Lesson 3.7.2.3

3.7.2.3 Gravitational potential Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 7

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.7.2.3, Gravitational potential: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 7: Fields and their consequences (A-level only), written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Gravitational potential at a point is defined as:

    • the force per unit distance at that point
    • the work done per unit mass in lifting a mass from the surface
    • the work done per unit mass in bringing a small test mass from infinity to that point
    • the energy per unit volume at that point

  2. The gravitational potential is taken to be zero:

    • at the centre of the planet
    • at infinity
    • at the Earth's surface
    • infinitely far below the surface

  3. The gravitational potential in a radial field at distance r from mass M is:

    • V = -GM / r
    • V = -GM r
    • V = GM / r
    • V = -GM / r^2

  4. The negative sign in V = -GM/r shows that:

    • the gravitational field is repulsive
    • the mass M is negative
    • the potential is positive everywhere
    • potential near a mass is lower than at infinity, so work must be done to move a mass away

  5. The work done in moving a mass m through a potential difference delta V is:

    • delta W = delta V / m
    • delta W = m delta V
    • delta W = m^2 delta V
    • delta W = m delta V^2

  6. No work is done when a mass moves along an equipotential surface because:

    • the surface is at infinity
    • the mass does not move
    • the potential difference is zero, so m delta V = 0
    • the force is zero along the surface

  7. The relation between gravitational field strength and potential is:

    • g = delta V / delta r^2
    • g = -delta V / delta r
    • g = -delta V delta r
    • g = -delta r / delta V

  8. Estimate the gravitational potential at Earth's surface (M = 6.0 x 10^24 kg, R = 6.4 x 10^6 m, G = 6.67 x 10^-11).

    • about -6.3 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about 6.3 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about -9.8 J kg^-1
    • about -6.3 x 10^6 J kg^-1

  9. Using the surface potential of about -6.3 x 10^7 J kg^-1, how much work is needed to move 1000 kg from the surface to infinity?

    • about 6.3 x 10^10 J
    • about 6.3 x 10^13 J
    • about 6.3 x 10^7 J
    • about 9.8 x 10^6 J

  10. The gravitational potential at a distance 2R from Earth's centre is:

    • about -1.6 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about -3.1 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about +3.1 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about -6.3 x 10^7 J kg^-1

  11. On a graph of potential V against distance r from a planet's centre, the gradient equals:

    • minus g, the negative of the field strength
    • minus GM
    • GM
    • g

  12. A 2.0 kg object is moved from distance 2R to distance R from Earth's centre. What work must an external agent do?

    • 6.3 x 10^7 J
    • 1.6 x 10^7 J
    • 3.1 x 10^7 J
    • 1.3 x 10^8 J

  13. A mass of 5.0 kg moves through a potential difference of 4.0 J kg^-1. What work is done?

    • 9 J
    • 0.8 J
    • 20 J
    • 1.25 J

  14. Compared with a point nearer a planet, a point farther from the planet has a gravitational potential that is:

    • zero everywhere
    • lower, since it is more negative
    • higher, since it is less negative
    • the same as at the nearer point

  15. The equipotential surfaces around a point mass are:

    • concentric spheres centred on the mass
    • lines radiating from the mass
    • ellipses around the mass
    • planes parallel to the surface

  16. Where is the gravitational potential of a planet most negative?

    • midway between the surface and infinity
    • at the highest orbit
    • at its surface, the closest point to the centre
    • at infinity

  17. Using the area under a graph of g against r, what is the potential difference between R and 2R for Earth?

    • about 9.8 x 10^6 J kg^-1
    • about 6.3 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about 3.1 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • about 1.6 x 10^7 J kg^-1

  18. The gravitational potential at the surface of a planet is -5.0 x 10^7 J kg^-1. What energy per unit mass is needed to move a satellite from the surface to infinity?

    • 0 J kg^-1
    • 1.0 x 10^8 J kg^-1
    • 5.0 x 10^7 J kg^-1
    • 2.5 x 10^7 J kg^-1

  19. A student says gravitational potential is positive near a massive planet because gravity attracts. Which response is best?

    • Correct: attraction always gives a positive potential.
    • Correct: a positive potential means the field points inwards.
    • Incorrect: with zero at infinity, the potential near a mass is negative, since work must be done against gravity to move a mass out to infinity.
    • Incorrect: the potential is always zero near a planet's surface.

  20. Compare the work needed to move 1.0 kg from R to 2R with the work needed to move it from 2R to 4R, in the same field.

    • 1/2
    • 4
    • 1
    • 2

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