Gravitational Field Strength - Questions

The Gravitational Field Strength Concept Builder is comprised of 52 questions. The questions are divided into 18 different question groups. Questions in the same group are rather similar to one another. The Concept Builder is coded to select at random a question from each group until a student is successful with that group of questions.

There are three different activities that can be engaged in through the Concept Builder. Those three activities are differentiated as follows:
 

• Ranking Tasks: Groups 1-6 Analyze three locations with given M_planet and distance and rank their gravitational field strengths from smallest to largest.
• Case Study - A Versus B: Groups 7-12 Given two cases of different M_planet and distance and identify which case has the greatest gravitational field strength and how many times greater it is than the other case.
• Value of g: Groups 13-18 Given the value of the gravitational field strength at one location about a planet, use the inverse square law to determine the value at a second location.

The questions from each group are shown below. Teachers are encouraged to view the questions in order to judge which activities are most appropriate for their classes. As you can see, the activities are independent of each other. That is, a student can do the second activity (Case Study - A Versus B) without having done the first activity (Ranking Tasks).

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Gravitational Field Strength

 
Activity 1 – Ranking Tasks
 
Question Group 1
Question 1
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.  

 
Question 2
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 
 
 
Question 3
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.  
 

 
Question Group 2
Question 4
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   



Question 5
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 

 
Question 6
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
 
   
 
 
 
 
Question Group 3
Question 7
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 
 
 

 
Question 8
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 

 
Question 9
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 
 

 
Question Group 4
Question 10
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   

 

Question 11
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
 

 
Question 12
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
 


 
Question Group 5
Question 13
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 
 

 
Question 14
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   

 
Question 15
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.  
 
 
 
 

 
Question Group 6
Question 16
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
 
   
 
 
 

 
Question 17
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.  
 
 

 
Question 18
Three locations – A, B, and C - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown. Rank the three locations according to their gravitational field strength.
   
 

 
Activity 2 – Case Study: A versus B
 
Question Group 1
Question 1
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
4
8
16
 
 

 
Question 2
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
 
 
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
4
8
16
 
 

 
Question 3
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
3
4
6
9
 
 

 
Question Group 2
Question 4
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
 
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
3
4
6
9
 

 
Question 5
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
3
6
9
18
27
 
 

 
Question 6
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
3
6
9
18
27
 
 
 

 
Question Group 3
Question 7
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
4
8
 

 
Question 8
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
4
8
 

 
Question 9
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
4
5
8
 

 
Question Group 4
Question 10
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
3
6
9
12
 
 
 
 
 

 
Question 11
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
 
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
2
3
6
9
12
18
 

 
Question 12
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
3
6
9
18
27
 
 

 
Question Group 5
Question 13
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
4/3
3/2
2
3
4
9/2
12
 

 
Question 14
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
4/3
3/2
2
3
4
9/2
12
 
 

 
Question Group 6
Question 15
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.
   
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
4/3
3/2
2
3
4
9/2
12
 
 

 
Question 16
Two locations – A and B - are shown. Each has a different set of gravitational conditions. The relative planet mass (expressed in terms of M) and the relative distance of each location from the planet's center (expressed in terms of R) are shown.  
The gravitational field strength is greatest at location ________ …
… by a factor of ________.
4/3
3/2
2
3
4
9/2
12
 
 

 
Activity 3:  Value of g
 
Question Group 1
Question 1
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 10.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.
 
 
Question 2
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 9.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.
 
Question 3
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 8.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.
 
Question Group 2
Question 4
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 10.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.  
 
Question 5
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 9.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.
   

 
Question 6
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 8.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.  

 
Question Group 3
Question 7
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 36.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.
   

 
Question 8
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 16.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.

 
Question 9
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 27.0 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.  

 
Question Group 4
Question 10
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 2.35 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) on the surface of the planet (location Y).
 
 
Question 11
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 2.12 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) on the surface of the planet (location Y).  

 
Question 12
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 1.96 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) on the surface of the planet (location Y).  

 
Question Group 5
Question 13
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 3.86 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) on the surface of the planet (location Y).  
 

 
Question 14
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 1.72 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) on the surface of the planet (location Y).  


 
Question 15
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 2.95 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) on the surface of the planet (location Y).  
 

 
Question Group 6
Question 16
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 1.45 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) location Y.  
 

 
Question 17
The value of the gravitational field strength at location X is 1.05 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) location Y.  

 

 
Question 18
The value of the gravitational field strength on the surface of a planet (location X) is 1.72 N/kg. Determine the gravitational field strength (in N/kg, accurate to the second decimal place) at location Y.