Gravitational fields — AS & A Level Physics (9702) questions by topic
Gravitational fields questions define gravitational potential and gravitational field, interpret the direction of a field line, and combine the Sun's mass and a probe's motion in a 'show that' derivation, worth from 1 to 12 marks in this A Level Physics set.
State, calculate and deduce lead the command words, alongside explain and find: 'show that' calculations demand full substitution of every constant, not a shortcut answer. 20 real questions from 2023 to 2025 papers sit here. Submitting each attempt for instant marking flags a missing unit, an answer rounded to too few significant figures, or a field-strength dimension mismatch immediately rather than after the whole derivation is checked.
What examiners look for
- Examiners repeatedly find candidates describe the general concept of a gravitational field rather than give the syllabus definition of force per unit mass.
- A common mistake is attempting to equate two field strengths that have different dimensions and therefore cannot be equated.
- Reports flag answers giving two significant figures when the data were given to three.
- A recurring criticism is the required unit proving challenging, and some candidates missing the significance of the Earth's charge being negative.
- Strong answers show full substitution, including numerical values of epsilon-zero and G, when deriving a required constant.
May–June 2025, Paper 41
Define gravitational potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
State what is represented by a gravitational field line.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 43
Define gravitational potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 44
May–June 2024, Paper 41
Define gravitational potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 43
Define gravitational potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
A student can run or walk up the stairs to her classroom. Which statement describes the power required and the gravitational potential energy gained while running up the stairs…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 41
October–November 2024, Paper 42
The Sun may be considered as a uniform sphere with a mass of 1.99 x 10^30 kg and a surface temperature of 5780 K. A probe with a mass of 2.63 kg moves in a straight line towards…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 43
February–March 2023, Paper 12
What is the centre of gravity of an object? A the geometrical centre of the object B the point at which the weight of the object may be considered to act C the point on the object…
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 42
Define gravitational potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
State what is meant by the centre of gravity of an object.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 41
May–June 2023, Paper 43
October–November 2023, Paper 11
A builder holding a brick of mass 3000 g drops the brick on his foot. What is a reasonable estimate of the change in gravitational potential energy of the brick? A 30 J B 300 J C…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
When an object of mass m is raised through a vertical height delta h, the gain of its gravitational potential energy is delta EP. delta EP and delta h are related by the equation…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
State what is indicated by the direction of the gravitational field line at a point in a gravitational field.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Define gravitational potential at a point.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 43
State what is indicated by the direction of the gravitational field line at a point in a gravitational field.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Physics topics
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