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Date May 2014 Marks available 1 Reference code 14M.1.HL.TZ1.9
Level Higher level Paper Paper 1 Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Question number 9 Adapted from N/A

Question

The magnitude of the potential at the surface of a planet is V. What is the escape speed from the surface of the planet?

A. \(\sqrt V \)
B. \(\sqrt {2V} \)
C. \(\sqrt {VR} \)
D. \(\sqrt {2VR} \)

Markscheme

B

Examiners report

As R is not defined in the stem it can be assumed it is irrelevant and therefore both C and D are incorrect. As we need to equate kinetic energy with potential energy to solve this problem, we can expect a factor of 2 from 1⁄2 mv2. Hence B.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation » 6.1 – Circular motion
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