9702_s22_qp_42
A paper of Physics, 9702
Questions:
10
Year:
2022
Paper:
4
Variant:
2

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1
Define gravitational potential at a point. Starting from the equation for the gravitational potential due to a point mass, show that the gravitational potential energy EP of a point mass m at a distance r from another point mass M is given by EP = – GMm r where G is the gravitational constant. shows the path of a comet of mass 2.20 × 1014 kg as it passes around a star of mass 1.99 × 1030 kg. X Y 34.1 km s–1 comet mass 2.20 × 1014 kg star mass 1.99 × 1030 kg path of comet (not to scale) At point X, the comet is 8.44 × 1011 m from the centre of the star and is moving at a speed of 34.1 km s–1. At point Y, the comet passes its point of closest approach to the star. At this point, the comet is a distance of 6.38 × 1010 m from the centre of the star. Both the comet and the star can be considered as point masses at their centres. Calculate the magnitude of the change in the gravitational potential energy ΔEP of the comet as it moves from position X to position Y. ΔEP = J State, with a reason, whether the change in gravitational potential energy in is an increase or a decrease. Use your answer in to determine the speed, in km s–1, of the comet at point Y. speed = km s–1 A second comet passes point X with the same speed as the comet in and travelling in the same direction. This comet is gradually losing mass. The mass of this comet when it passes point X is the same as the mass of the comet in . Suggest, with a reason, how the path of the second comet compares with the path shown in .
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