Chapter 13—Universal Gravitation

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A satellite circles planet Roton every 2.8 h in an orbit having a radius of 1.2 ´ 107 m. If the radius of
Roton is 5.0 ´ 106 m, what is the magnitude of the free-fall acceleration on the surface of Roton?
a. 31 m/s2
b. 27 m/s2
c. 34 m/s2
d. 40 m/s2
e. 19 m/s2
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

2. The period of a satellite circling planet Nutron is observed to be 84 s when it is in a circular orbit with
a radius of 8.0 ´ 106 m. What is the mass of planet Nutron?
a. 6.2 ´ 1028 kg
b. 5.0 ´ 1028 kg
c. 5.5 ´ 1028 kg
d. 4.3 ´ 1028 kg
e. 3.7 ´ 1028 kg
ANS: D PTS: 2 DIF: Average

3. A 50-kg satellite circles planet Cruton every 5.6 h in an orbit with a radius of 12 ´ 106 m. What is the
magnitude of the gravitational force on the satellite by planet Cruton?
a. 63 N
b. 58 N
c. 68 N
d. 73 N
e. 50 N
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

4. Two stars of masses M and 6M are separated by a distance D. Determine the distance (measured from
M) to a point at which the net gravitational force on a third mass would be zero.
a. 0.41 D
b. 0.33 D
c. 0.37 D
d. 0.29 D
e. 0.14 D
ANS: D PTS: 2 DIF: Average

5. What is the magnitude of the free-fall acceleration at a point that is a distance 2R above the surface of
the Earth, where R is the radius of the Earth?
a. 4.8 m/s2
b. 1.1 m/s2
c. 3.3 m/s2
d. 2.5 m/s2
e. 6.5 m/s2
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average
6. A satellite is in a circular orbit about the Earth at an altitude at which air resistance is negligible.
Which of the following statements is true?
a. There is only one force acting on the satellite.
b. There are two forces acting on the satellite, and their resultant is zero.
c. There are two forces acting on the satellite, and their resultant is not zero.
d. There are three forces acting on the satellite.
e. None of the preceding statements are correct.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

Exhibit 13-1
Three 5.0-kg masses are located at points in the xy plane as shown in the figure.

Use this exhibit to answer the following question(s).

7. Refer to Exhibit 13-1. What is the magnitude of the resultant force (caused by the other two masses)
on the mass at the origin?
a. 2.7 ´ 10-8 N
b. 2.1 ´ 10-8 N
c. 1.8 ´ 10-8 N
d. 2.4 ´ 10-8 N
e. 2.9 ´ 10-8 N
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

8. Refer to Exhibit 13-1. What is the magnitude of the resultant force (caused by the other two masses)
on the mass at x = 0.40 m, y = 0?
a. 2.2 ´ 10-8 N
b. 1.9 ´ 10-8 N
c. 1.4 ´ 10-8 N
d. 1.6 ´ 10-8 N
e. 2.5 ´ 10-8 N
ANS: D PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

9. Three 5.0-kg masses are located at points in the xy plane, as shown. What is the magnitude of the
resultant force (caused by the other two masses) on the mass at x = 0, y = 0.30 m?
 a. 2.6 ´ 10-8 N
b. 2.0 ´ 10-8 N
c. 2.9 ´ 10-8 N
d. 2.3 ´ 10-8 N
e. 2.1 ´ 10-8 N
ANS: D PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

10. What is the gravitational force on a 20-kg satellite circling the Earth (radius = 6.4 ´ 106 m, mass = 6.0
´ 1024 kg) with a period of 5.0 h?
a. 88 N
b. 55 N
c. 36 N
d. 98 N
e. 18 N
ANS: C PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

11. A spaceship of mass m circles a planet (mass = M) in an orbit of radius R. How much energy is
required to transfer the spaceship to a circular orbit of radius 3R?
a. GmM/(2R)
b. GmM/(3R)
c. GmM/(4R)
d. GmM/(6R)
e. 3GmM/(4R)
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

12. A spacecraft (mass = m) orbits a planet (mass = M) in a circular orbit (radius = R). What is the
minimum energy required to send this spacecraft to a distant point in space where the gravitational
force on the spacecraft by the planet is negligible?
a. GmM/(4R)
b. GmM/R
c. GmM/(2R)
d. GmM/(3R)
e. 2GmM/(5R)
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

13. A projectile is launched from the surface of a planet (mass = M, radius = R). What minimum launch
speed is required if the projectile is to rise to a height of 2R above the surface of the planet? Disregard
any dissipative effects of the atmosphere.
 a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

ANS: A PTS: 2 DIF: Average

14. An object is released from rest at a distance h above the surface of a planet (mass = M, radius = R < h).
With what speed will the object strike the surface of the planet? Disregard any dissipative effects of the
atmosphere of the planet.
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

ANS: A PTS: 2 DIF: Average

15. What is the kinetic energy of a 200-kg satellite as it follows a circular orbit of radius 8.0 ´ 106 m
around the Earth? (Mass of Earth = 6.0 ´ 1024 kg.)
a. 5.0 ´ 109 J
b. 1.0 ´ 1010 J
c. 1.5 ´ 1010 J
d. 2.0 ´ 1010 J
e. 2.5 ´ 109 J
ANS: A PTS: 2 DIF: Average

16. An object is released from rest when it is a height h above the surface of a planet of mass M and radius
R. What is the speed of the object just before striking the surface of the planet? Neglect any air
resistance. Let h = 4.0 ´ 106 m, R = 5.0 ´ 106 m, and M = 4.0 ´ 1024 kg.
a. 7.8 km/s
b. 3.5 km/s
c. 5.4 km/s
d. 6.9 km/s
 e. 4.8 km/s
ANS: D PTS: 2 DIF: Average

17. A 50-kg satellite circles the Earth in an orbit with a period of 120 min. What minimum energy is
required to change the orbit to another circular orbit with a period of 180 min? (Earth: radius = 6.4 ´
106 m, mass = 6.0 ´ 1024 kg)
a. 2.9 ´ 108 J
b. 3.5 ´ 108 J
c. 4.1 ´ 108 J
d. 4.7 ´ 108 J
e. 5.9 ´ 108 J
ANS: A PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

18. Planet Roton has a mass of 4.0 ´ 1023 kg and a radius of 2.0 ´ 106 m. With what speed should a space
probe be launched from the surface of Roton so as to achieve a maximum distance of 3.0 ´ 106 m from
the center of Roton?
a. 4.2 km/s
b. 3.9 km/s
c. 3.0 km/s
d. 3.4 km/s
e. 6.0 km/s
ANS: C PTS: 2 DIF: Average

19. Planet Zero has a mass of 5.0 ´ 1023 kg and a radius of 2.0 ´ 106 m. A space probe is launched
vertically from the surface of Zero with an initial speed of 4.0 km/s. What is the speed of the probe
when it is 3.0 ´ 106 m from Zero's center?
a. 3.0 km/s
b. 2.2 km/s
c. 1.6 km/s
d. 3.7 km/s
e. 5.9 km/s
ANS: B PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

20. What is the escape speed from a planet of mass M and radius R if M = 3.2 ´ 1023 kg and R = 2.4 ´ 106
m?
a. 5.5 km/s
b. 4.2 km/s
c. 5.2 km/s
d. 4.8 km/s
e. 3.7 km/s
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

21. A satellite of mass m circles a planet of mass M and radius R in an orbit at a height 2R above the
surface of the planet. What minimum energy is required to change the orbit to one for which the height
of the satellite is 3R above the surface of the planet?
a.

b.
 c.

d.

e.

ANS: A PTS: 2 DIF: Average

22. Planet Zero has a mass of 4.0 ´ 1023 kg and a radius of 2.0 ´ 106 m. A 10-kg space probe is launched
vertically from the surface of Zero with an initial kinetic energy of 8.0 ´ 107 J. What maximum
distance from the center of Zero is achieved by the probe?
a. 3.2 ´ 106 m
b. 4.0 ´ 106 m
c. 6.0 ´ 106 m
d. 5.0 ´ 106 m
e. 2.5 ´ 106 m
ANS: D PTS: 2 DIF: Average

23. Two satellites are placed in geosynchronous orbits, orbits with a period of 24 hours, where each
satellite hovers over a spot on the Earth's equator. Satellite B has three times the mass of satellite A.
What is the relationship between the magnitudes of the gravitational forces of the Earth on the two
satellites?
a.
FB = FA.
b.
FB = FA.
c. FB = FA.
d. FB = 3FA.
e. FB = 9FA.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

24. A satellite is placed in a geosynchronous orbit. In this equatorial orbit with a period of 24 hours, the
satellite hovers over one point on the equator. Which statement is true for a satellite in such an orbit?
a. There is no gravitational force on the satellite.
b. There is no acceleration toward the center of the Earth.
c. The satellite is in a state of free fall toward the Earth.
d. There is a tangential force that helps the satellite keep up with the rotation of the Earth.
e. The force toward the center of the Earth is balanced by a force away from the center of
the Earth.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

25. Two identical planets orbit a star in concentric circular orbits in the star's equatorial plane. Of the two,
the planet that is farther from the star must have
a. the smaller period.
b. the greater period.
c. the smaller gravitational mass.
d. the larger gravitational mass.
e. the larger universal gravitational constant.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
26. Which of the following quantities is conserved for a planet orbiting a star in a circular orbit? Only the
planet itself is to be taken as the system; the star is not included.
a. Momentum and energy.
b. Energy and angular momentum.
c. Momentum and angular momentum.
d. Momentum, angular momentum and energy.
e. None of the above.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

27. The figure below shows a planet traveling in a counterclockwise direction on an elliptical path around
a star located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,

a. its speed is constant.

b. its speed is increasing.
c. its speed is decreasing.
d. its speed is a maximum.
e. its speed is a minimum.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

28. The figure below shows a planet traveling in a clockwise direction on an elliptical path around a star
located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,

a. its speed is constant.

b. its speed is increasing.
c. its speed is decreasing.
d. its speed is a maximum.
e. its speed is a minimum.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

29. The figure below shows a planet traveling in a counterclockwise direction on an elliptical path around
a star located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,
 a. its speed is constant.
b. its speed is increasing.
c. its speed is decreasing.
d. its speed is a maximum.
e. its speed is a minimum.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

30. The figure below shows a planet traveling in a counterclockwise direction on an elliptical path around
a star located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,

a. its speed is constant.

b. its speed is increasing.
c. its speed is decreasing.
d. its speed is a maximum.
e. its speed is a minimum.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

31. The figure below shows a planet traveling in a clockwise direction on an elliptical path around a star
located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,

a. its speed is constant.

b. its speed is increasing.
c. its speed is decreasing.
d. its speed is a maximum.
e. its speed is a minimum.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

32. The figure below shows a planet traveling in a counterclockwise direction on an elliptical path around
a star located at one focus of the ellipse. When the planet is at point A,
 a. its speed is decreasing.
b. its angular momentum is increasing.
c. the gravitational force does no work on the planet.
d. all of the above are correct.
e. none of the above is correct.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

33. The period of oscillation of a near-Earth satellite (neglecting atmospheric effects) is 84.3 min. What is
the period of a near-Moon satellite? (RE = 6.37 ´ 106 m; RM = 1.74 ´ 106 m; ME = 5.98 ´ 1024 kg; MM =
7.36 ´ 1022 kg.)
a. 6.03 ´ 10-3 min.
b. 0.713 min.
c. 84.3 min.
d. 108 min.
e. 140 min.
ANS: D PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

34. Three galaxies, each of mass M = 4.0 ´ 1041 kg, lie in a plane at the corners of an equilateral triangle
with sides of 5.0 ´ 1022 m length. The magnitude of the force the other two galaxies exert on each
galaxy is
a. 4.3 ´ 1027 N.
b. 6.4 ´ 1027 N.
c. 7.4 ´ 1027 N.
d. 8.6 ´ 1027 N.
e. 4.3 ´ 1028 N.
ANS: C PTS: 2 DIF: Average

35. Knowing that at sea level and that RE = 6.37 ´ 106 m, we find that the value of g in at a
distance RE from the surface of the Earth is
a. 1.23.
b. 2.45.
c. 4.90.
d. 7.35.
e. 9.80.
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

36. When two solid spheres of the same material and same radius r are in contact, the magnitude of the
gravitational force each exerts on the other is directly proportional to
a. r.
b. r2.
c. r3.
d. r4.
 e. r6.
ANS: D PTS: 2 DIF: Average

37. Huyghens claimed that near the surface of the Earth the velocity downwards of an object released from

rest, vy, was directly proportional to the square root of the distance it had fallen, . This is true
if c is equal to
a.
.
b.

.
c. g.
d.
.
e. 4g.
ANS: D PTS: 2 DIF: Average

38. Suppose the gravitational force of the Earth on a body was . What escape velocity ve
would a body need to escape the gravitational field of the Earth?
a.

.
b.

.
c.

.
d.

.
e.
.
ANS: B PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

39. In an isolated system of two bodies that exert gravitational forces on one another, the quantity
(quantities) that remain(s) constant is(are)
a. the total energy of the system.
b. the total angular momentum of the system.
c. the angular positions of the two bodies.
d. all of the above.
e. only (a) and (b) above.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

40. An asteroid revolves around the Sun with a perihelion 0.5 AU and an aphelion of 7.5 AU. What is its
period of revolution?
a. 4 years
 b. 8 years
c. 16 years
d. 32 years
e. 64 years
ANS: B PTS: 2 DIF: Average

41. A satellite revolves around the Earth in a circular orbit with a mechanical energy of J. What is its
kinetic energy?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

ANS: C PTS: 2 DIF: Average

42. Carla and Jenny are arguing about whether or not it is possible to escape the gravitational field of the
Earth. Carla shows Jenny a system where mass m is rE (not the Earth's radius) distant from Earth and
rP (not planet P's radius) distant from planet P, the mass being on the line connecting the Earth and
planet P. Carla states that the mass m has escaped if FP on m = -FE on m. Jenny disagrees. Which one, if
either, is correct, and why?
a. Carla, because the total gravitational force on m is zero at that point.
b. Carla, because there is no gravitational force from Earth on m at that point.
c. Carla, because there is no gravitational force on m from Earth when r > rE.
d. Jenny, because there is a gravitational force on m from Earth no matter how great the
distance from the Earth.
e. Jenny, because the gravitational force from the Earth can only be blocked by a body that
is larger than the Earth.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

PROBLEM

43. Isaac Newton was able to estimate a value for G, the universal gravitational constant, from the
following data: the radius of the Earth is about 6 400 km, the average density of rocks is about 5.50
g/cm3, and g = 9.80 m/s2 near the surface of the Earth. What value did Newton obtain for G?

ANS:
6.65 ´ 10-11 N×m2/kg2

PTS: 2 DIF: Average

44. At the moment of a total eclipse, the moon lies along a line from the Earth to the sun. If your normal
weight is 600 N, how much is your weight decreased by the combined pull of the sun and moon?

MSUN = 2.0 ´ 1030 kg, rS-E = 1.5 ´ 108 km

MMOON = 7.4 ´ 1022 kg, rM-E = 3.8 ´ 105 km

ANS:
0.37 N

PTS: 2 DIF: Average

45. When a falling meteor is at a distance above the Earth's surface of 3 times the Earth's radius, what is its
acceleration due to the Earth's gravity?

ANS:
0.613 m/s2

PTS: 2 DIF: Average

46. The planet Venus requires 225 days to orbit the sun, which has a mass M = 1.99 ´ 1030 kg, in an almost
circular trajectory. Calculate the radius of the orbit and the orbital speed of Venus as it circles the sun.

ANS:
1.08 ´ 1011 m, 34.9 km/s

PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

47. Calculate the Earth's angular momentum in the approximation that treats the Earth's orbit around the
sun as a circle. (MSun = 1.99 ´ 1030 kg; T = 3.156 ´ 107 s; ME = 5.98 ´ 1024 kg.)

ANS:
2.67 ´ 1040 kg×m2/s

PTS: 3 DIF: Challenging

48. What is the period of revolution of a planet in circular orbit around a star of 4.0 solar masses if it is at a
distance from the star equal to that of the Earth from the Sun?

ANS:
0.50 year

PTS: 2 DIF: Average