GRAVITATION

CONCEPTS
 Kepler's law of planetry motion

(a) Kepler's first law (law of orbit): Every planet revolves around the sun in an
elliptical orbit with the sun is situated at one focus of the ellipse.

(b) Kepler's second law (law of area): The radius vector drawn from the sun to a
planet sweeps out equal areas in equal intervals of time , i.e., the areal velocity of
the planet around the sun is constant.

(c) Kepler's third law (law of period): The square of the time period of revolution of a
planet around the sun is directly proportional to the cube of semimajor axis of the
elliptical orbit of the planet around the sun.

 Gravitation is the name given to the force of attraction acting between any two
bodies of the universe.

 Newton's law of gravitation: It states that gravitational force of attraction acting

between two point mass bodies of the universe is directly proportional to the
product of their masses and is inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them, i.e., F=Gm1m2/r2, where G is the universal
gravitational constant.

 Gravitational constant (G): It is equal to the force of attraction acting between

two bodies each of unit mass, whose centres are placed unit distance apart.
Value of G is constant throughout the universe. It is a scalar quantity. The
dimensional formula G =[M-1L3T-2]. In SI unit, the value of G =6.67X10-
11
Nm2kg-2.

 Gravity: It is the force of attraction exerted by earth towards its centre on a

body lying on or near the surface of earth. Gravity is the measure of weight of
the body. The weight of a body of mass m=mass X acceleration due to
gravity=mg. The unit of weight of a body will be the same as those of force.

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 Acceleration due to gravity (g): It is defined as the acceleration set up in a
body while falling freely under the effect of gravity alone. It is vector quantity.
The value of g changes with height, depth, rotation of earth the value of g is
zero at the centre of the earth. The value of g on the surface of earth is 9.8
ms-2. The acceleration due to gravity (g) is related with gravitational constant
(G) by the relaion, g=GM/R2 where M and R are the mass and radius of the
earth.

 Variation of acceleration due to gravity:

(a) Effect of altitude, g’=Gr2/(R+h)2 and g’=g(1-2h/R)

The first is valid when h is comparable with R and the second relation
is valid when h<<R.

The value of g decreases with increase in h.

(b) Effect of depth g’=g(1-d/R)

The acceleration due to gravity decreases with increase in depth d and

becomes zero at the center of earth.

(c) Effect of rotation of earth: g’=g-R ω2

The acceleration due to gravity on equator decreases on account of

rotation of earth and increase with the increase in latitude of a place.

 Gravitational field: It is the space around a material body in

which its gravitational pull can be experienced by other bodies.
The strength of gravitational field at a point is the measure of
gravitational intensity at that point. The intensity of gravitational
field of a body at a point in the field is defined as the force
experienced by a body of unit mass placed at that point
provided the presence of unit mass does not disturb the original
gravitational field. The intensity of gravitational field at a point
distance r from the center of the body of mass M is given by

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 E=GM/r2=acceleration due to gravity.

 Gravitational potential: The gravitational potential at a point in

a gravitational field is defined as the amount of work done in
bringing a body of unit mass from infinity to that point without
acceleration. Gravitational potential at a point, V=work

done(W)/test mass(m0)= -GM/r. V= = -

Gravitational intensity (I) is related to gravitational potential (V)

at a point by the relation, E= -dV/dr

 Gravitational potential energy of a body, at a point in

the gravitational field of another body is defined as the
amount of work done in bringing the given body from
infinity to that point without acceleration.

Gravitational potential energy U=gravitational potential X

mass of body =- X m.

 Inertial mass of a body is defined as the force required

to produce unit acceleration in the body.

Gravitational mass of a body is defined as the

gravitational pull experienced by the body in a
gravitational field of unit intensity.

Inertial mass of a body is identical to the gravitational

mass of that body. The main difference is that the
gravitational mass of a body is affected by the presence
of other bodies near it. Whereas the inertial mass of a
body remains unaffected by the presence of other bodies
near it.

 Satellite: A satellite is a body which is revolving

continuously in an orbit around a comparatively much

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 larger body.

(a) Orbital speed of satellite is the speed required to

put the satellite into given orbit around earth.

 Time period of satellite(T): It is the time taken by satellite

to complete one revolution around the earth.
( + )
T= √

 Height of satellite above the earth surface:

 Total energy of satellite, E=P.E +K.E=

( + )

Blinding energy of satellite = -E = GM m/(R+h)

 Geostationary satellite: A satellite which revolves around the earth with the
same angular speed in the same direction as is done by the earth around its
axis is called geostationary or geosynchronous satellite. The height of
geostationary satellite is = 36000 km and its orbital velocity = 3.1 km s-1.

 Polar satellite: It is that satellite which revolves in polar orbit around earth ,i.e.
, polar satellite passes through geographical north and south poles of earth
once per orbit.

 Escape speed: The escape speed on earth is defined as the minimum speed
with which a body has to be projected vertically upwards from the surface of
earth( or any other planet ) so that it just crosses the gravitational field of
earth (or of that planet) and never returns on its own. Escape velocity ve is

given by, ve =√ =√ . For earth, the value of escape speed is

11.2kms-1.

 For a point close to the earth’s surface , the escape speed and orbital speed
are related as ve =√

 Weightlessness: It is a situation in which the effective weight of the body

becomes zero.

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GOVERNED BY MEASURED THROUGH APPLICATIONS

NEWTON’S LAW OF ACCELERATION DUE

GRAVITATION TO GRAVITY (g)

ESCAPE SATELLITE
VELOCITY

MATHEMATICAL VARIES DUE TO

LY MATHEMATICALLY

𝑚 𝑚 𝐺𝑀
F G V=√
𝑟𝑛 𝑅

V=√ 𝑔𝑅

ALTIDUDE ROTATION OF
DEPTH 𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑀
ɠ=g(1- ) EARTH/LATITUDE ORBITAL VELOCITY v=√ =√𝑅+
𝑟 𝑑 𝑟
ɠ=g(1 - 𝑅) ɠ=g(1-Rꙍ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝞥)
𝑔
V=R √
𝑅+
CAUSES MOTION OF
PLANETS EXPLAINED BY (𝑅+ )
TIME PERIOD T=2π√ 𝐺𝑀

(𝑅+ )
T=2π√
𝑔

KEPLER’S LAW 𝑟
T=2π√𝑔𝑥

HEIGHT h={𝑔𝑅 𝑇 } 𝑅
LAW OF LAW OF AREAL
LAW OF TIME
ELLIPTICAL VELOCITIES
1MARK
ORBITS
QUESTIONS PERIODS

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Q1.When a stone of mass m is falling on the earth of mass M; find the acceleration
of earth if any?

Ans. Force exerted by falling stone on earth, F=mg

Acceleration of earth= =

Q2.Why G is called a universal constant?

Ans. It is so because the value of G is same for all the pairs of the bodies (big or
small) situated anywhere in the universe.

Q3.According to Kepler’s second law the radius vector to a planet from the sun
sweeps out equal area in equal interval of time. The law is a consequence of which
conservation law.

Ans. Law of Conservation of angular momentum.

Q4.What are the factors which determine ; Why some bodies in solar system have
atmosphere and others don’t have?

Ans. The ability of a body (planet) to hold the atmosphere depends on

acceleration due to gravity.

Q5.What is the maximum value of gravitational potential energy and where?

Ans. The value of gravitational potential energy is negative and it increases as we

move away from the earth and becomes maximum ( zero) at infinity.

Q6.The gravitational potential energy of a body at a distance r from the center of

earth is U. What is the weight of the body at that point?

Ans. U= =( ) r m=g r m= (mg) r

Q7.A satellite revolving around earth loses height. How will its time period be
changed?

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 ( + )
Ans. Time period of satellite is given by; T=2 √ . Therefore ,T will decrease,

when h decreases.

Q8.Should the speed of two artificial satellites of the earth having different masses
but the same orbital radius, be the same?

Ans.Yes it is so because the orbital speed of a satellite is independent of the mass

of a satellite. Therefore the speeds of the artificial satellite will be of different masses
but of the same orbital radius will be the same.

Q9.Can a pendulum vibrate in an artificial satellite?

Ans. No, this is because inside the satellite, there is no gravity ,i.e., g=0.

As t = 2π√ / , hence, for g=0 , t = . Thus, the pendulum will not vibrate.

Q10.Why do different planets have different escape speed?

Ans. As, escape speed =√ / , therefore its value are different for different
planets which are of different masses and different sizes.

2 MARKS QUESTIONS

Q1.Show that weight of all body is zero at Centre of earth?

Ans. The value of acceleration due to gravity at a depth d below the surface of earth
of radius R is given by ɠ=g(1-d/R).At the center of earth, (dept)d=R; so, ɠ =0.The
weight of a body of mass m at the centre of earth =mg’=m x 0=0.

Q2.If a person goes to a height equal to radius of the earth from its surface. What
would be his weight relative to that on the earth.

Ans. At the surface of the earth, weight W=mg=GM m/ .

At height h =R , weight W’=mg’= = = = W’=

( + ) ( + ) ( )

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It means the weight would reduce to one-fourth of the weight on the surface of earth.

Q3.What will be the effect on the time period of a simple pendulum on taking to a
mountain?

Ans. The time period of a pendulum, T=2π√ / , i.e., T= 1/√ .As the value of g is
less at mountain than at plane, hence time period of simple pendulum will be more
at mountain than at plane though the change will be very small.

Q4.A satellite is revolving around the earth, close to the surface of earth with a
kinetic energy E. How much kinetic energy should be given to it so that it escapes
from the surface of earth?

Ans. Let be the orbital and escape speeds of the satellite, then =√ .

Energy in the given orbit,

Energy for the escape speed, (√ )

Energy required to be supplied = .

Q5.A tennis ball and a cricket ball are to be projected out of gravitational field of the
earth. Do we need different velocities to achieve so?

Ans. We require the same velocity for the two balls, while projecting them out of the
gravitational field. It is so because, the value of escape velocity does not depend
upon the mass of the body to be projected [i.e. , =√ ].

Q6.Suppose the gravitational force varies inversely as the nth power of the distance.
Show that the time period of a planet in circular orbit of radius R around the sun will
( + )/
be proportional to .

Ans. ( )

( + )

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 ( + )/
√

( + )/

Q7.Draw graphs showing the variation of acceleration due to gravity with (a)height
above the earth’s surface, (b)depth below the Earth’s surface.

Ans.(a)The variation of g with height h is related by relation g 1/ where r=R+h.

Thus, the variation of g and r is a parabolic curve.

(b)The variation of g with depth is released by equation g’=g(1-d/R) i.e. g’ ( )

.Thus, the variation of g and d is a straight line.

Q8.Why does moon have no atmosphere?

Ans. Moon has no atmosphere because the value of acceleration due to gravity ‘g’
on surface of moon is small. Therefore, the value of escape speed on the surface of
moon is small. The molecules of atmospheric gases on the surface of the moon
have thermal speeds greater than the escape speed. That is why all the molecules
of gases have escaped and there is no atmosphere on moon.

Q9.A rocket is fired with a speed v=2√ the earth’s surface and directed
upwards. Find its speed in interstellar space.

Ans. Let v be the speed of rocket instellar space.

Using law of conservation of energy, we have ( √ ) =

= (√ )

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3 marks questions

Q1.Explain how knowledge of g helps us to find (i) mass of earth and (ii)mean
density of earth?

Q2. Obtain the expression for orbital velocity, time period, and altitude of a satellite.

Q3. What do you understand by ‘Escape velocity’? Derive an expression for it in

terms of parameters of given planet.

Q4. What do you understand by gravitational field, Intensity of gravitational field .

Prove that gravitational intensity at a point is equal to the acceleration due to gravity
at that point.

Q5.A mass M is broken into two parts of masses . How are

related so that force of gravitational attraction between the two parts is maximum.

Ans. Let then Gravitational force of attraction between them

( )
when placed distance r apart will be .

Differentiating it w.r.t. m, we get

[ ( ) ( ) ] [ ( 1) ( )

If F is maximum, then ;

Then ( ) or M=2m or m=

Q6.Two particles of equal mass move in a circle of radius r under the action of their
mutual gravitational attraction. Find the speed of each particle if its mass is m.

Ans. The two particles will move on a circular path if they always remain dramatically
opposite so that the gravitation force on one particle due to other is directed along
the radius. Taking into consideration the circulation of one particle we have

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 or √
( )

Q7.The magnitude of gravitational field at distances from the centre of a

uniform sphere of radius R and mass M are respectively. Find the ratio of
( / ) if

Ans. When the point lies outside the sphere . Then sphere can be
considered to be a point mass body whose whole mass can be supposed to be
concentrated at its Centre. Then gravitational intensity at a point distance from the
Centre of the sphere will be, /

When the point P lies inside the sphere. The unit mass body placed at P, will

experience gravitational pull due to sphere of radius , whose mass is M’=

Therefore, the gravitational intensity at P will be ,

Q8.Two bodies of masses are initially at rest at infinite distance apart.

They are then allowed to move towards each other under mutual gravitational
attraction. Find their relative velocity of approach at a separation distance r between
them.

Ans. Let be the relative velocity of approach of two bodies at a distance r apart.
The reduced mass of the system of two particles is , .
+

According to law of conservation of mechanical energy.

Decrease in potential energy = increase in K.E.

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 ( + )
( ) or ( ) or √
+

Q9.Since the moon is gravitationally attracted to the earth, why does it not
simply crash on earth?

Ans. The moon is orbiting around the earth in a certain orbit with a certain
period . The centripetal force required for the orbital motion is provided to the
gravitational pull of earth. The moon can crash into the earth if its tangential
velocity is reduced to zero. AS moon has tangential velocity while orbiting
around earth, it simply falls around the earth rather than into it and hence
cannot crash into the earth.

Q10.What are the conditions under which a rocket fired from earth, launches
an artificial satellite of earth?

Ans. Following are the basic conditions: (i) The rocket must take the satellite to
a suitable height above the surface of earth for ease of propulsion.

(ii)From the desired height, the satellite must be projected with a suitable
speed, called orbital speed.

(iii)In the orbital path of satellite, the air resistance should be negligible so that
its speed does not decrease and it does not burn due to the heat produced.

5 marks questions
Q1.State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. Prove second Kepler’s law using
concept of conservation of angular motion.

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Q2.State universal law of gravitation. What is the significance of this law. Find the
expression for acceleration due to gravity.

Q3.Explain the variation of acceleration due to gravity with (I) altitude (ii) depth

Q4. Define gravitational potential energy. Derive the expression for gravitational
potential energy. What is the maximum value of gravitational potential energy?

Q5.What is escape speed? Derive the expressions for it. Calculate escape speed for
the Earth.

TYPICAL PROBLEMS
Q1.Two particles of equal mass go round a circle of radius R under the action of
their mutual gravitational attraction. Find the speed of each particle.

Ans. The particles will always remain diametrically opposite so that the force on
each particle will be directed along the radius. Consider the motion of one of the

particles. The force on the particle is . If the speed is v, its acceleration is

/ .

Thus by Newton’s Law,

V=√

Q2.A particle is fired vertically upward with a speed of 3.8km/s. Find the maximum
height attained by the particle. Radius of earth=6400km and g at the
surface=9.8m/s. Consider only earth’s gravitation.

Ans. At the surface of the earth, the potential energy of the earth-particle system is
with usual symbol. The kinetic energy is 1/2 m where / . At the

maximum height the kinetic energy is zero. If the maximum height reached is H, the
potential energy of the earth-particle system at this instant is . Using
+

conservation of energy , +

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Writing GM=g dividing by m,

Putting the value of R, g on right side,

( )
( / )

H = (27300 - 6400)km =20900km

3. Derive an expression for the gravitational field due to a uniform rod of length L
and mass M at a point on its perpendicular bisector at a distance d from the center.

Ans. A small section of rod is considered at ‘x’ distance mass of the element = (M/L).
dx = dm
( ) ( )
( + ) ( + ) √( + ( + )(√( + )

Total gravitational field

/
E=∫
( + ) /

Integrating the above equation it can be found that,

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Resultant dE = 2 dE1 sin
( )
( + ) √( + ( + )(√( + )

Total gravitational field

/
E=∫
( + ) /

Integrating the above equation it can be found that,

Q4.A tunnel is dug along a diameter of the earth. Find the force on a particle of mass
m placed in the tunnel at a distance x from the centre.

Ans. Let d be the distance from centre of earth to man ‘m’ then

1
√ ( ) ( )√

M be the mass of the earth, M’ the mass of the sphere of radius d/2.

Then M = (4/3) π

M’ = (4/3)π

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Or

So, Normal force exerted by the wall = F cos

Therefore I think normal force does not depend on x.

Q5. (a) Find the radius of the circular orbit of a satellite moving with an angular
speed equal to the angular speed of earth’s rotation.

(b)If the satellite is directly above the north pole at some instant , find the time it
takes to come over equatorial plane. Mass of the earth= 1

Ans.(a) Angular speed f earth & the satellite will be same

Or

1 1

( )
√

( + )
Or 1 | 1 √

( + ) ( )
Or ( )

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 ( + ) ( )
Or ( ) ( )

( + )
Or 1

Or ( ) 1
/
Or ( 1 )

Or ( 1 )

(b)Time taken from north pole to equator = (1/2) t

1 ( ) ( ) 1
( ) √ 1 √
1 ( ) 1 ( ) 1

1 √
1

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