1

GRAVITATION

1) If the earth were to rotate faster than its present speed, the weight of an
object at
a) pole will be more
b) equator will increase
c) equator will decrease but remain unchanged at poles
d) no change at poles and equator.
Ans: C
2) Imagine a light planet revolving around a very massive star in a circular
orbit of radius R with a period of revolution T. If the gravitational force of
5

attraction between planet and star is proportional to R 2 , then T2 is proportional
to
(a) R 3 (b) R 7 / 2
(c) R 5 / 2 (d) R 3 / 2

Sol: (b)
For revolution of planet centripetal force is provided by gravitational force of
attraction
m  2 R  R 5 / 2 
1
 R 7 / 2  T 2  R 7 / 2
T2

3) A satellite S is moving in an elliptical orbit around the earth. The mass of

the satellite is very small compared to the mass of earth
(a) The acceleration of S is always directed towards the centre of the earth
(b) The angular momentum of S about the centre of the earth changes in direction
but its magnitude remains constant
(c) The total mechanical energy of S varies periodically with time
(d) The linear momentum of S remains constant in magnitude

Sol: (a)

4) A mass M is split into two parts, m and (M–m), which are then separated
by a certain distance. What ratio of m/M maximizes the gravitational force
between the two parts
 2

(a) 1/3 (b) 1/2

(c) 1/4 (d) 1/5
Gm (M  m )
Sol: (b) F
r2
dF
For maximum force 0
dm
 GmM Gm 2 
 d 
 r2  r2
0

dm  

 M  2m  0  m 
1
M 2

5) Suppose the gravitational force varies inversely as the n th power of

distance. Then the time period of a planet in circular orbit of radius R
around the sun will be proportional to
 n 1   n 1 
   
(a) R 2 
(b) R 2 

 n2 
 
(c) Rn (d) R 2 

 4 2 
Sol: (a) m  2 R  1
 m  2 R  1
  T 2  R n 1
R n
 T  Rn
 n 1 
 
 T  R 2 

6) If the radius of the earth were to shrink by 1% its mass remaining the
same, the acceleration due to gravity on the earth's surface would
(a) Decrease by 2% (b)Remain unchanged
(c) Increase by 2% (d) Increase by 1%
Sol: (c) g  GM2 . If mass remains constant then g
1
R R2

% increase in g = 2(% decrease in R) =2 × 1% = 2%

7) A satellite in an equatorial orbit has a time period of 6 hrs. At a certain instant,
it is directly overhead an observer on the equator of the earth. It is directly
overhead the observer again after a time T. The possible value of T is/are
(A) 8 hr (B) 4.8 hr
(C) both (A) and (B) (D) none of these
Ans: c
Sol:  '  s  E
or  '  s  E
2 2 10
  
6 24 24
 3

2 2 6 
  
6 24 24
2
 T  4.8 hour
'
2
 T  8 hour
'

8) A body of mass m is taken from earth surface to the height h equal to

radius of earth, the increase in potential energy will be
(a) mgR (b) 1 mgR
2

(c) 2 mgR (d) 1 mgR

4
mgh 1
Sol: (b) U 
h
 mgR ( h  R)
1 2
R

9) A rocket of mass M is launched vertically from the surface of the earth

with an initial speed V. Assuming the radius of the earth to be R and
negligible air resistance, the maximum height attained by the rocket above
the surface of the earth is
(a) R /  gR
2

 1 (b) R  gR
2

 1
 2 V   2 V 

(c) R /  2 gR2  1  (d) R  2 gR2  1 

 V   V 

Sol: (c)

K . E .   U
1 1 1 
 MV 2  GM e M    …(i)
2 R R h
GM e
Also g …(ii)
R2
R
On solving (i) and (ii) h
 2 gR 
 2  1
 V 

10) Two bodies of masses m1 and m 2 are initially at rest at infinite distance
apart. They are then allowed to move towards each other under mutual
gravitational attraction. Their relative velocity of approach at a separation
distance r between them is
 4

1/2 1/2
(a) 2G (m1  m 2 )  (b)  2G (m1  m 2 
 r   r 
1/2 1/2
(c)  r 
 (d)  2G m1m 2 
 2 G (m m )
1 2   r 

Sol: (b) Let velocities of these masses at r distance from each other be v1 and v2

respectively.
By conservation of momentum
m1v1  m 2 v 2  0

 m 1 v1  m 2 v 2 … (i)
By conservation of energy
change in P.E.=change in K.E.
Gm 1 m 2 1 1
 m 1 v 12  m 2 v 22
r 2 2
m 12 v 12 m 22 v 22 2 Gm 1 m 2
   …(ii)
m1 m2 r

On solving equation (i) and (ii)

2 Gm 22 2 Gm 12
v1  and v2 
r(m 1  m 2 ) r(m 1  m 2 )

2G
 v app | v1 |  | v 2 |  (m 1  m 2 )
r

11) A satellite is launched into a circular orbit of radius R around the earth.
A second satellite is launched into an orbit of radius (1.01)R. The period of
the second satellite is larger than that of the first one by approximately
(a)0.5% (b)1.0%
(c)1.5% (d)3.0%
Sol: (c)In the problem orbital radius is increased by 1%.
Time period of satellite T  r 3 / 2
Percentage change in time period
3 3
= (% change in orbital radius) = (1 %)  1 . 5 %
2 2

12) If the distance between the earth and the sun becomes half its present
value, the number of days in a year would have been
(a) 64.5 (b)129
 5

(c) 182.5 (d)730

Sol: (b)According to Kepler's third law, the ratio of the squares of the periods of any
two planets revolving about the sun is equal to the ratio of the cubes of their
average distances from the sun i.e.
2 3 3
 T1  r   r 

T
  1
 r
  1  8
 1
 T1
2 2
 2   2   2 r1  T2

T1 365 days
 T2    129 days
2 2 2 2

13) A geostationary satellite orbits around the earth in a circular orbit of

radius 36000 km. Then, the time period of a satellite orbiting a few
hundred kilometres above the earth’s surface (REarth  6400 km ) will
approximately be
(a)1/2 h (b)1 h
(c)2 h (d)4 h

3/2 3/2
T 2  r2   6400 
Sol: (c)    T 2  24    2 hour
T1  r1   36000 

14) Assuming the earth to have a constant density, point out which of the
following curves show the variation of acceleration due to gravity from the
centre of earth to the points far away from the surface of earth
g g

(a) R r (b) R r
g

(c) (d) None of these

R r

1
Sol: (c) g  r (if r  R ) and g (if r > R)
r2
 6

15) The diagram showing the variation of gravitational potential of earth

with distance from the centre of earth is
V V

R R
O O
r r
(a) (b)

V V

R R
O O
(c) r (d) r

 2  GM GM
Sol: (c) Vin   Gm 3   r   , Vsurface  , Vout 
2 R   R   R r

16) By which curve will the variation of gravitational potential of a hollow

sphere of radius R with distance be depicted
V V

R
O O
R r r
(a) (b)

V
V

R
O R
r O
r
(c) (d)

Sol: (c) For hollow sphere

GM GM GM
Vin  , Vsurface  , Vout 
R R r

i.e. potential remain constant inside the sphere and it is equal to potential at the
surface and increase when the point moves away from the surface of sphere
 7

17) Which one of the following graphs represents correctly the variation of
the gravitational field (F) with the distance (r) from the centre of a
spherical shell of mass M and radius a

I
I

(a) (b)

r =a r
r =a r

I I

(c) (d)

r =a r r =a r

Sol: (d) Intensity will be zero inside the spherical shell.

1
I = 0 upto r = a and I when r a
r2

18) Which of the following graphs represents the motion of a planet moving
about the sun

T2 T2

(a) (b)
R3 R3

T2 T2

R3 R3
(c) (d)

Sol: (c) Kepler's law T2  R3

19) The curves for potential energy (U) and kinetic energy (Ek ) of a two
particle system are shown in figure. At what points the system will be
bound?
 8

(a) Only at point D Ek

Energy
(b) Only at point A O
A B C D
r
(c) At point D and A U

(d) At points A, B and C

Sol: (d) The system will be bound at points where total energy is negative. In the
given curve at point A, B and C the P.E. is more than K.E
20) The correct graph representing the variation of total energy (Et ) kinetic
energy (Ek ) and potential energy (U) of a satellite with its distance from the
centre of earth is

E E
Energ

Energ
y

U
(a) O
(b) K
O
r r
K U
Energ

Energ
y

K K
O O
E r r
U U
(c) (d)
E

Sol: (c) U  GMm , K  GMm and E

GMm
r 2r 2r

For a satellite U,K and E varies with r and also U and E remains negative
whereas K remain always positive.

21) A shell of mass M and radius R has a point mass m placed at a distance r
from its centre. The gravitational potential energy U (r) vs r will be
(a) r
(b) O R
r
O

U(r) U(r)
 9

(c) O r (d) O r

GMm
R

U(r) U(r)

Sol: (c)Gravitational P.E. = m × gravitational potential

U  mV So the graph of U will be same as that of V for a spherical shell

22) Two identical spheres are placed in contact with each other. The force of
gravitation between the spheres will be proportional to (R = radius of each
sphere)
(a) R (b) R 2
(c) R 4 (d)None of these
2
4 
G   R 3   6
MM  3   F  R  R4
Sol: (c) FG 2
 2
R (2 R ) R2

23) A certain quaternary star system consists of three stars, each of mass m,
moving in same circular orbit about a stationary central star of mass M. The
three identical stars orbit in same sense and are symmetrically located with
respect to each other (The centre of all stars lie in one plane). Considering
gravitational force of all remaining bo
bodies
dies on every star, the time period of
each of three stars is :

r3 r3
2π 2π
A)  m B)  m 
GM +  GM + 
 3  3

r3 r3
C) 2π D) 2π
G  M + 3m  
G M + 3m 

Sol: (B)
The distance between the orbiting stars is . The net
inward force on orbiting stars is
 10

24) A satellite is moved from one circ

circular
ular orbit around the earth, to
another of lesser radius. Which of the following statement is
true ?
A) The kinetic energy of satellite increases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system increases;
B) The kinetic energy of satellite increases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system decreases;
C) The kinetic energy of satellite decreases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system decreases;
D) The kinetic energy of satellite decreases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system increases.

Sol: (B)
In the circular motion around the Earth, the centri
centripetal
petal force on the
satellite is a gravitational force.
Therefore, , where M is the mass of the Earth, R is the radius
of the orbit of satellite and G is the universal gravitational constant.
Therefore, the kinetic energy increases with the decrease in the radius of
the orbit. The gravitational potential energy is negative and decreases
with the decrease in radius

25) If a satellite is revolving around a planet of mass M in an elliptic orbit of

semi-major
major axis a, the orbital speed of the satellite when it is at a distance r
from the focus.
a) V 2  GM    b) V 2  GM 
2 1 2 1

 r a 
2
r a
 11

c) V 2  GM 
2 1
d) V 2  G   
2 1
 2
 r a 
3
r a
Sol: (A)
As in case of elliptic orbit of a satellite mechanical energy E=-(GMm/2a)
(GMm/2a)
remains constant , at any position of satellite in the orbit,
1 2 GMm GMm 2 1 
Therefore mv   , i.e, v 2  GM   
2 r 2a r a
26) A planet o density  is rotating with time period T about its own axis. Find
the smallest possible time of revolution of the planet, such that a particle is
 3 
remaining in contact with the planet on equator.   4  106 S .I .units 
 G 

A) 2000 sec B) 1000 sec C) 30000 sec D) 4000

00 sec

Sol: (A)

For any mass on surface

27) A Satellite is revolving round the Earth with orbital speed V0. If it stops
suddenly, the speed with which it will strike the surface of the Earth would
be (Ve = escape velocity of a particle on Earths surface)

Ve2 V0
a) b) Ve2  V02 c) Ve2  2V02 d)
V0 2
Sol: (C)
GMm 1 2 GMm
  mv  
R 2 R1
GM v 2 GM
  
R 2 R1
ve2 v 2
+   v 02
2 2
 12

v 2 ve2
  v02  V  Ve2  2V02
2 2

28) A satellite is in a circular polar orbit of altitude 324 km. The separation d at the
equator between the ground tracks associated with successive overhead passes
of the satellite in nearly (Radius of earth, Re = 6400 km, Rotational velocity at
equator is 465 m/s)

a) 1000 km b) 1500 km c) 2516 km d) 3000 km

sol: (C)
r3 r3
Time period T  2  2
GM gRe2
Given, r   6400  324  km, g  10m / s 2 , Re  6400 km
2  6724  103 6724  103
T
6400  103 10
 5.410  103 s
d  vT  465  5.410  103  2516  103 m
= 2516 km

29) A certain quaternary star system consists of three stars, each of mass m,
moving in same circular orbit about a stationary central star of mass M. The
three identical stars orbit in same sense and are symmetrically located with
respect to each other (The centre of all stars lie in one plane). Considering
gravitational force of all remaining bodies on every star, the time period of
each of three stars is :

r3 r3
2π 2π
A)  m B)  m 
GM +  GM + 
 3  3
 13

r3 r3
C) 2π D) 2π
G  M + 3m  
G M + 3m 

Sol: (B)

The distance between the orbiting stars is . The net

inward force on orbiting stars is

30) A satellite is moved from one circular orbit around the earth, to another
of
lesser radius. Which of the following statement is true ?

A) The kinetic energy of satellite increases and the gravitational

potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system increases;
B) The kinetic energy of satellite increases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system decreases;
C) The kinetic energy of satellite decreases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system decreases;
D) The kinetic energy of satellite decreases and the gravitational
potential energy of satellite
satellite-earth system increases.

Sol: (B)
In the circular motion around the Earth, the centripetal force on the
satellite is agravitational force.
Therefore, , where M is the mass of the Earth, R is the radius
of the orbit of satellite and G is the universal gr
gravitational
constant.Therefore,the
the kinetic energy increases with the decrease in the
 14

radius of the orbit. The gravitational potential energy is negative and

decreases with the decrease in radius.
31) Two particles of combined mass M, placed in space with certain separation,
are released. Interaction between the particles is only of gravi
gravitational
tational nature
and there is no external force present. Acceleration of one particle with
respect to the other when separation between them is R, has a magnitude :

A) B)

C) D) not possible to calculate due to lack of information

Sol: (B)

acceleration of M1 w.r.t. M2

32) An earth satellite is moved from one stable circular orbit to a further
stable circular orbit, which one of the following quantities increase

(a) Gravitational force (b)

(b)Gravitational P.E.
(c) Linear orbital speed (d)
(d)Centripetal acceleration

Sol: (b) U  GMm . If r increases then U also increases

r

33) There is no atmosphere on the moon because

(a) It is closer to the earth

(b) It revolves round the earth
(c) It gets light from the sun
 15

(d) The escape velocity of gas molecules is lesser than their root mean square
velocity here

Sol: (d)

34) If the value of g at the surface of the earth is 9.8 m / sec 2 , then the value of
g at a place 480 km above the surface of the earth will be (Radius of the
earth is 6400 km)

(a) 8 .4 m / sec 2 (b) 9 .8 m / sec 2

(c) 7 .2 m / sec 2 (d) 4 .2 m / sec 2
Sol: (a)
1
The value of g on the surface of the earth g
R2
1
At height h from the surface of the earth g 
(R  h) 2

R2 9 .8  (6400 )2
 g  g 2
  8 . 4 m /s 2
(R  h) (6400  480 )2

35) The acceleration due to gravity about the earth's surface would be half of
its value on the surface of the earth at an altitude of (R = 4000 mile)
(a)1200 mile (b) 2000 mile
(c)1600 mile (d) 4000 mile
2 2 2
Sol: (c) g'   R 
  1  R 
   1   4000 

g  R h 2  R h 2  4000  h 

By solving we get h  1656 .85 mile  1600 mile

36) A pendulum clock is set to give correct time at the sea level. This clock is
moved to hill station at an altitude of 2500 m above the sea level. In order
to keep correct time of the hill station, the length of the pendulum
(a)Has to be reduced
(b)Has to be increased
(c)Needs no adjustment
(d)Needs no adjustment but its mass has to be increased
l
Sol: (a) T  2 . At the hill g will decrease so to keep the time period same the length
g

of pendulum has to be reduced