.79 x 1010 m (ii) the radius of orbit of Venus.

Venus
(Period of revolution = 0.61 Earth’s year)

(i) (ii)
M = 4p2r3 Period of revolution = 0.61 x 3.16 x 107 s
GT2 = 1.93 x 107 s
M = 4p2r3
1.99 x1030 = 4p2r3 GT2
GT2
1.99 x1030 = 4p2r3
1.99 x1030 = 4p2(5.79 x 1010)3 6.67 x 10-11(1.93 x 107)2
6.67 x 10-11 (T2)
r3 = 6.67x10-11(1.93 x 107)2
T2 = 4p2(5.79 x 1010)3 = 7.96 x 106 s 1.99 x 1030 4p2
1.99 x 1030 (6.67 x 10-11)

T = 0.24 years r = 1.08 x 1011 m

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 FORMATIVE PRACTICE 3.1
(PAGE: 95 TEXT BOOK)

no 3.
A piece of space junk of mass 24 kg is at a distance of 7.00 × 106 m from the centre of the Earth. What
is the gravitational force between the space junk and the Earth?
[G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2 kg-2,
mass of the Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg]

Gm M
F=
r!
$%.%' ( )*!"" +(!-)$/.0' ( )*#$ +
F= (' ( )*% )#

F = 195.03 N

A weather satellite orbits the Earth at a height of 560 km. What is the value of gravitational acceleration
no 4. at the position of the satellite?
[G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2 kg–2, r = R+ h
mass of the Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg, = 560 x 103 + 6.37 x 106
radius of the Earth = 6.37 × 106 m]
= 6.93 x 106 m

Gm M
mg =
r"

GM
g=
r"

(6.67 x 10#$$ )(5.97 x 10"% )

g=
(6.93 x 10& )"

g = 8.292 ms-2

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no 5.
A man-made satellite of mass 400 kg orbits the Earth with a radius of 8.2 × 106 m.
Linear speed of the satellite is 6.96 × 103 m s-1 . What is the centripetal force acting on the satellite?

m𝑣 "
F=
r

(400)(6.96 x 10' )"

F=
8.2 x 10&

F = 2363 N

no 6. Figure 3.23 shows Mercury orbiting the Sun with a radius of 5.79 × 1010 m and a period of
revolution of 7.57 × 106 s. Calculate the mass of the Sun.

4π! 𝑟 "
M=
G𝑇 !

4π! (5.79 𝑥 10)* )"

M=
(6.67 x 101)) )(7.57 x 10% )!

M = 2.005 x 1030 kg

Time is free, but it's priceless.

You can't own it, but you can use it.
You can't keep it, but you can spend it.
Once you've lost it...
You can never get it back.

Harvey Mackay

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 3.2 KEPLER'S LAW
A. Explain Kepler's Law
All planets move in

KEPLER'S 1 elliptical
sun at one
orbits with the

focus

Perihelion point MINOR AXIS

a place where the
planet is the
closest to the
Sun MAJOR
AXIS
r

Aphelion point
a place where the planet is
the farthest to the Sun

A The planet in Solar system have elliptical shaped orbits.

A The Sun always stays on a focus of the ellipse.
A The major axis is longer than the minor axis.
A Most orbit of planets in the Solar system have major axis and minor axis of almost at the same
length.

A Planets can be assumed to make circular motion around the Sun.

A The radius of orbit = the average value of the distance between the planet
and the Sun.

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 line
2
A that connects a
KEPLER'S planet to the Sun sweeps out

equal areas in
(Law Of Areas) equal times
elli
pt
ica
l or
bit
B

C
F

Sun

=
earth

time: A to B C to D

area: AFB
= CFD

distance: AB
> CD

linear speed:

be amazing
A to B
> C to D

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 KEPLER'S 3 The square of period
any planet is

proportional to
of

(Law Of period) the cube of the

! " radius
𝑇 ∝ 𝑟 of its orbit

A planet which orbits with a larger

radius has a

longer orbital period

Mercury < Venus < Earth < Mars < Jupiter < Saturn < Uranus < Neptune

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 B. Express Kepler's Third Law

M Mass of the sun

m Mass of the planet
v Linear speed of the planet
r Orbital radius
T
Period of the planet
around the sun

Distance travelled by the planet in one complete circle = 2𝜋𝑟

!$%
Linear speed of the planet, 𝑣 =
&

Gravitational force that acts 𝐺𝑚 𝑀

on the planet 𝐹= 1
𝑟"

𝑚𝑣 "
Centripetal force 𝐹= 2
𝑟

1 = 2 𝐺𝑚 𝑀 = 𝑚𝑣 " 𝐺𝑀
= 𝑣!
𝑟! 𝑟 𝑟

"$%
replace v with 𝐺𝑀 2𝜋𝑟 ! Express T2 as formula title !
4𝜋 ! 𝑟 "
& =% ) 𝑇 =
𝑟 𝑇 𝐺𝑀

Compare with
From Kepler's Third Law so, k 4𝜋 !
4𝜋! 𝑘 =
𝑇! = - / 𝑟# 𝐺𝑀
𝑇! ∝ 𝑟#
𝐺𝑀
𝑇 ! = 𝑘𝑟 #

k = constant

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 C. Problem solving using Kepler's Third Law
r1 Radius of the orbit planet 1
r2 Radius of the orbit planet 1
T1 Period of planet 1 orbiting the sun
T2 Period of planet 1 orbiting the sun

From Kepler's Third Law,

can be derived:

𝑇'! 𝑟'(
= (
𝑇!! 𝑟!

1
For planet orbiting the sun,
• r is the distance between centre of the planet and centre of the sun

2 For satellite orbiting the earth,

• r is the distance between centre of the earth and centre of the satellite
•r=R+h

R = radius of the earth = 6 370 km

h = height of satellite from the earth

A planet radius of
BIGGER orbit has a BIGGER period.
orbital
orbiting with a

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 FORMATIVE PRACTICE 3.2
(PAGE: 102 TEXT BOOK)

no 2.
Figure 3.32 shows the orbit of a planet around the Sun.
Compare the linear speed of the planet at positions X, Y and Z.
linear speed
inversely
proportional to r
F -------------------------
r increase
Linear Speed
decrease

AREA : ZFX = XFY = YFZ

RADIUS (r) :Z>X>Y
LINEAR SPEED :Y>X>Z

no 3.
At what height should a satellite be if the satellite is required to orbit the Earth in a period
of 24 hours?
[Orbital period of the Moon = 27.3 days, radius of orbit of the Moon = 3.83 × 108 m]
T1 = 27.3 X 24
= 655.2 hours 𝑇)! 𝑟)"
= "
𝑇!! 𝑟!

(655.2)! (3.83 𝑥 102 )"

=
(24)! (6.37 𝑥 10% + ℎ)"

h = 3.6 x 107 m

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 3.3 MAN-MADE SATELLITE
A. Derived linear speed formula of a satellite

M Mass of the earth

m Mass of the satellite

v Linear speed of the planet

Orbital radius
r

𝐺𝑚 𝑀
Gravitational force between
𝐹' =
satellite and the earth, F1 𝑟"
Important
Centripetal force, F2 𝑚𝑣 " notes
𝐹" = 1. Escape velocity, v of an object does not
𝑟 depend on the mass of an object,
but it depends on

𝐺𝑚 𝑀 𝑚𝑣 " ü mass of the Earth, M

=
𝑟" 𝑟 ü distance of object
F1 = F2 𝐺𝑀 from the center
𝑣" = of the Earth
𝑟
2. The Earth has large mass, the
escape velocity of an object from the
𝐺𝑀 Earth must be at high value which is
𝑣 = ) 11 200 ms-1 or 40 300 km h-1.
𝑟

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 B. Escape velocity

Escape minimum velocity

velocity: required by an object on the Earth's
surface to overcome the gravitational
force and escape to
outer space

The escape velocity is achieved when the minimum kinetic energy supplied to
the object exceeds the gravitational potential energy.

Gravitational potential energy = Minimum kinetic energy

#$'
𝑣)*+,-) = &
(

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 The benefits and implication of Escape velocity

benefit and implication explanation

Earth can maintain a layer of atmosphere around it.

The linear speed of air molecules is

500 ms-1 which is lower than escape velocity
of the Earth that is 11 200 ms-1.
Air cannot escape from the Earth into outer
space

Commercial aircraft or fighter jet can fly high without

escaping into outer space
Commercial aircrafts or fighter jets has linear
speed of 250 ms-1 while fighter jets has linear
speed of up to 2 200 ms-1.
As both their linear speed is lower than escape
velocity from the Earth, they can fly high
without escaping into outer space.

Rocket can be launched at escape velocity to send

spacecraft to outer space

When a of rocket is supplied with large

quantities of fuel to produce high thrust, the
rocket can achieve escape velocity and enable
to send the spacecraft to outer space.

HOW DO PLANETS LOSE THEIR ATMOSPHERES?

The hotter the atmosphere, the more molecule can escape.
The smaller the object, the lower the gravity.
So, escape velocity is lower and it is harder to retain an atmosphere
(esp.; Moon and Mercury)
The atmosphere loses to the outer space.

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 Communicate on geostationary and non-geostationary satellites.

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 FORMATIVE PRACTICE 3.3
(PAGE: 110 TEXT BOOK)

no 2. What factors determine the linear speed of satellites orbiting the Earth?

𝐺𝑀
𝑣 = )
mass of earth 𝑟
orbital radius

no 3. State two factors which influence the value of escape velocity from a planet.

2𝐺𝑀
mass of planet 𝑣)*+,-) = +
𝑅
radius of planet

no 4. Discuss whether escape velocity from the Earth for spacecraft X of mass 1 500 kg is different from
spacecraft Y of mass 2 000 kg.

Both X and Y spacecraft require the

same velocity.

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no 5.
Proba-1 satellite orbits the Earth at a height of 700 km. What is the linear speed of this satellite?
[G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2 kg–2,
mass of the Earth = 5.97 × 1024 kg,
radius of the Earth = 6.37 × 106 m]

GM
v=@
r

GM
v=@
(R+h)

6.67 × 10#$$ × 5.97 × 10"%

v= @
(6.37 × 10& + 700 × 10' )

v = 7.49 × 103 m s–1

y o nd
be
a nd
ni t y
i nfi
to

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 EXERCISES:
1. (a) Communications satellites orbit the Earth at a height of 36 000 km.
PL3 How far is this from the centre of the Earth?
Given: Radius of the Earth = 6.4 x 106 m

r = 36 000 x 103 + 6.4 x 106

= 4.24 x 107 m

PL3 (b) If such a satellite has a mass of 250 kg, what is the force of attraction on it from the
Earth?
Given: G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
Mass of the Earth = 6.0 x 1024 kg

(6.67 𝑥 10$%% )(250)(6.0 𝑥 10!& )

𝐹=
(4.24 𝑥 10' )!

F = 55.65 N

2. Two spherical objects have masses of 200 kg and 500 kg. Their centres are separated by a
PL3 distance of 25 m. Find the gravitational attraction between them.

Gravitational attraction = gravitational force

(6.67 𝑥 10$%% )(200)(500)

𝐹=
(25)!

F = 1.0672 x 10-8 N

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 3. Diagram 1.1 shows an athlete spinning a 7 kg hammer in a sport.
Diagram 1.2 shows top view of the spinning.

Diagram 1.1 Diagram 1.2

(a) Based on Diagram 1.2,

PL1 (i) Name the force that make the hammer move in circle path.
Tick (√) the correct answer in the box provided.

Gravitational Centripetal
force force
√

[1 mark]

PL1 (ii) Mark on Diagram 1.2 the direction of force, F that stated in (a)(i).
[1 mark]

(b) If the hammer moves with constant velocity 25 ms-1, calculate the force stated in (a)(i)
PL3 that acts on the hammer.

𝑚𝑣 !
𝐹=
𝑟

7(25)!
𝐹=
2

= 21875.5 N

[2 marks]

(c) How does the movement of the hammer when the athlete release the string?
PL2 Move in straight line in direction of the tangent at point released

[1 mark]

TOTAL 5 marks

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 4. Diagram 2 shows an object A on the surface of the earth and object B at height h from the
earth. R is the radius of earth, r is the distance of the object from the centre of the earth and
PL4 M is the mass of the earth.

Diagram 2

(a) Based on the information above, derive the gravitational acceleration in terms of G, M,
R and h for:
(i) Object A
r=R

𝐺𝑀
𝑔=
𝑅!
[1 mark]
(ii) Object B

r=R+h

𝐺𝑀
𝑔=
(𝑅 + ℎ)!

[2 marks]

(b) Given the mass of the earth 5.97 x 1024 kg, radius of earth is 6.37 x 106 m, universal
gravitational constant is 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2.
Calculate:
(i) the value of gravitational acceleration of object A
𝐺𝑀
𝑔=
𝑅!

6.6 𝑥 10$%% (5.97 𝑥 10!& )

𝑔=
(6.37 𝑥 10( )!

g = 9.81 N kg-1
[2 marks]

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 (ii) the gravitational acceleration of object B at 345 km height from the surface of the
earth.

𝐺𝑀
𝑔=
(𝑅 + ℎ)!

6.6 𝑥 10$%% (5.97 𝑥 10!& )

𝑔=
(6.37 𝑥 10( + 345 𝑥 10# )!

g = 8.83 N kg-1

[2 marks]

TOTAL 7 marks

5. Diagram 3 shows a satellite with mass 102 kg orbiting the earth at 3500 km height from the
surface of the earth. Gravitational acceleration at the surface of the earth is 9.81 m s-2 and the
radius of the earth is 6370 km.

Diagram 3

(a) What is centripetal force?

PL1 A force that makes body to follow a circular path with direction always towards the
center of curvature.

[1 mark]
(b) What is the orbital radius of the satellite?
PL2 r = 3 500 + 6 370
= 9 870 km

[1 mark]

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 (c) What is the gravitational acceleration at the position of the satellite?
PL3
• At the surface of earth
gb = 9.81 m s-2
)*
𝑔( = (& ',- . $-! )" ................. (1)

• At the surface of satellite

)*
𝑔0 = (1 2,- . $-! )" ................. (2)

(1) = (2)

gs (9 870 x 103)2 = gb (6 370 x 103)2

1.2$ (& ',- . $-! )"

𝑔0 =
(1 2,- . $-! )"

= 4.086 m s-2

[4 marks]

(d) What will happen to the gravitational acceleration if the height decrease?
PL2 Give a reason.
Increases
Radius of the orbit decreases
[2 marks]

TOTAL 8 marks

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6. Venus and Mars are planets in our Solar System. The acceleration due gravity and the escape
velocity in both planets are different.
Given G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
Table 1 shows the mass and radius of both planets.

Planet Mass, m (kg) Radius, r (m)

Venus 4.87 x 1024 6.05 x 106
Mars 6.42 x 1023 3.40 x 106

Table 1
(a) Calculate:
PL3 (i) Acceleration due to gravity at Venus and Mars

𝐺𝑀
𝑔=
𝑟!

(&.&, . $-#$$ ) (%.2, . $-"% )

Venus: 𝑔 = (&.-4 . $-& )"
= 8.87 m s-2

(&.&, . $-#$$ ) (&.%" . $-"! )

Mars: 𝑔 = ('.%- . $-& )"
= 3.70 m s-2

[4 marks]
PL3 (ii) Escape velocity at Venus and Mars

!./
𝑣)*+,-) = B 0

"(&.&, . $-#$$ ) (%.2, . $-"% )

Escape velocity at Venus = D = 1.04 x 104 m s-1
&.-4 . $-&

"(&.&, . $-#$$ ) (&.%" . $-"! )

Escape velocity at Mars = D = 5.02 x 103 m s-1
'.%- . $-&

[4 marks]

(b) Compare the value of acceleration due to gravity and escape velocity for both planets
PL2 The value of acceleration due to gravity and escape velocity at Mars < at Venus

[1 mark]
(c) Explain your answer in 6(b)
PL2 Mars have smaller mass
[1 mark]

TOTAL 10 marks

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 7. A satellite is orbiting the earth at height 250 km from the surface of the earth. the mass of the
satellite is 100 kg and the radius of the earth is 6.4 x 103 km.

(a) What is the radius of the satellite?

PL1 r = 250 + 6 400 = 6 650 km

[1 mark]

(b) What is the gravity of the satellite if the gravity at the surface of the earth is 10 N kg-1?
PL2 Give a reason.
Decrease
)
g ∝ # on the surface of the earth
3
[2 marks]

(c) What is the force acting on the satellite while orbiting the earth in a certain orbit and what
PL3 is the value?

Centripetal force = Weight of the satellite

= mg = 100 x 10 = 1 000 N
[2 marks]

(d) What is the linear speed of the satellite?

PL3
Centripetal force = Weight of the satellite

𝑚𝑣 !
= 𝑚𝑔
𝑅

𝑣 = C𝑔𝑅 = C10 (6 650) = 257.88 m s-1

[2 marks]

TOTAL 7 marks

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 8. State the difference between Geostationary and Non-geostationary satellites.
PL4
Satellite Geostationary Satellite Non-geostationary
A satellite that moves around the earth at A satellite that moves around the earth at
certain height (Geostationary Earth Orbit) changing orbit height

Orbit period = 24 hours Orbit period can be more than or less 24 hours
same with earth

Direction of rotation = Direction of rotation of Direction of rotation ≠ Direction of rotation

the earth of the earth

Always seen to be stationary by an observer at Always seen to be changing position by an

the surface of the earth observer at the surface of the earth

Its orbit always above the Earth Equator Its orbit must not always above the Earth
Equator

It is used to communication throughout the It is used to get the information for weather
whole world broadcasting, GPS and imaging the earth
surface

[10 marks]

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 9. You are an engineer whom is assigned to determine which satellite that can be used as GOES
PL5 'Geostationary Environment Satellite'. By using your knowledge on the characteristic of
Geostationary satellite, choose the most suitable satellite to be used as GOES. Give justification
for your choice.

Satellite Direction of satellite rotation Orbit period Position of the satellite

In the opposite direction of the
A 24 hours Orbiting from pole to pole
Earth orbit
B In the direction of the Orbiting above the
24 hours
Earth orbit Equator
In the opposite direction of the
C 12 hours Orbiting from pole to pole
Earth orbit
In the direction of the Orbiting above the
D 12 hours
Earth orbit Equator

Characteristic Reason
In the direction of Satellite will always at the same position as observer by an observer
the Earth orbit on the surface of the earth
Orbit period = more same with the period of the earth rotation
Orbiting above the The position allows the satellite to observe weather and other
Equator phenomenon that vary on short time scale
In the direction of the Earth orbit
Choose B Orbit period = 24 hours
Orbiting above the Equator

[8 marks]

PL2 State one other use of Geostationary satellite. Give one example of the satellite stated.
Used in telecommunication.
MEASAT
[2 marks]

TOTAL 10 marks

Learn from yesterday

Live for today
Hope for tomorrow
The important thing is not to stop questioning

Training our mind to think

because
The Imagination Is More Than Knowledge

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3.1 NEWTON’S UNIVERSAL LAW OF GRAVITATION

Gravitational force, F = Gm1m2

2

Gravitational acceleration, g = GM
r

r2
Physics Enrichment

answer
2
Centripetal force, F = mv
r
2
Centripetal acceleration, a = v
r

SKILL: CALCULATION
1 Diagram 1 shows Ali stands 4.5 m away from his cat. The mass of Ali and the mass of the cat is 52 kg and 4.0 kg respectively.
Calculate the attraction force between Ali and his cat.

Diagram 1
Calculate the gravitational force between Ali and his cat.

G m1 m 2

√1
m1 = 52 kg F=
m2 = 4 kg r2
r = 4.5 m 6.67 x10 -11 x 52 x 4
=
G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2 (4.5) 2
= 6.85 x 10-10 N
√2 with unit
[2 marks]

2 A satellite of mass 650 kg orbit about the Earth at an altitude of 350 km above Earth'. Calculate the force of attraction
between the satellite and the Earth.
[G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2, radius of the Earth, R = 6 400 km , mass of the Earth, M = 5.97 x1024 kg]

G m1 m 2
m1 = 650 kg F=
r2
m2 = 5.97 x 1024 kg
r = (6 400 + 350) x 103 m
G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
=
6.67 x10 -11 x 650 x 5.97 x10 24
[(6400 + 350)x10 ]
3 2 √1
= 5.68 x 103 N
√2 with unit
[2 marks]

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3 A coin of mass 0.0025 kg placed 0.3 m from the center of a rotating, horizontal turntable with speed 0.5 m s-1.
Calculate
(a) the centripetal force needed to keep it moving in the circle

√1
m = 0.0025 kg 2 2

√2 with unit
mv 0.0025x(0.5)
v = 0.5 ms-1 F= = = 2.08x10 -3 N
r 0.3
r = 0.3 m

[2 marks]

√1
(b) the centripetal acceleration.

v 2 (0.5) 2
a=
r
=
0.3 √2 with unit
= 0.83 m s -2

[2 marks]

4 The frictional force between the wheels and the surface of the road is 6 480 N , when the car moves in
a roundabout of radius 50 m. The mass of the car is 1000 kg. Calculate the linear speed of the car.

m = 1000 kg
√1
√2 with unit
Fr 6480 x50
F = 6 480 N v= = = 18 m s -1
m 1000
r = 50 m

[2 marks]

5 A bucket is tied to a string and spun in a horizontal circle with speed 20 m s-1 produced a tension 450 N in the string.
Calculate the tension in the string when the speed of bucket is 30 m s-1.

F1 = 450 N F1 F2
2
=
v1 = 20 ms-1 v1 v22
v2 =30 ms-1
450
=
F2 √1
2 2
20 30

F2 = 1012.5 N
√2 with unit
[2 marks]

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6 Diagram 2 shows a wall clock. The length of the minute hand is 0.2 m and has mass of 0.15 kg.

Diagram 2
Calculate,
(a) The linear speed of the minute hand of the clock.

Formula of Linear speed, v

Derive from formula of

Speed = Distance
Time
Distance = Distance travelled by a planet to make
one complete orbit around the Earth
= Perimeter of orbit = 2pr √1
Time (T) = Period of revolution of the Moon 2pr 2p(0.2)
v= = = 0.021 m s -1
around the Earth
√2 with unit
T 60

Linear speed, v = 2pr

T
#Refer Figure 3.20 in Text book

[2 marks]
(b) The centripetal force and centripetal acceleration experinces by the minute hand of the clock.

√1
mv 2 (0.15)(0.021) 2
F=
r
=
0.2
= 0.00033 N
√2 with unit
v 2 (0.021) 2
a=
r
=
0.2
= 0.0022 ms -2
√3 with unit
[3 marks]

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 SKILL: UNDERSTANDING & CONCEPT

1. Diagram 1 shows planet Mars orbits the Sun in a circular motion with orbital period, T.

m = Mass of the Mars

M = Mass of the Sun
r = radius of orbit of Mars
v = linear speed of Mars

Diagram 1

(a) For planet Mars, write the formula for:

(i) gravitational force in terms of m, M and r

𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝐹=
𝑟!
(ii) centripetal force in terms of m, v and r
𝑚𝑣 !
𝐹=
𝑟
(iii) linear speed in terms of r and T
2𝜋𝑟
𝑣=
𝑇
(b) Derive an expression for the mass of the Sun in terms of r and T by using the three formulae in (a).

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 (c) Radius of orbit of Mars is r = 2.28 × 1011 m and its orbital period is T = 687 days.
Calculate the mass of the Sun.

1 day = 24 hours
1 hour = 3600 s
∴ T = 687 days = (687 x 24 x 3600)s

-4# (!.!2 5 )*"" )'

M=
(%.%' 5 )*!"" )(%2' 5 !- 5 "%**)#

M = 1.99 x 1030 kg

2. A satellite orbits the Earth with radius, r and orbital period, T.

(a) Write down the linear speed of the satellite in terms of r and T.

2𝜋𝑟
𝑣=
𝑇
(b) Use other suitable formulae to establish the
formula for linear speed of the satellite in
terms of r and M. M is the mass of the Earth.

(c) Why does the linear speed of a satellite

orbiting the Earth not depend on the mass of
the satellite?

• Satellites fall freely around the Earth with a central

2
acceleration = acceleration of gravity = a = v
r
• acceleration of gravity does not depend on the
mass of the object

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