4.06 Notes answers.

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UNIT 4.06 NOTES – GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL - ANSWERS

1. 𝛥𝑊 = 𝛥𝑉 × 𝑚 = 200 × 400 = 80 000 J

2(a) 𝛥𝑉 = 𝑔 × 𝛥𝑟 = 9.81  6.0 = 58.86 J kg-1

2(b) 𝛥𝑊 = 𝛥𝑉 × 𝑚 = 58.86  50 = 2.94  103 J

2(c) 𝛥𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 𝑔 𝛥ℎ = 50  9.81  6 = 2.94  103 J

{This should be obvious: if we used ℎ instead of 𝛥𝑟 in (a) then the first step calculates 𝑔 𝛥ℎ
and the second multiplies by 𝑚.}

3(a) 𝛥𝑉 = 𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑑 − 𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 = (− 5.2  107 ) − (−8.3  107 ) = + 3.1  107 J kg-1
{Gravitational potential (and also GPE) has ‘increased’ i.e. has become less negative as the
satellite has gained height.}

3(b) 𝛥𝑊 = 𝛥𝑉 × 𝑚 = 3.1  107  4 000 = 1.24  1011 J

𝐺𝑀 6.67 × 10−11 × 5.97 × 1024

4. 𝑉=− = = − 6.25  107 J kg-1
𝑟 6.37 × 106

5(a) (i) 𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 𝑔 𝛥ℎ = 2  10  0.8 = 16 J {Or use 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑔 and then 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝐹𝑠}

(ii) 𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 𝑔 𝛥ℎ = 2  10  0.7 = 14 J
(iii) 𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 𝑔 𝛥ℎ = 2  10  1.0 = 20 J

𝛥𝑊
5(b) (i) 𝛥𝑉 = = 16 ÷ 2 = 8 J kg-1
𝑚
𝛥𝑊
(ii) 𝛥𝑉 = = 14 ÷ 2 = 7 J kg-1
𝑚
𝛥𝑊
(iii) 𝛥𝑉 = = 20 ÷ 2 = 10 J kg-1
𝑚

5(c) 𝛥𝑉 = 8 + 7 + 10 = 25 J kg-1

A B C
5(d)
25 J kg-1 0 J kg-1 17 J kg-1
Ceiling

1.00 m

Clamp 15 J kg-1 - 10 J kg-1 7 J kg-1

stand

0.70 m
Bench 8 J kg-1 - 17 J kg-1 0 J kg-1

0.80 m

Floor 0 J kg-1 - 25 J kg-1 - 8 J kg-1

The potential differences are the important bit. If an object falls from clamp stand to floor then
all scales agree that the object will lose 15 J kg-1. The lost GPE turns into KE and so all scales
will agree on the speed with which the object hits the ground.
Where zero lies on the scale is irrelevant. For planets and orbits, zero is always placed at infinity.
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6. (a) is exactly the same as in the previous booklet: 𝑔 ∝ 1/𝑟 2 i.e. an inverse square relationship.

𝑔 𝑉

𝑅 2𝑅 3𝑅 4𝑅
𝑔𝑅 0 𝑟
1
1 4
3
1
2
1
4
1 1
9 16
0 𝑟 − 𝑉𝑅
𝑅 2𝑅 3𝑅 4𝑅
(b) shows an inverse proportional relationship as 𝑉 ∝ 1/𝑟.
This is a more gentle curve but clearly NOT a straight line. Inverse proportion is not simply
direct proportion with a negative gradient.
To draw either curve well, we’d expect to see at least 3 points plotted (probably at 𝑅, 2𝑅 and
4𝑅.)

𝛥𝑉
7. We know that 𝑔 = − . On a 𝑉 − 𝑟 graph, 𝑔 is the gradient of the graph!
𝛥𝑟

Height above surface of moon, ℎ / km

0 500 1000 1500
-1.4
r
-1.6

-1.8

-2
Potential, 𝑉 V
/ MJ kg-1
-2.2

-2.4
Tangent intersecting
curve at 600m
-2.6

-2.8

-3

𝛥𝑉 (−1.6 − −2.6) × 106 1.0 × 106

𝑔= = 3
= = 0.87 N kg −1
𝛥𝑟 (1150 − 0) × 10 1.15 × 106

You know from practical work that you MUST use the largest gradient triangle possible (e.g. in
your own practical graphs, a minimum 8 cm by 8cm triangle) to ensure you get the most
accurate answer possible.
Using tiny little gradient triangles is a disaster that will guarantee you lose marks due to
inaccurate answers!
4.06 Notes answers.docx Page 3 of 5

𝐺𝑀 6.67 × 10−11 × 1.99 × 1030

8(a) 𝑉=− =− = − 1.91  1011 J kg-1
𝑟 6.96 × 108

8(b) At ‘infinity’ potential is zero.

𝛥𝑉 = 𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑑 − 𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 = 0 – (− 1.91  1011) = + 1.91  1011 J kg-1 {The proton gains GP(E)}
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑝 𝛥𝑉 = 1.673  10-27  1.91  1011 = 3.19  10-16 J
(The answer depends on how many sig figs used for proton rest mass: don’t worry about this.)

8(c) All the gained gravitational potential energy must have come from the proton’s initial kinetic
energy, so the answer to (b) is also the proton’s initial KE
1
𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑣 2 = 3.19  10-16
2

𝑣 = 2  3.19  10-16  (1.673  10-27) = 3.81(53)  1011

2

𝑣 = 6.18  105 m s-1

{A lot of exam questions involve initial KE becoming final PE or vice-versa.}

9. This is a standard exam derivation – make sure that you can do it.
It is very, very important you use the variables given to you in the question i.e. it is NOT 𝑟 but
𝑅. Making up your own symbols will lose credit.

Initial KE of object = change in GPE from planet’s surface to infinity

𝐺𝑀
½ 𝑚 𝑣 2 = 𝑚 𝛥𝑉 = 𝑚 (𝑉∞ − 𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 ) = 𝑚 (0 − 𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 ) = 𝑚 ×
𝑅
2𝐺𝑀
Cancel m’s and multiply by two 𝑣2 = (and square rooting gives answer)
𝑅

10. Find the potential at the start and end first:

𝐺𝑀 6.67 × 10−11 × 6.42 × 1023

𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 = − = − = − 1.26(69) × 107 J kg −1
𝑟 3.38 × 106

𝐺𝑀 6.67 × 10−11 × 6.42 × 1023

𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑑 = − = − = − 1.10(36) × 107 J kg −1
𝑟 (3.38 × 106 + 500 × 103 )

Now find the gravitational PD, 𝛥𝑉

𝛥𝑉 = 𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑑 − 𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 = − 1.10(36)  107 − (− 1.26(69)  107) = 1.63(3)  106 J kg-1

Finally, calculate the work done

𝑊 = 𝑚 𝛥𝑉 = 2.0  103  1.633  106 = 3.27  109 J

11. Find the GPEs at both points:

𝐺𝑀𝑚 6.67 × 10−11 × 6.42 × 1023 × 2.0 × 103
𝐺𝑃𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 = − =− = −2.53(38) × 1010 J
𝑟 3.38 × 106

𝐺𝑀𝑚 6.67 × 10−11 × 6.42 × 1023 × 2.0 × 103

𝐺𝑃𝐸𝑒𝑛𝑑 = − =− = −2.20(73) × 1010 J
𝑟 (3.38 × 106 + 0.5 × 106 )

Gain in GPE = GPEend – GPEstart = − 2.20(73)×1010 – (− 2.53(38)  1010 = 3.27  109 J

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12(a)
𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑀
∆𝑉 = 𝑉𝑒𝑛𝑑 − 𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 = (− ) − (− )
𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡

Take the −𝐺𝑀 term ‘outside the brackets’ to get the answer (if you’re unsure than multiply it
back inside the brackets in the answer to get the original algebra)

12(b) The gain in GPE would equal the work done against gravity.
Combine the previous formula with 𝑊 = 𝑚 𝛥𝑉
1 1
𝑊 = 𝛥𝐺𝑃𝐸 = −𝐺𝑀𝑚 ( − )
𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡

𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑀𝑚
13(a) 𝑉 = − and 𝐸𝑝 = 𝑚 × 𝑉 ∴ 𝐸𝑝 = −
𝑟 𝑟

13(b) (i) {As last week} Centripetal force = Gravitational force

2
𝑚𝑣 𝐺𝑀𝑚
=
𝑟 𝑟2
Divide both sides by 𝑚 and multiply by 𝑟
𝐺𝑀
𝑣2 =
𝑟

1 𝐺𝑀𝑚
(ii) Just multiply by ½ 𝑚 : 𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚 𝑣 2 =
2 2𝑟

(iii) GPE is just 𝐸𝑝 from (a):

𝐺𝑀𝑚 2𝐺𝑀𝑚 𝐺𝑀𝑚 − 2𝐺𝑀𝑚 𝐺𝑀𝑚
∴ 𝐸𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐾𝐸 + 𝑃𝐸 = + (− )= =−
2𝑟 2𝑟 2𝑟 2𝑟

13(c) ‘Skimming through the atmosphere’ should put you in mind of drag or air resistance. It is always
the case that any work done against resistive forces leads to wasted energy.
The overall energy of the satellite must fall as a result – it is already negative but will become
more negative. This will require 𝑟 to become smaller, so the satellite spirals in towards the planet.

14(a) (i) First work out 𝛥𝑉 for the Earth’s mass, measuring all distances from the Earth’s centre.
1 1 1 1
𝛥𝑉 = −𝐺𝑀 ( − ) = − 6.67 × 10−11 × 5.97 × 1024 ( 6
− )
𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 6.37 × 10 2.5 × 1011 )
𝛥𝑉𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ = − 6.25  107 J kg-1

(ii) Work out 𝛥𝑉 for the Sun, using its mass and the distance from the centre of the Sun.
1 1
𝛥𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑛 = − 6.67 × 10−11 × 1.99 × 1030 ( 11
− )
4.0 × 10 (1.5 × 10 + 6.37 × 106 )
11

𝛥𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑛 = − 5.53  108 J kg-1

(iii) Potential and potential energy are scalars.

Simply add (i) and (ii) together to get 𝛥𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = − 6.16  108 J kg-1
4.06 Notes answers.docx Page 5 of 5

4
14(b) (i) 𝑉 = 𝜋 𝑟 3 = 4/3 𝜋  503 = 5.24  105 m3
3

𝑚 = 𝜌 𝑉 = 2 700  5.24  105 = 1.41  109 kg

(ii) 𝛥𝐺𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚 𝛥𝑉 = 1.41  109  6.16  108 = 8.71  1017 J

Even if the asteroid has 0 KE at the start of its fall towards Earth then the lost GPe will turn
into KE as it moves through space.

14(c) Just divide the previous answer by 4.2  109 J to get 2.1  108 tonnes of TNT (and bye, bye
dinosaurs!)

15. The point of this question is just to get you thinking about when and how to use each equation.
If you disagree with any comments then please talk to your teacher.

Gravitational
When can you use this equation?
equation

Finding the force between any two (point) masses 𝑚1 and 𝑚2

𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
𝐹 = It represents Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation (without the comment on
𝑟2
gravitational force always being attractive)

Can be used in all circumstances: uniform, radial or something else entirely.

A small mass is ‘experiencing’ the field created by another mass or masses.
𝐹
𝑔= Defines a quantity: gravitational field strength.
𝑚
{Rewritten slightly, it becomes the more familiar 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔 from GCSE. It is
written in this way as it then defines 𝑔. The use of 𝐹 also avoids a confusion
where 𝑊 could represent weight or work.}

Definitely a radial field equation (look at the 𝑟 term).

𝐺𝑀
𝑔= 2 Large mass 𝑀 is ‘creating’ a field in the space around it.
𝑟
Just a general equation (it can only be used for the effect from a single mass).

In all circumstances.
A small mass 𝑚 is ‘experiencing’ the field or potential created by another
𝛥𝑊 = 𝑚 𝛥𝑉 mass or masses.
Just a general equation. (We don’t have to be able to define potential
difference, otherwise it would be written in the form 𝛥𝑉 = 𝑊/𝑚.)

Only as a radial field equation (look at the 𝑟 term).

𝐺𝑀
𝑉= − A large mass 𝑀 is ‘creating’ potential in the space around it.
𝑟
Just a general equation (and certainly NOT the definition of potential)

It depends. It works perfectly well in a uniform field. In a radial field, where 𝑔

𝛥𝑉 changes with 𝑟 : you need the gradient of a 𝑉 − 𝑟 graph; or you can calculate
𝑔= − the average field strength between two points separated by 𝛥𝑟.
𝛥𝑟
It is the definition of potential gradient.