AP®PhysicsCollege BoardPhysics 1: Algebra-BasedExam QuestionsUnit 2: Force & Translational DynamicsGravitational Force

Gravitational Force (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based)

Exam Questions

5 mins5 questions
11 mark

Europa is one of Jupiter's natural satellites which orbits at a height of 670 space 000 space km above Jupiter's surface. The mass of Jupiter is 2 space cross times space 10 to the power of 27 space kg and it's radius is 70 space 000 space km. The gravitational force between Jupiter and Europa is 1.5 space cross times space 10 to the power of 22 space straight N.

Which of the following is the mass of Europa when it is modelled as a point mass in this scenario?

  • 8 space cross times space 10 to the power of 13 space kg

  • 6 space cross times space 10 to the power of 14 space kg

  • 5 space cross times space 10 to the power of 16 space kg

  • 6 space cross times space 10 to the power of 22 space kg

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21 mark

Two artificial satellites are in orbit around the Earth. The first has a mass of 3.2 space cross times space 10 to the power of 5 space kg and orbits at a height of 3 space km above the Earth's surface. The second has a mass of 1.6 space cross times space 10 to the power of 6 space kg and orbits at a height of 5 space km above the surface of the Earth.

Which of the following is the best estimate of the ratio of the gravitational force between each satellite and the Earth?

  • 0.035

  • 0.33

  • 0.56

  • 2.78

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3
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A silver ball bearing, suspended on a newtonmeter, is lowered into a beaker of water. The newtonmeter shows the weight of the ball bearing to be 4 space straight Nwhen in air and floating on the surface of the water in the beaker and it shows the weight to be 1 space straight Nwhen it is fully submerged.

Which option is the best estimate of the magnitude of the buoyant force acting on the ball bearing due to the water in the beaker when it is fully submerged?

Diagram showing a spring balance measuring a sphere's weight in air, partially and fully submerged in liquid-filled beakers with overflow measurement.

  • 1 space straight N

  • 3 space straight N

  • 4 space straight N

  • 5 space straight N

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41 mark

An experiment with a mass set to oscillate on a spring is set up on another planet where the gravitational field strength is 4 space straight N divided by kg. The radius of the planet is 590 space km.

Which of the following values is the closest to the mass of the planet?

  • 1 space cross times space 10 to the power of negative 7 end exponent space kg

  • 2 space cross times space 10 to the power of negative 4 end exponent space kg

  • 4 space cross times space 10 to the power of 16 space kg

  • 2 space cross times space 10 to the power of 22 space kg

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51 mark

A person of mass 50 space kg is standing on a bathroom scale on the floor of an elevator holding a ball. The cable holding the elevator in position snaps and the elevator falls to the ground. The person lets go of the ball.

Which of the following shows the correct statements about the person and the ball as the elevator falls to the ground?

  • Person

    Ball

    the scale reads zero

    the ball remains in the same position in the air

  • Person

    Ball

    the scale reads 50 space kg

    the ball falls to the floor of the elevator

  • Person

    Ball

    the scale reads zero

    the ball rises to the ceiling of the elevator

  • Person

    Ball

    the scale reads 500 space straight N

    the ball remains in the same position in the air

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