For

1 Examiner’s
Use

1 (a) The Earth may be considered to be a uniform sphere of radius 6.38 × 106 m. Its mass is
assumed to be concentrated at its centre.

Given that the gravitational field strength at the Earth’s surface is 9.81 N kg–1, show that
the mass of the Earth is 5.99 × 1024 kg.

[2]

(b) A satellite is placed in geostationary orbit around the Earth.

(i) Calculate the angular speed of the satellite in its orbit.

angular speed = ........................................ rad s–1 [3]

(ii) Using the data in (a), determine the radius of the orbit.
Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

radius = ........................................ m [3]

 For
2 Examiner’s
Use

2 The orbit of the Earth, mass 6.0 × 1024 kg, may be assumed to be a circle of radius
1.5 × 1011 m with the Sun at its centre, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

Earth,
mass 6.0 x 1024 kg

Sun

1.5 x 1011 m

Fig. 1.1

The time taken for one orbit is 3.2 × 107 s.

(a) Calculate

(i) the magnitude of the angular velocity of the Earth about the Sun,

angular velocity = ............................... rad s–1 [2]

(ii) the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the Earth.

Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

force = ....................................... N [2]

 For
3 Examiner’s
Use

(b) (i) State the origin of the centripetal force calculated in (a)(ii).

...................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Determine the mass of the Sun.

mass = ..................................... kg [3]

Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

 4

For
Examiner’s
Use
3 (a) (i) Define the radian.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) A small mass is attached to a string. The mass is rotating about a fixed point P at
constant speed, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

mass rotating
at constant speed

Fig. 1.1

Explain what is meant by the angular speed about point P of the mass.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

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For
(b) A horizontal flat plate is free to rotate about a vertical axis through its centre, as shown Examiner’s
Use
in Fig. 1.2.

plate

M
d

Fig. 1.2

A small mass M is placed on the plate, a distance d from the axis of rotation.
The speed of rotation of the plate is gradually increased from zero until the mass is
seen to slide off the plate.

The maximum frictional force F between the plate and the mass is given by the
expression

F = 0.72W,

where W is the weight of the mass M.

The distance d is 35 cm.

Determine the maximum number of revolutions of the plate per minute for the mass M to
remain on the plate. Explain your working.

Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

number = ........................................... [5]

(c) The plate in (b) is covered, when stationary, with mud.

Suggest and explain whether mud near the edge of the plate or near the centre will first
leave the plate as the angular speed of the plate is slowly increased.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]
 For
6 Examiner’s
Use

4 A particle is following a circular path and is observed to have an angular displacement

of 10.3°.

(a) Express this angle in radians (rad). Show your working and give your answer to three
significant figures.

angle = ...............................................rad [2]

(b) (i) Determine tan10.3° to three significant figures.

tan10.3° = ..........................................................

(ii) Hence calculate the percentage error that is made when the angle 10.3°, as
measured in radians, is assumed to be equal to tan10.3°.

percentage error = ..........................................................

[3]
Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya
 For
7 Examiner’s
Use

5 (a) Explain

(i) what is meant by a radian,

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) why one complete revolution is equivalent to an angular displacement of 2π rad.

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]

(b) An elastic cord has an unextended length of 13.0 cm. One end of the cord is attached to
a fixed point C. A small mass of weight 5.0 N is hung from the free end of the cord. The
cord extends to a length of 14.8 cm, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

14.8 cm

small
mass

Fig. 1.1

The cord and mass are now made to rotate at constant angular speed ω in a vertical
plane about point C. When the cord is vertical and above C, its length is the unextended
length of 13.0 cm, as shown in Fig. 1.2.
Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya
 For
8 Examiner’s
Use

13.0 cm

C
C

Fig. 1.2 Fig. 1.3

(i) Show that the angular speed ω of the cord and mass is 8.7 rad s–1.

[2]

(ii) The cord and mass rotate so that the cord is vertically below C, as shown in
Fig. 1.3.

Calculate the length L of the cord, assuming it obeys Hooke’s law.

Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

L = ............................................ cm [4]
 9

For
6 A spherical planet has mass M and radius R. Examiner’s
Use
The planet may be assumed to be isolated in space and to have its mass concentrated at its
centre.
The planet spins on its axis with angular speed ω, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

mass m

equator of
planet

pole of
planet

Fig. 1.1

A small object of mass m rests on the equator of the planet. The surface of the planet exerts
a normal reaction force on the mass.

(a) State formulae, in terms of M, m, R and ω, for

(i) the gravitational force between the planet and the object,

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) the centripetal force required for circular motion of the small mass,

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iii) the normal reaction exerted by the planet on the mass.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]
Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

(b) (i) Explain why the normal reaction on the mass will have different values at the
equator and at the poles.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]
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For
Examiner’s
(ii) The radius of the planet is 6.4 × completes one revolution in 8.6 ×
106 m. It 104 s. Use
Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration at

1. the equator,

acceleration = .........................................m s–2 [2]

2. one of the poles.

acceleration = .........................................m s–2 [1]

(c) Suggest two factors that could, in the case of a real planet, cause variations in the
acceleration of free fall at its surface.

1. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

2. ......................................................................................................................................
Compiled and rearranged by Sajit Chandra Shakya

..........................................................................................................................................
[2]