Physics Gravity and Gravitation

Question 1

According to Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, the force between two objects is:

Accepted Answer

Directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance

Answer

Directly proportional to the square of the distance between them

Answer

Inversely proportional to the product of their masses

Answer

Independent of the distance between them

Question 2

If the distance between two objects doubles, the gravitational force between them:

Accepted Answer

Decreases to one-quarter of the original

Answer

Doubles

Answer

Quadruples

Answer

Decreases to one-half of the original

Question 3

The acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface is approximately:

Accepted Answer

9.8 m/s²

Answer

6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ m/s²

Answer

3.7 m/s²

Answer

11.2 m/s²

Question 4

Which of the following best describes gravitational potential energy near Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

PE = mgh, increasing as height increases

Answer

PE = mgh, decreasing as height increases

Answer

PE = ½mv², independent of height

Answer

PE = Gm₁m₂/r, always positive

Question 5

Kepler's First Law states that planetary orbits are:

Accepted Answer

Ellipses with the Sun at one focus

Answer

Perfect circles centered on the Sun

Answer

Parabolas with the Sun at the center

Answer

Hyperbolas with the Sun at one focus

Question 6

The weight of an object is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The gravitational force exerted on it

Answer

The same as its mass

Answer

Constant regardless of location in space

Answer

Measured in kilograms

Question 7

The universal gravitational constant G has a value of approximately:

Accepted Answer

6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg²

Answer

9.8 m/s²

Answer

3.0 × 10⁸ m/s

Answer

6.02 × 10²³ mol⁻¹