Call Now to Set Up Tutoring:

(888) 888-0446

AP Physics B : Understanding Gravity and Gravitational Forces

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics B

Create An Account

All AP Physics B Resources

65 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Universal Gravitation

The moon's distance from the center of the Earth was decreased by a multiple of three. How would this affect the gravitational force of the Earth on the moon?

Possible Answers:

The gravitational force would not be affected, because the moon's mass is the same

It would increase by a factor of three

It would decrease by a factor of nine

It would increase by a factor of nine

Correct answer:

It would increase by a factor of nine

Explanation:

The law of gravitation is written as $\small F = \frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}$ , with G being equal to $\small \small 6.67*10^{-11}\frac{m^3}{kg*s^2}$ .

Since the radius of the two masses acting on each other is squared, and is found in the denominator, a decrease in the radius by a multiple of three will cause a nine-fold increase in the gravitational force.

$\small F_1 = \frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}\rightarrow F_2=\frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{(\frac{1}{3}r)^{2}}=9F_1$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Newton's Second Law

What is the acceleration due to gravity on a planet on which an object with a mass of 20.0kg has a weight of 270N?

Possible Answers:

0.074m/s²

10m/s²

27m/s²

13.5m/s²

Correct answer:

13.5m/s²

Explanation:

Solve the following equation for acceleration, using the values given in the question.

F = ma

$a = \frac{F}{m}$

$a=\frac{270N}{20kg}=13.5\frac{m}{s^2}$

Report an Error

Example Question #71 : Newtonian Mechanics

Cliff_horizontal

A ball is thrown horizontally off a cliff of height of $\small 50m$ with an initial velocity of $\small 15\frac{m}{s}$ . How far from the cliff will the ball land?

Possible Answers:

47.9 m

50 m

69.2 m

33.9 m

42 m

Correct answer:

47.9 m

Explanation:

First we will find the time required for the ball to reach the ground. Since the ball is thrown horizontally, it has no initial vertical component. We use the following equation to solve for the total flight time:

$\Delta y=v_{iy}t+\frac{1}{2}at^{2}$

We are given the change in height, initial velocity, and acceleration. Using these values, we can solve for the time. Note that the change in height will be negative, since the ball is traveling downward.

$-50m= (0\frac{m}{s})t+\frac{1}{2}(-9.8\frac{m}{s^2})t^2$

$-50m=(-4.9\frac{m}{s^2})t^2$

$t=\sqrt{\frac{-50m}{-4.9\frac{m}{s^2}}}$

t=3.19s

Finally, we use the horizontal velocity to find the distance traveled in 3.19s . Remember that the horizontal velocity remains constant during projectile motion.

$v=\frac{d}{t}$

$d=v*t=(15\frac{m}{s})*(3.19s)=47.9m$

Report an Error

Example Question #1 : Universal Gravitation

A certain planet has three times the radius of Earth and nine times the mass. How does the acceleration of gravity at the surface of this planet (a_g) compare to the acceleration at the surface of Earth (g)?

Possible Answers:

$\frac{g}{9}$

$\frac{g}{3}$

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The acceleration of gravity is given by the equation $a_{g} = \frac{GM}{r^{2}}$ , where G is constant.

For Earth, $a_{g} = \frac{GM_{earth}}{r_{earth}^{2}} = g$ .

For the new planet,

$a_{g} = \frac{G(9M_{earth})}{\left ( 3r_{earth} \right )^2} = \frac{G(9M_{earth})}{9r_{earth{}}^2} = \frac{GM_{earth}}{r_{earth}^{2}}} = g$ .

So, the acceleration is the same in both cases.

Report an Error

View Tutors

Yousef
Certified Tutor

University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Doctor of Philosophy, Physics.

View Tutors

Jenna
Certified Tutor

Old Dominion University, Bachelor of Science, Biology, General.

View Tutors

Jeffrey
Certified Tutor

University of Nebraska at Omaha, Bachelor in Arts, English. Northwest Missouri State University, Master of Arts, English.

All AP Physics B Resources

65 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Popular Subjects

Math Tutors in Dallas Fort Worth, English Tutors in Miami, ISEE Tutors in Phoenix, SSAT Tutors in San Francisco-Bay Area, LSAT Tutors in Dallas Fort Worth, Statistics Tutors in Los Angeles, GMAT Tutors in Houston, Chemistry Tutors in San Diego, Computer Science Tutors in Seattle, SAT Tutors in Philadelphia

Popular Courses & Classes

LSAT Courses & Classes in Atlanta, LSAT Courses & Classes in Boston, ACT Courses & Classes in Chicago, GRE Courses & Classes in Chicago, SSAT Courses & Classes in Boston, GMAT Courses & Classes in Philadelphia, Spanish Courses & Classes in Chicago, SAT Courses & Classes in New York City, ACT Courses & Classes in Phoenix, GRE Courses & Classes in Denver

Popular Test Prep

ACT Test Prep in Phoenix, SSAT Test Prep in Washington DC, ACT Test Prep in Chicago, GRE Test Prep in Chicago, SAT Test Prep in Chicago, SSAT Test Prep in Los Angeles, GRE Test Prep in Miami, MCAT Test Prep in Atlanta, GMAT Test Prep in Philadelphia, SSAT Test Prep in Denver

DMCA Complaint

If you believe that content available by means of the Website (as defined in our Terms of Service) infringes one or more of your copyrights, please notify us by providing a written notice (“Infringement Notice”) containing the information described below to the designated agent listed below. If Varsity Tutors takes action in response to an Infringement Notice, it will make a good faith attempt to contact the party that made such content available by means of the most recent email address, if any, provided by such party to Varsity Tutors.

Your Infringement Notice may be forwarded to the party that made the content available or to third parties such as ChillingEffects.org.

Please be advised that you will be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is infringing your copyrights. Thus, if you are not sure content located on or linked-to by the Website infringes your copyright, you should consider first contacting an attorney.

Please follow these steps to file a notice:

You must include the following:

A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf; An identification of the copyright claimed to have been infringed; A description of the nature and exact location of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright, in \ sufficient detail to permit Varsity Tutors to find and positively identify that content; for example we require a link to the specific question (not just the name of the question) that contains the content and a description of which specific portion of the question – an image, a link, the text, etc – your complaint refers to; Your name, address, telephone number and email address; and A statement by you: (a) that you believe in good faith that the use of the content that you claim to infringe your copyright is not authorized by law, or by the copyright owner or such owner’s agent; (b) that all of the information contained in your Infringement Notice is accurate, and (c) under penalty of perjury, that you are either the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf.

Send your complaint to our designated agent at:

Charles Cohn Varsity Tutors LLC
101 S. Hanley Rd, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63105

Or fill out the form below:

Do not fill in this field

Contact Information

* Full legal name

Company name

* Phone number

* Email address

Address

* Address1

Address2

* City

* State

* Zipcode

* Country

Complaint Details

* URL of copyrighted work (where your original material is located)

* Please describe the copyrighted work so that it may be easily identified

I am the owner, or an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

I have a good faith belief that the use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

This notification is accurate.

I acknowledge that there may be adverse legal consequences for making false or bad faith allegations of copyright infringement by using this process.

* Signature (your digital signature is legally binding)

HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATE SCHOOL

K-8

Search 50+ Tests

math tutoring

science tutoring

foreign languages

elementary tutoring

other

Search 350+ Subjects

AP Physics B : Understanding Gravity and Gravitational Forces

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics B

All AP Physics B Resources

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Universal Gravitation

Example Question #1 : Newton's Second Law

Example Question #71 : Newtonian Mechanics

Example Question #1 : Universal Gravitation

All AP Physics B Resources

Report an issue with this question

DMCA Complaint

Contact Information

Address

Complaint Details

Email address:
Your name:
Feedback: