Physics Gravity and Gravitation 3

Question 1

A geosynchronous satellite orbits Earth with a period of:

Accepted Answer

24 hours

Answer

90 minutes

Answer

12 hours

Answer

7 days

Question 2

Tidal forces on Earth are primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Differences in the Moon's gravitational pull across Earth's diameter

Answer

Earth's rotation on its axis

Answer

The Sun's magnetic field interacting with Earth's oceans

Answer

Earth's elliptical orbit around the Sun

Question 3

At the exact center of the Earth, the gravitational acceleration would be:

Accepted Answer

Zero

Answer

Equal to 9.8 m/s²

Answer

Double the surface value

Answer

Infinite

Question 4

On the Moon, where g ≈ 1.6 m/s², a 60 kg person would weigh approximately:

Accepted Answer

96 N

Answer

588 N

Answer

60 N

Answer

600 N

Question 5

The gravitational force between two objects is greatest when:

Accepted Answer

Both masses are large and the distance is small

Answer

Both masses are small and the distance is large

Answer

One mass is large and the other is small, placed far apart

Answer

Both masses are equal and separated by a large distance

Question 6

Astronauts inside an orbiting spacecraft appear weightless because:

Accepted Answer

Both the astronauts and the spacecraft are accelerating toward Earth at the same rate

Answer

Gravity does not reach the altitude of the spacecraft

Answer

Air resistance cancels gravity in orbit

Answer

The Moon's gravity opposes Earth's gravity at that altitude

Question 7

Which statement about gravitational force is correct according to Newton's Third Law?

Accepted Answer

Earth and the Moon pull on each other with equal and opposite forces

Answer

Earth pulls on the Moon but the Moon does not pull on Earth

Answer

The Moon pulls on Earth with a greater force than Earth pulls on the Moon

Answer

Gravitational forces only act on smaller objects