Gravitational force between point masses past paper questions

A2 Physics 9702 · Gravitational fields. 1 understand that, for a point outside a uniform sphere, the mass of the sphere may be considered to be a point mass at its centre 2 recall and use Newton’s law of gravitation F = Gm1m2 / r2 for the force between two point masses 3 analyse circular orbits in gravitational fields by relating the gravitational force to the centripetal acceleration it causes 4 understand that a satellite in a geostationary orbit remains at the same point above the Earth’s surface, with an orbital period of 24 hours, orbiting from west to east, directly above the Equator

In Cambridge A Level A2 Physics 9702, Gravitational force between point masses came up in 22 of the 42 papers on Paperstreak, for about 5 marks a paper when it does. It last came up in October/November 2025.

Often set with Gravitational potential, Gravitational field, Gravitational field of a point mass, Centripetal acceleration.

22 questions, newest first

9702/42/O/N/25 Question 2 parts (a) (d(i)) · 4 marks
9702/41/M/J/25 Question 1 parts (c(i)) (c(ii)) · 2 marks
9702/43/M/J/25 Question 1 parts (c(i)) (c(ii)) · 2 marks
9702/41/O/N/24 Question 1 parts (a) (b(ii)) (b(iii)) · 10 marks
9702/43/O/N/24 Question 1 · 12 marks
9702/42/F/M/24 Question 1 part (b(ii)) · 3 marks
9702/42/M/J/23 Question 1 parts (a) (b) (c) (d(ii)) · 9 marks
9702/42/F/M/23 Question 1 part (b(iv)) · 4 marks
9702/41/O/N/22 Question 1 · 9 marks
9702/42/O/N/22 Question 1 part (b(ii)) · 2 marks
9702/43/O/N/22 Question 1 · 9 marks
9702/41/M/J/22 Question 1 part (a(i)) · 2 marks
9702/42/M/J/22 Question 1 part (c) · 1 mark
9702/43/M/J/22 Question 1 part (a(i)) · 2 marks
9702/42/F/M/22 Question 1 parts (b) (c(i)) (c(ii)) (c(iii)) · 8 marks
9702/41/M/J/21 Question 1 parts (b) (c(i)) · 5 marks
9702/43/M/J/21 Question 1 parts (b) (c(i)) · 5 marks
9702/42/F/M/21 Question 1 parts (a) (b) (c(ii)) · 7 marks
9702/42/O/N/20 Question 1 parts (b(ii)) (c) · 4 marks
9702/41/M/J/20 Question 1 part (c(iii)) · 3 marks
9702/43/M/J/20 Question 1 parts (c(ii)) (c(iii)) · 5 marks
9702/42/F/M/20 Question 1 part (b(i)) · 3 marks

More in Gravitational fields: Gravitational field, Gravitational field of a point mass, Gravitational potential.

Questions and mark schemes from Cambridge International past papers. Paperstreak isn't affiliated with Cambridge.