The diagram in Fig. 1 is from a navigation lesson for a vessel travelling near Jupiter. The planet has a strong gravitational field. The arrows show two pos...
Question 1 Report
The diagram in Fig. 1 is from a navigation lesson for a vessel travelling near Jupiter. The planet has a strong gravitational field. The arrows show two possible paths for an unmanned probe. Path A passes close to Jupiter and path B remains far away. The navigation computer uses a gravity assist to change the probe's velocity without using much fuel.
(a) Which path experiences the stronger gravitational force from Jupiter? [1]
(b) What happens to the direction of the probe's velocity on path A? [1]
(c) Describe why the gravitational field is stronger closer to Jupiter. [2]
(d) Give two advantages of changing a probe's path using gravity rather than rocket fuel. [2]
Answer Details
(a) Path A experiences the stronger gravitational force [1], because it passes nearer to Jupiter.
(b) The probe’s velocity changes direction: it turns towards Jupiter [1]. Gravity is a force, so it can change velocity even if the probe’s speed is not the focus of the question.
(c) Gravitational force decreases as distance increases [1]. On the closer path, the probe is less distant from Jupiter’s mass [1], so Jupiter’s gravitational pull is stronger.
(d) Using gravity can save fuel [1] and therefore reduce launch mass [1]. Other accepted advantages include allowing a higher speed or extending the mission duration.
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