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

In partnership with Revision Ninja

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.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. What is defined as work done per unit mass bringing a test mass from infinity?

    • Gravitational potential energy
    • Gravitational field strength
    • Gravitational potential
    • Gravitational force

  2. Where is gravitational potential defined to have a value of zero?

    • At Earth's centre
    • At infinity
    • At Earth's surface
    • At geostationary orbit

  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. Why is gravitational potential around a point mass given a negative value?

    • Gravity is repulsive
    • Distance decreases outward
    • Mass is negative
    • Gravity is attractive

  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. Why is no work done when moving a mass along an equipotential surface?

    • Zero mass change
    • Zero gravitational force
    • Zero potential difference
    • Zero field strength

  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. What does the gradient of a gravitational potential V against distance r graph equal?

    • Negative field strength
    • Orbital speed
    • Gravitational potential energy
    • Gravitational field strength

  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 to a point closer to a planet, the gravitational potential further away is:

    • Equal
    • Lower
    • Higher
    • Zero

  15. What shape are the equipotential surfaces surrounding an isolated point mass?

    • Concentric spheres
    • Concentric circles
    • Radial lines
    • Parallel planes

  16. Outside a spherical planet, where is its gravitational potential most negative?

    • In geostationary orbit
    • In low orbit
    • At the surface
    • 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. What is the sign of gravitational potential at any finite distance from a mass?

    • Positive
    • Zero
    • Negative
    • Variable

  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

All AQA Physics quizzes