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Definition of gravitational field strength. Field lines.
Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 9702 syllabus (2025-2027).
Force per unit mass.
Gravitational field. Region where a mass experiences a force.
Field strength. . Force on unit test mass. Vector, points toward source mass.
Units. N/kg, or equivalently m/s² (since ).
Near Earth surface. N/kg.
Cambridge tip. Mark scheme rewards 'force per unit mass'.
Visualisation.
Conventions.
Point mass. Radial inward lines.
Near Earth surface. Parallel downward (uniform).
Cambridge tip. Mark scheme rewards proper arrows + uniform spacing for uniform field.
Gravitational field on every A2 paper. Most-tested: definition (4-5 marks).
Sources: Cambridge International A Level Physics 9702 syllabus (2025-2027); 9702 Examiner Reports 2022-2024; 9702/42 May/Jun 2024 question paper and mark scheme. Last reviewed 2026-05-11.
Worked examples, formulae, definitions and the mistakes examiners flag — everything you need to push from a pass to an A*.
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Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on gravitational field, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.
Question
Find at a location where a 5.0 kg mass weighs 49.0 N. (4 marks)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
.
Answer
N/kg.
Question
Sketch and describe gravitational field lines for (a) point mass, (b) uniform field near Earth. (5 marks)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1
(a) Point mass. Radial inward lines (like spokes pointing toward mass).
Step 2
(b) Near Earth surface. Parallel downward lines (uniform field).
Step 3
Direction = force on test mass. Spacing = field strength.
Answer
(a) Radial inward. (b) Uniform downward parallel.
The formulae you need to memorise for gravitational field on the Cambridge International A Level 9702 paper, with every variable defined in plain English and a note on when to use it.
When to use
Force per unit mass. Units: N/kg = m/s².
Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for gravitational field answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 Cambridge International A Level 9702 sitting.
Region in which a mass experiences a force.
Force per unit mass at a point. . Units: N/kg = m/s².
The traps other students keep falling into on gravitational field questions — taken from recent Cambridge International A Level 9702 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.
9702 Examiner Reports 2022-2024
Why it happens
Familiarity with m/s².
How to avoid it
Equivalent units: N/kg and m/s². Both correct.
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