Date | November 2015 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 15N.1.HL.TZ0.23 |
Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
Command term | Question number | 23 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The Earth is a distance rS from the Sun. The Moon is a distance rM from the Earth.
The ratio gravitational field strength at the Earth due to the Sungravitational field strength at the Earth due to the Moon is proportional to
A. rMrS
B. rSrM
C. r2Sr2M.
D. r2Mr2S
Markscheme
D
Examiners report
Think proportionality.
Clearly the masses of the Sun and Moon do not change so we are only considering the distances. Considering Newton’s inverse square law of gravitation, all that is needed is to switch the variables, rS and rM, and then square the ratio.