Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' descending to the surface of the planet Mars. speed = 88 m/s 1.60 km Mass of rover = 1100 kg Gravitational field strength on Mars = 3.7 N/kg Give your answer to 2 significant figures. (i) Calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the rover as it descends from position P to position Q. (ii) Use data from Figure 6 to calculate the change in kinetic energy of the rover as it descends from position P to position Q.

GCSE Edexcel Physics Combined Science Conservation of energy: Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' de

Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' descending to the surface of the planet Mars - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1

Question 4

Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' descending to the surface of the planet Mars. speed = 88 m/s 1.60 km Mass of rover = 1100 kg Gravitational field strength on Mars =... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' descending to the surface of the planet Mars - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1

Step 1

Calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the rover as it descends from position P to position Q.

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Answer

To calculate the change in gravitational potential energy (GPE), we use the formula:

$\text{GPE} = m \times g \times h$

where:

$m = 1100 \text{ kg}$ (mass of the rover)
$g = 3.7 \text{ N/kg}$ (gravitational field strength on Mars)
$h = 1.60 \text{ km} = 1600 \text{ m}$ (height change)

Substituting the values, we have:

$\text{GPE} = 1100 \times 3.7 \times 1600$

Calculating this yields:

$\text{GPE} = 7328000 \text{ J}$

Rounding to 2 significant figures gives:

$\text{GPE} = 7300000 \text{ J}$

Step 2

Use data from Figure 6 to calculate the change in kinetic energy of the rover as it descends from position P to position Q.

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Answer

To calculate the change in kinetic energy (KE), we use the formula:

$\Delta KE = \frac{1}{2} m v^2$

At position P, the velocity $v = 88 \text{ m/s}$ and at position Q, it is $0 \text{ m/s}$ . Therefore, we only need to calculate the kinetic energy at position P:

$\Delta KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 1100 \times (88)^2$

Calculating this gives:

$\Delta KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 1100 \times 7744 = 4264000 \text{ J}$

The change in kinetic energy as the rover descends to position Q is:

$\Delta KE = 4300000 \text{ J}$

Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' descending to the surface of the planet Mars - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 6 shows a 'Mars rover' descending to the surface of the planet Mars - Edexcel - GCSE Physics Combined Science - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 1

Calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the rover as it descends from position P to position Q.

Use data from Figure 6 to calculate the change in kinetic energy of the rover as it descends from position P to position Q.

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