Question 1

In planetary motion the line from the star to the planet sweeps out equal areas in equal times. This is a direct consequence of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the conservation of energy 
B)  the conservation of momentum 
C)  the conservation of angular momentum 
D)  the conservation of mass 
E)  none of the above 
A)  the conservation of energy 
B)  the conservation of momentum 
C)  the conservation of angular momentum 
D)  the conservation of mass 
E)  none of the above C

Question 2

An artificial Earth satellite is moved from a circular orbit with radius R to a circular orbit with radius 2R. During this move:

Accepted Answer

A)  the gravitational force does positive work, the kinetic energy of the satellite increases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system increases 
B)  the gravitational force does positive work, the kinetic energy of the satellite increases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system decreases 
C)  the gravitational force does positive work, the kinetic energy of the satellite decreases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system increases 
D)  the gravitational force does negative work, the kinetic energy of the satellite system increases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system decreases 
E)  the gravitational force does negative work, the kinetic energy of the satellite decreases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system increases 
A)  the gravitational force does positive work, the kinetic energy of the satellite increases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system increases 
B)  the gravitational force does positive work, the kinetic energy of the satellite increases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system decreases 
C)  the gravitational force does positive work, the kinetic energy of the satellite decreases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system increases 
D)  the gravitational force does negative work, the kinetic energy of the satellite system increases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system decreases 
E)  the gravitational force does negative work, the kinetic energy of the satellite decreases, and the potential energy of the Earth-satellite system increases E

Question 3

An astronaut finishes some work on the outside of his satellite, which is in circular orbit around the Earth. He leaves his wrench outside the satellite. If there is no air resistance, the wrench will:

Accepted Answer

A)  fall directly down to the Earth 
B)  continue in orbit at reduced speed 
C)  continue in orbit with the satellite 
D)  fly off tangentially into space 
E)  spiral down to the Earth 
A)  fall directly down to the Earth 
B)  continue in orbit at reduced speed 
C)  continue in orbit with the satellite 
D)  fly off tangentially into space 
E)  spiral down to the Earth C

Question 4

In the formula F = Gm1m2/r2, the quantity G:

Accepted Answer

A)  depends on the local value of g 
B)  is used only when the Earth is one of the two masses 
C)  is greatest at the surface of the Earth 
D)  is a universal constant of nature 
E)  is related to the Sun in the same way that g is related to the Earth 
A)  depends on the local value of g 
B)  is used only when the Earth is one of the two masses 
C)  is greatest at the surface of the Earth 
D)  is a universal constant of nature 
E)  is related to the Sun in the same way that g is related to the Earth

Question 5

If Earth were to rotate only 100 times per year about its axis:

Accepted Answer

A)  airplanes flying west to east would make better time 
B)  we would fly off Earth's surface 
C)  our apparent weight would slightly increase 
D)  Earth's atmosphere would float into outer space 
E)  our apparent weight would slightly decrease 
A)  airplanes flying west to east would make better time 
B)  we would fly off Earth's surface 
C)  our apparent weight would slightly increase 
D)  Earth's atmosphere would float into outer space 
E)  our apparent weight would slightly decrease

Question 6

A projectile is fired straight upward from Earth's surface with a speed that is half the escape speed. If R is the radius of Earth, the highest altitude reached, measured from the surface, is:

Accepted Answer

A)  R/4 
B)  R/3 
C)  R/2 
D)  R 
E)  2R 
A)  R/4 
B)  R/3 
C)  R/2 
D)  R 
E)  2R

Question 7

Mars has a mass of about 0.1075 times the mass of Earth and a diameter of about 0.533 times the diameter of Earth. The acceleration of a body falling near the surface of Mars is about:

Accepted Answer

A)  0.30 m/s2 
B)  1.4 m/s2 
C)  2.0 m/s2 
D)  3.7 m/s2 
E)  26 m/s2 
A)  0.30 m/s2 
B)  1.4 m/s2 
C)  2.0 m/s2 
D)  3.7 m/s2 
E)  26 m/s2

Question 8

A planet travels in an elliptical orbit about a star X as shown. The magnitude of the acceleration of the planet is:

Accepted Answer

A)  greatest at point Q 
B)  greatest at point S 
C)  greatest at point U 
D)  greatest at point W 
E)  the same at all points 
A)  greatest at point Q 
B)  greatest at point S 
C)  greatest at point U 
D)  greatest at point W 
E)  the same at all points

Question 9

A planet is in circular orbit around the Sun. Its distance from the Sun is four times the average distance of Earth from the Sun. The period of this planet is:

Accepted Answer

A)  4 Earth years 
B)  8 Earth years 
C)  16 Earth years 
D)  64 Earth years 
E)  2.5 Earth years 
A)  4 Earth years 
B)  8 Earth years 
C)  16 Earth years 
D)  64 Earth years 
E)  2.5 Earth years

Question 10

Let F1 be the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the Sun by Earth and F2 be the magnitude of the force exerted on Earth by the Sun. Then:

Accepted Answer

A)  F1 is much greater than F2 
B)  F1 is slightly greater than F2 
C)  F1 is equal to F2 
D)  F1 is slightly less than F2 
E)  F1 is much less than F2 
A)  F1 is much greater than F2 
B)  F1 is slightly greater than F2 
C)  F1 is equal to F2 
D)  F1 is slightly less than F2 
E)  F1 is much less than F2

Question 11

Planet 1 and planet 2 are both in circular orbits around the same central star. The orbit of planet 2 has a radius that is much larger than the radius of the orbit of planet 1. This means that:

Accepted Answer

A)  the period of planet 1 is greater than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is greater than the speed of planet 2 
B)  the period of planet 1 is greater than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is less than the speed of planet 2 
C)  the period of planet 1 is less than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is less than the speed of planet 2 
D)  the period of planet 1 is less than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is greater than the speed of planet 2 
E)  the planets have the same speed and the same period 
A)  the period of planet 1 is greater than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is greater than the speed of planet 2 
B)  the period of planet 1 is greater than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is less than the speed of planet 2 
C)  the period of planet 1 is less than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is less than the speed of planet 2 
D)  the period of planet 1 is less than the period of planet 2 and the speed of planet 1 is greater than the speed of planet 2 
E)  the planets have the same speed and the same period

Question 12

Given the perihelion distance, aphelion distance, and speed at perihelion of a planet, which of the following CANNOT be calculated?

Accepted Answer

A)  the mass of the star 
B)  the mass of the planet 
C)  the speed of the planet at aphelion 
D)  the period of orbit 
E)  the semimajor axis of the orbit 
A)  the mass of the star 
B)  the mass of the planet 
C)  the speed of the planet at aphelion 
D)  the period of orbit 
E)  the semimajor axis of the orbit

Question 13

The approximate value of g at an altitude above Earth equal to one Earth diameter is:

Accepted Answer

A)  9.8 m/s2 
B)  4.9 m/s2 
C)  2.5 m/s2 
D)  1.9 m/s2 
E)  1.1 m/s2 
A)  9.8 m/s2 
B)  4.9 m/s2 
C)  2.5 m/s2 
D)  1.9 m/s2 
E)  1.1 m/s2

Question 14

To measure the mass of a planet with the same radius as Earth, an astronaut drops an object from rest (relative to the planet) from an altitude of one radius above the surface. When the object hits its speed is 4 times what it would be if the same experiment were carried out for Earth. In units of ME (the mass of the Earth), the mass of the planet is:

Accepted Answer

A)  2 ME 
B)  4 ME 
C)  8 ME 
D)  16 ME 
E)  32 ME 
A)  2 ME 
B)  4 ME 
C)  8 ME 
D)  16 ME 
E)  32 ME

Question 15

The mass of an object:

Accepted Answer

A)  is slightly different at different locations on the Earth 
B)  is a vector 
C)  is independent of the acceleration due to gravity 
D)  is the same for all objects of the same size and shape 
E)  can be measured directly and accurately on a spring scale 
A)  is slightly different at different locations on the Earth 
B)  is a vector 
C)  is independent of the acceleration due to gravity 
D)  is the same for all objects of the same size and shape 
E)  can be measured directly and accurately on a spring scale

Question 16

The mass density of a certain planet has spherical symmetry but varies in such a way that the mass inside every spherical surface with center at the center of the planet is proportional to the radius of the surface. If r is the distance from the center of the planet to a point mass inside the planet, the gravitational force on the mass is:

Accepted Answer

A)  not dependent on r 
B)  proportional to r2 
C)  proportional to r 
D)  proportional to 1/r 
E)  proportional to 1/r2 
A)  not dependent on r 
B)  proportional to r2 
C)  proportional to r 
D)  proportional to 1/r 
E)  proportional to 1/r2

Question 17

An object is raised from the surface of Earth to a height of two Earth radii above Earth. Then:

Accepted Answer

A)  its mass increases and its weight remains constant 
B)  both its mass and weight remain constant 
C)  its mass remains constant and its weight decreases 
D)  both its mass and its weight decrease 
E)  its mass remains constant and its weight increases 
A)  its mass increases and its weight remains constant 
B)  both its mass and weight remain constant 
C)  its mass remains constant and its weight decreases 
D)  both its mass and its weight decrease 
E)  its mass remains constant and its weight increases

Question 18

The elliptical orbit of a planet around the Sun is shown on the diagram. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  the eccentricity of the orbit is less than zero 
B)  the eccentricity of the orbit is greater than 1 
C)  the sun might be at point C 
D)  the sun might be at point D 
E)  the sun might be at point B 
A)  the eccentricity of the orbit is less than zero 
B)  the eccentricity of the orbit is greater than 1 
C)  the sun might be at point C 
D)  the sun might be at point D 
E)  the sun might be at point B

Question 19

The escape velocity at the surface of Earth is approximately 11 km/s. What is the mass, in units of ME (the mass of the Earth), of a planet with twice the radius of Earth for which the escape speed is twice that for Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  2 ME 
B)  4 ME 
C)  8 ME 
D)  1/2 ME 
E)  1/4 ME 
A)  2 ME 
B)  4 ME 
C)  8 ME 
D)  1/2 ME 
E)  1/4 ME

Question 20

The magnitude of the acceleration of a planet in orbit around the Sun is proportional to:

Accepted Answer

A)  the mass of the planet 
B)  the mass of the Sun 
C)  the distance between the planet and the Sun 
D)  the reciprocal of the distance between the planet and the Sun 
E)  the product of the mass of the planet and the mass of the Sun 
A)  the mass of the planet 
B)  the mass of the Sun 
C)  the distance between the planet and the Sun 
D)  the reciprocal of the distance between the planet and the Sun 
E)  the product of the mass of the planet and the mass of the Sun

Exam 13: Gravitation

In planetary motion the line from the star to the planet sweeps out equal areas in equal times. This is a direct consequence of:

An artificial Earth satellite is moved from a circular orbit with radius R to a circular orbit with radius 2R. During this move:

An astronaut finishes some work on the outside of his satellite, which is in circular orbit around the Earth. He leaves his wrench outside the satellite. If there is no air resistance, the wrench will:

In the formula F = Gm1m2/r2, the quantity G:

If Earth were to rotate only 100 times per year about its axis:

A projectile is fired straight upward from Earth's surface with a speed that is half the escape speed. If R is the radius of Earth, the highest altitude reached, measured from the surface, is:

Mars has a mass of about 0.1075 times the mass of Earth and a diameter of about 0.533 times the diameter of Earth. The acceleration of a body falling near the surface of Mars is about:

A planet travels in an elliptical orbit about a star X as shown. The magnitude of the acceleration of the planet is:

A planet is in circular orbit around the Sun. Its distance from the Sun is four times the average distance of Earth from the Sun. The period of this planet is:

Let F1 be the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the Sun by Earth and F2 be the magnitude of the force exerted on Earth by the Sun. Then:

Planet 1 and planet 2 are both in circular orbits around the same central star. The orbit of planet 2 has a radius that is much larger than the radius of the orbit of planet 1. This means that:

Given the perihelion distance, aphelion distance, and speed at perihelion of a planet, which of the following CANNOT be calculated?

The approximate value of g at an altitude above Earth equal to one Earth diameter is:

The mass of an object:

An object is raised from the surface of Earth to a height of two Earth radii above Earth. Then:

The elliptical orbit of a planet around the Sun is shown on the diagram. Which of the following statements is true?

The escape velocity at the surface of Earth is approximately 11 km/s. What is the mass, in units of ME (the mass of the Earth), of a planet with twice the radius of Earth for which the escape speed is twice that for Earth?

The magnitude of the acceleration of a planet in orbit around the Sun is proportional to:

Measurement

Motion Along a Straight Line

Vector

Motion in Two and Three Dimensions

Force and Motion I

Force and Motion II

Kinetic Energy and Work

Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy

Center of Mass and Linear Momentum

Rotation

Rolling, Torque, and Angular Momentum

Equilibrium and Elasticity

Fluids

Oscillations

Waves I

Waves II

Temperature, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics

The Kinetic Theory of Gases

Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Electric Charge

Electric Fields

Gauss Law

Electric Potential

Capacitance

Current and Resistance

Circuits

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Fields Due to Currents

Induction and Inductance

Electromagnetic Oscillations and Alternating Current

Maxwells Equations; Magnetism of Matter

Electromagnetic Waves

Images

Interference

Diffraction

Relativity

Photons and Matter Waves

More About Matter Waves

All About Atoms

Conduction of Electricity in Solids

Nuclear Physics

Energy From the Nucleus

Quarks, Leptons, and the Big Bang

Filters

In the formula F = Gm₁m₂/r², the quantity G:

Let F₁ be the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted on the Sun by Earth and F₂ be the magnitude of the force exerted on Earth by the Sun. Then:

The escape velocity at the surface of Earth is approximately 11 km/s. What is the mass, in units of M_E (the mass of the Earth), of a planet with twice the radius of Earth for which the escape speed is twice that for Earth?