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Gravitational Field Assignment[1] (1)

The document discusses the dynamics of a binary star system and a satellite orbiting Earth. It includes calculations for centripetal forces, angular speed, mass ratios, kinetic and potential energy, and the effects of resistive forces on orbital parameters. The document contains specific questions and prompts for deriving expressions related to these concepts.

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2 views6 pages

Gravitational Field Assignment[1] (1)

The document discusses the dynamics of a binary star system and a satellite orbiting Earth. It includes calculations for centripetal forces, angular speed, mass ratios, kinetic and potential energy, and the effects of resistive forces on orbital parameters. The document contains specific questions and prompts for deriving expressions related to these concepts.

Uploaded by

shanzay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1 A binary star consists of two stars A and B that orbit one another, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1.

2.8 × 108 km
t
VWDU$ VWDU%
PDVV0$ 3 PDVV0%

t
G

Fig. 1.1

The stars are in circular orbits with the centres of both orbits at point P, a distance d from the
centre of star A.

(a) (i) Explain why the centripetal force acting on both stars has the same magnitude.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) The period of the orbit of the stars about point P is 4.0 years.

Calculate the angular speed ω of the stars.

ω = ............................................. rad s−1 [2]


(b) The separation of the centres of the stars is 2.8 × 108 km.
The mass of star A is MA. The mass of star B is MB.
M
The ratio A is 3.0.
MB

(i) Determine the distance d.

d = ................................................... km [3]

(ii) Use your answers in (a)(ii) and (b)(i) to determine the mass MB of star B.
Explain your working.

MB = .................................................... kg [3]

[Total: 10]
1 A satellite of mass mS is in a circular orbit of radius x about the Earth.

The Earth may be considered to be an isolated uniform sphere with its mass M concentrated at its
centre.

(a) (i) Show that the kinetic energy EK of the satellite is given by the expression
GMmS
EK =
2x
where G is the gravitational constant. Explain your working.

[3]

(ii) State an expression, in terms of G, M, mS and x, for the potential energy EP of the
satellite.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) Using answers from (i) and (ii), derive an expression for the total energy ET of the
satellite.

ET = ...........................................................[2]
(b) Small resistive forces acting on the satellite cause the radius of its circular orbit to change.

Use your answers in (a) to state, for the satellite, whether each of the following quantities
increases, decreases or remains constant.

(i) total energy

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) radius of orbit

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iii) potential energy

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(iv) kinetic energy

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

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