All Middle School Physical Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Describe How Distance Affects Gravitational Potential Energy
Which of these objects would have the MOST gravitational pull if we were standing directly on the surface?
a meteor less massive than the moon
the moon
a planet more massive than Earth
Earth
a planet more massive than Earth
The answer is a planet more massive than the Earth, because it has the most mass.
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #2 : Potential And Kinetic Energy
Assuming all of these objects have the same mass, which of these sets of objects would have a greater gravitational potential energy?
the objects that are 10 meters apart
it would depend on the temperature of the objects
they have the same gravitational energy
the objects that are 100 meters apart
the objects that are 10 meters apart
The answer is "the objects that are 10 meters apart" because they are closer together and thus have a greater gravitational energy between them.
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #3 : Potential And Kinetic Energy
Which of these two objects would have a greater gravitational pull?
the 5kg object
not enough information
they have the same gravitational energy
the 100kg object
the 100kg object
The answer is "the 100 kg object" because it has a greater mass. Reminder that the size of the object does not affect the gravitational energy.
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #4 : Describe How Distance Affects Gravitational Potential Energy
The object on the right has a greater gravitational energy than the one on the left. This is because:
it is bigger
it is colder
it has a greater mass
it is made of stronger material
it has a greater mass
The answer is "it has a greater mass."
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #2 : Describe How Distance Affects Gravitational Potential Energy
What is one way we could increase the gravitational pull between these two objects?
put them closer together
both of these
neither of these
increase the mass
both of these
The answer is "both of these."
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #2 : Describe How Distance Affects Gravitational Potential Energy
Which of these objects have a gravitational pull?
the moon
Earth
people
all objects have gravitational pull
all objects have gravitational pull
The answer is "all objects have gravitational pull."
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #6 : Potential And Kinetic Energy
What could you do to these objects to DECREASE the gravitational energy between them?
none of these
decreasing the mass of the objects
both of these
increasing the distance between them
both of these
The answer is "both of these" because increasing the distance and decreasing their mass would both decrease the gravitational pull.
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #7 : Potential And Kinetic Energy
This table from NASA.gov shows data collected from bodies in our solar system. Each body has a different value for "Gravity." What best explains this difference?
they have different masses
they have different diameters
they have different rotation periods
they have different lengths of day
they have different masses
The answer is "they have different masses."
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #4 : Describe How Distance Affects Gravitational Potential Energy
Does a plane have more gravitational energy when it is flying 100km above the Earth or when it is on the ground?
when it's on the ground
when it's 100km in the air
none of these
gravity is always the same
when it's on the ground
The answer is "when it's on the ground" because it's closer to the body that it's being pulled towards. Though this difference is hardly noticeable until we are high enough to leave the atmosphere.
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
Example Question #9 : Describe How Distance Affects Gravitational Potential Energy
Does a plane have more gravitational energy when it is flying 100km above the Earth or when it is on the ground?
when it's on the ground
gravity is always the same
none of these
when it's 100km in the air
when it's on the ground
The answer is "when it's on the ground" because it's closer to the body that it's being pulled towards. Though this difference is hardly noticeable until we are high enough to leave the atmosphere.
Gravitational energy exists between all objects. We rarely talk about the gravitational energy that exists between objects here on Earth because the pull is so weak. We consider the effect of gravity more often when we talk about planets, stars, and galaxies because they are more massive and have much stronger forces of gravity at work.
The gravitational potential energy of an object depends on the mass of objects, and how far away they are from each other. More massive objects have more gravitational pull. (Remember that just because something is bigger, doesn’t mean it has more mass!) Objects that are closer together have more gravitational pull.
Weight is a measure of the effect of gravity on an object, and can change depending on where we are. Our mass never changes but we weigh less on the moon because there is less gravitational energy between us and the moon. The moon has less gravitational energy than Earth because it is less massive.
All Middle School Physical Science Resources
