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Physics
9th -
12thgrade
Universal Gravitation and Orbital Motion Review
15 questions
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- 1. Multiple Choice
Two satellites of equal mass are in circular orbit around a planet. Satellite b is twice as far out. Which feels a stronger gravitational force?
Satellite a
Satellite b
Both the same
- 2. Multiple Choice
Two satellites of equal mass are in circular orbit around a planet. Satellite b is twice as far out. How much stronger is the planet’s gravity on satellite a (compared to satellite b)?
2× as much
3× as much
4× as much
5× as much
- 3. Multiple Choice
What did Newton say about the gravitational force between distant objects?
It is independent of distance
It is inversely related to distance squared
It is proportional to distance squared
It is inversely related to mass squared
It is zero, unless the objects are touching
- 4. Multiple Choice
The space shuttle is orbiting the Earth clockwise. Which vector shows the direction of the gravitational force acting on the shuttle?
a
b
c
d
- 5. Multiple Choice
The space shuttle is orbiting the Earth clockwise. Which vector shows the direction of the shuttle's instantaneous velocity?
a
b
c
d
- 6. Multiple Choice
Why do astronauts in this space shuttle feel weightless?
They are in free fall, at the same rate as the shuttle
There is an equal force pulling them away from Earth
The gravity at that distance is too small to feel
They pull on Earth as hard as it pulls on them
- 7. Multiple Choice
An asteroid is headed for Earth! It was first spotted when it was 8 billion miles away. Now that it is only 2 billion miles away, the gravitational force pulling it down is ___× as much.
4
8
16
32
64
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which diagram best shows the gravitational interaction between Earth and a satellite?
- 9. Multiple Choice
Earth pulls satellite, and satellite pulls Earth. Which of the forces is stronger?
Earth pulling satellite
Satellite pulling Earth
Both the same
Not enough information to determine
- 10. Multiple Choice
If you climb up a ladder does your weight change?
Yes, but only by a tiny amount too small to measure
Yes, that is why you fall slowly at first, then accelerate
No, your weight is constant wherever you go
No, your increased height is canceled out by Earth’s increased distance
- 11. Multiple Choice
If you could go to the center of the Earth, how would your weight change?
increase a lot
increase slightly
stay the same
decrease slightly
become zero
- 12. Multiple Choice
You want to launch a satellite into Earth orbit. You already know Earth’s mass, and the satellite’s mass. What additional information do you need to calculate the gravitational force that will act on it?
The height it will have
The acceleration of gravity at the surface
Earth's distance from the Sun
The satellite's size
- 13. Multiple Choice
Why doesn't the Moon fall to the ground?
It has too much mass to move
It pulls Earth with an equal force
It is fast enough to make a circle
It is too far away to feel its gravity
- 14. Multiple Choice
The objects attract each other with a small gravitational force. If the left mass tripled and the distance doubled, the force will be ___× as much.
.22
.67
.75
1.33
1.5
- 15. Multiple Choice
At height x above Earth’s surface the gravitational acceleration is 2m/s². At height y the gravitational acceleration is 5m/s². Which is higher?
Point Y
Point X
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