CHAPTER-7

GRAVITATION
FILL IN THE BLANKS
1.
2.
3.

4.

5.
6.

The numerical value of the angular velocity of rotation of the earth shold be .... rad/s in order to make the effective
acceleration due to gravity at equator equal to zero.
(1984, 2M)
According to Kepler's second law, the radius vector to a planet from the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal
intervals of time. This law is a consequence of the conservation of .....
(1985, 2M)
A geostationary satellite is orbiting the earth at a height of 6 R above the surface of the earth where R is the radius
of earth. The time period of another satellite at a height of 2.5 R from the surface of the earth is .... hours.
(1987, 2M)
The masses and radii of the Earth and the Moon are M1, R1 and M2, R2 respectively. Their centres are at distance
d apart. The minimum speed with which a particle of mass m should be projected from a point midway between the
two centres so as to escape to infinity is ....
(1988, 2M)
The ratio of earth's orbital angular momentum (about the sun) to its mass is 4.4 1015 m2/s. The area enclosed by
earth's orbit is approximately ....... m2.
(1997C, 1M)
A particle is projected vertically upwards from the surface of earth (radius R) with a kinetic energy equal to half
of the minimum value needed for it to escape. The height to which it rises above the surface of earth is ....
(1997, 2M)

TRUE/FALSE
1.

It is possible to put an artificial satellite into orbit in such a way that it will always remain directly over New Delhi.
(1984; 2M)

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

(a) 64.5
(c) 182.5

Only One option is correct :

1. If the radius of the earth were to shrink by one per
cent, its mass remaining the same, the acceleration due
to gravity on the earth's surface would :(1981; 2M)
(a) decrease
(b) remain unchanged
(c) increase
(d) be zero
2.

1
mgR
2

4.

A statellite S is moving in an elliptical orbit around the

earth. The mass of the satellite is very small compared
to the mass of the earth :
(1998; 2M)
(a) the acceleration of S 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 remain constant
(c) the total mechanical energy of S varies periodically with time
(d) the linear momentum of S remains constant in
magnitude

6.

A simple pendulum has a time period T1 when on the

earth's surface and T2 when taken to a height R above
the earth' surface, where R is the radius of the earth.
The value of T2 /T1 is :
(2001)

(b) 2 mgR

1
mgR
4
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 attraction between the planet and the star is proporional to R5/2,
then :
(1989; 2M)
(a) T2 is proportional to R2
(b) T2 is proportional to R7/2
(c) T2 is proportional to R3/2
(d) T2 is proportional to R3.75
(c) mgR

3.

5.

If g is the acceleration due to gravity on the earth's

surface, the gain in the potential energy of an object
of mass m raised from the surface of the earth to a
height equal to the radius R of the earth, is :
(1983; 1M)
(a)

(b) 129
(d) 730

(d)

7.

If the distance between the earth and the sun were half
its present value, the number of days in a year would
have been :
(1996; 2M)
81

(a) 1

(b)

(c) 4

(d) 2

A geostationary satellite orbits around the earth in a

circular orbit of radius 36,000 km. Then, the time period
of a spy satellite orbiting a few hundred km above the
earth's surface (Re = 6400 km) will approximately be :
(2002)
(a) 1/2h
(b) 1 h
(c) 2 h
(d) 4 h

8.

A double star system consists of two stars A and B

which have time period TA and TB . Radius RA and RB
and mass MA and MB . Choose the correct option.
(2006; 3M)
(a) If TA > TB then RA > RB
(b) If TA > TB then MA > MB
2

2.

TA
RA
(c)
=

TB
RB
9.

(c) the gravitational potential is the same at all points

of circle y2 + z2 = 36
(d) the gravitational potential is the same at all points
on the circle y2 + z2 = 4

(d) TA = TB

A spherically symmetric gravitational system of par-

0 for r R
ticles has a mass density =
where 0 is
0 for r > R
a constant. A test mass can undergo circular motion
under the influence of the gravitational field of particles. Its speed v as a function of distance r from the
centre of the system is represented by (2008; 3M)

The magnitude of the gravitational field at distance r1

and r2 from the centre of a uniform sphere of radius R
and mass M and F1 and F2 respectively. Then :
(1994; 2M)
F1 r1
(a)
= if r1 < R and r2 < R
F2 r2
(b)

F1 r22 if r > R and r > R

=
1
2
F2 r12

(c)

F1 r13 if r < R and r < R

=
1
2
F2 r23

(d)

F1 r12
if r1 < R and r2 < R
=
F2 r22

SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1.

Two satellite S 1 and S 2 revolve round a planet in

coplanar circular orbits in the same sense. Their periods of revolution are 1 h and 8 h respectively. The
radius of the orbit of S 1 is 104 km. When S 2 is closest
to S 1 . Find :
(1986; 6M)
(i) the speed of S 2 relative to S 1.
(ii) the angular speed of S 2 as actually observed by an
astronaut in S 1.

2.

Three particles, each of mass m, are situated at the

vertices of an equilateral triangle of side length a. The
only forces acting on the particles are their mutual
gravitational forces. It is desired that each particle
moves in a circle while maintaining the original mutual
separation a. Find the initial velocity that should be
given to each particle and also the time period of the
circular motion.
(1988; 5M)

3.

An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit

around the earth with a speed equal to half the magnitude of escape velocity from the earth (1990; 8M)
(i) Determine the height of the satellite above the
earth's surface.
(ii) If the satellit is stopped suddenly in its orbit and
allowed to fall freely onto the earth, find the speed
with which it hits the surface of the earth.

4.

Distance between the centre of two stars is 10a. The

masses of these stars are M and 16 M and their radii
a and 2a respectively. A body of mass m is fired
straight from the surface of the larger star towards the
surface of the smaller star. What should be its minimum initial speed to reach the surface of the smaller
star? Obtain the expression in terms of G, M and a.
(1996; 5M)

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
More than one options are correct?
1. A solid sphere of uniform density and radius 4 units
is located with its centre at the origin O of coordinates.
Two spheres of equal radii 1 unit, with their centres at
A ( 2, 0, 0) and B (2, 0, 0) respectively, are taken out
of the solid leaving behind spherical cavities as shown
in figure. Then :
(1993; 2M)
y

A
O

m
B

(a) the gravitational field due to this object at the

origin is zero.
(b) the gravitational field at the point B (2, 0, 0) is zero
82

5.

Because :
Statement-II : An object moving around the earth
under the influence of earth's gravitational force is in
a state of 'free-fall'.
(a) Statement-I is true, statement -II is true, statementII is a correct explanation for statement-I.
(b) statement-I is true, statement-II is true; statementII is NOT a correct explanaion for statement-I.
(c) statement-I is true, statement-II is false.
(d) statement-I is false, statement-II is true.
(2003; 4M)

R
on the surface of the
100
moon (radius R). A projectile is fired vertically upward
from the crater with velocity, which is equal to the
escape velocity v from the surface of the moon. Find
the maximum height attained by the projectile.
There is a crater of depth

ASSERATION AND REASON

1.

This question contains, statement I (assertion) and

statement II (reasons).
Statement-I : An astronaut in an orbiting space station
above the earth experiences weightlessness.
(2008; 3M)

ANSWERS
FILL IN THE BLANKS
1. 1.24 103

2. angular momentum

5. 6.94 1022

6. h = R

4. v = 2

3. 8.48

G
(M 1 + M 2 )
d

TRUE/FALSE
1. F

OBJECTIVE QUESTION (ONLY ONE OPTION)

1. (c)
8. (d)

2. (a)
9. (c)

3.

(b)

4. (b)

5. (a)

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (MORE THAN ONE OPTION)

1. (a, c, d)

2. (a, b)

SUBJECTIV QUESTIONS
1. (i) 104 km/h (ii) 3 104 rad/s

2. v =

3. (i) 6400 km (ii) 7.9 km/s

4.

3 5
2

Gm
a

5. 99.5R

ASSERTION AND REASON

1. (a)

83

Gm
a3
, T = 2
a
3Gm

6. (d)

7. (c)

SOLUTIONS
FILL IN THE BLANKS

dA
L
=
dt
2m
where L = Angular momentum of planet (earth) about
sun and m = mass of planet (earth).

g' = g R2 cos 2

1.

At equator = 0

g' = g Rw2
0 = g Rw2

9.8

g
=
R

6400 103

= 1.24 10

2.

L
= 4.4 1015 m2/s
m
Area enclosed by earth in time T (365 = days) will
be
Given :

rad/s

Area =

dA
L
=
= constant because angular momentum of
dt 2M
planet (L) about the centre of sun is constant.
Thus, this law comes from law of conservation of
angular momentum.

1
4.4 1013 365 24 3600m2
2
Area = 6.94 1022 m2.
=

6.

T r3/2

3.

3/2

GMm GMm
GMm

=
4R
R
( R + h)

3/2

3.5R
T1 =

7R

(24)h

1
1
1
=
4R R
R+h

= 8.48h
M1

1 4
1
=
4R
R+h

M2

3( R + h) = 4 R

m
d/2

1 2GM

2 R

1 2GM GMm
GMm
m

=
2
4R
R
( R + h)

3/2

r2
or T2 =
r1

V=

From conservation of energy

T2
r2
T1 = r1

dA
L
.T =
.T
dt
2m

h=

R
3

d/2

TRUE FALSE
4.

Total mechanical energy of mass m at a point midway

between two centres is :

E=

GM 1m GM 2 m
2Gm

=
( M1 + M 2 )
d /2
d/2
d

2Gm
( M1 + M 2 )
d
Kinetic energy required to escape the mass to infinity
is,

1.

New Delhi is not on the equatorial plane.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (ONLY ONE OPTION)

1.

g=

Binding energy =

2Gm
1 2
( M1 + M 2 )
mve =
d
2

R2
1

R2
g will increase if R decreases.
U =

2.

G( M 1 + M 2 )
d
Areal velocity of a planet round the sun is constant
and is given by

5.

or

GM

ve = 2

mgh
h
1+
R

Given, h = R
U =

84

mgR 1
= mgR
R 2
1+
R

mv 2
R5/2
R
v R3/4

3.

2R
T=
v

Now,

8.

In case of binary star system angular velocity and

hence the time period of both the stars are equal.

9.

For r R

GmM mv
=
r
r2

or

R
T2
v

or

T2

R
3/4
R

T2 R7/2

or
4.

From Kepler's third law

T2 r3 or T (r)3/2
3/2

3/2

r2
or T2 = T1
r1

5.

6.

GM

i.e.

T2
=
T1

or,

R3

Mr 3
R3

.r

g
Using g (h) =
T2 =

2T
h
1

1 +

GM
=v
r

So, (c) is correct.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (ONLY ONE OPTION)

1.

(a) The gravitational field is zero at the centre of a solid

sphere. The small spheres can be considered as negative mass m located at A and B. The gravitational force
due to these masses on a mass at O is equal and
opposite. Hence, the resultant force on mass at O is
zero.
(c and d) are correct because plane of these circles
is y-z, i.e., perpendicular to x-axis i.e., potential at any
point on these two circles will be equal due to the
positive mass M and negative masses m and m.

2.

For r < R, F =

g1
g2

g
where g 1 = acceleration due to gravity at a height h =
R from earth's surface = g/4

7.

v=

M =

3/2

1
= (365)
2
T2 = 129 days

GM GMr 3 GMr 2
=
=
r
rR 3
R3

GMm mv 2
=
r
r2

Force on satellite is always towards earth, therefore,

acceleration of satellite S is always directed towards
centre of the earth. Net torque of this gravitational
force F about centre of earth is zero.Therefore, angular
momentum (both in magnitude and direction) of S
about centre of earh is constant throughout. Since, the
force F is conservative in nature, therefore mechanical
energy of satellite remains constant. Speed of S is
maximum when it is nearest to earth and minimum
when it is forthest.
T

v2 =

vr
For r > R

T2
r2
=

T1
r1

4 3
r
M 3
r3
=
= 3
4 3
M
R R
3

g
=2
g/4

GM
R3

.r or F r

F1 r1 and r < R and r < R

=
1
2
F2 r2
and for r > R, F =

Time period of a satellite very close to earth's surface

is 84.6 min. Time period increases as the distance of
the satellite from the surface of earth increase. So, time
period of spy satellite orbiting a few 100 km above the
earth's surface should be slightly greater than 84.6 min.
Therefore, the most appropriate option is (c) or 2 h.

i.e., F1 =
F2

85

GM
r

or F 1
r2

r22 for r > R and r > R

1
2
r12

SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Further net force on any particle towards centre

Fnet = 2F cos 30

T
r T2/3
r3/2

1.
or

Gm2 3
= 2 2
a 2

2/3

r2
T2
r1 = T1

T
r2 = 2
T1

2/ 3

8
r1 =
1

( )

2/ 3

3Gm 2

a2

10 4 = 4 10 4 km

This net force should be equal to

v2
v1
T2

3Gm 2

T1

a2

r2

2r1 (2 )(104 )
= 2 104 km/h
=
T1
1

(i) Seped of S 2 relative to S 1 = v2 v2 = 104 km/h

(ii) Angular speed of S 2 as observed by S 1

3.

R +h =

= 0.3 103 rad/s

= 3.0 104 rad/s

mv

h=

30

Fnet

30
30

a/2

(a)

(b)

(c)

ve2

4 gR 2
V e2

(ii) From conservation of energy

a/2
3
= cos30 =
r
2
r=

GM

4 gR 2
R = R
2 gR

GMm
GMm 1 2
=
+ mv
2R
R
2

or,

30
30

GM R 2
4gR 2
.
.
4
=
=8
R 2 ve2
ve 2

=
r

GMm
R+h

GMm

2. Centre should be atO and radius r.

We can calculate r by figure (b).

a3
3Gm

mv 2
GMm
=
(i)
( R + h) ( R + h) 2
2
or, mv =

104 m/s
| v1 v2 |
18

=
=
| r2 r1 |
(3 107 m)

2r 2 (a / 3)
=
v
Gm / a

= 2

4
v2 = 2r1 = (2)(4 10 ) = ( 104 ) km/h
T2
8

a/ 3

v=

T=
Now, v1 =

mv 2

Gm
a
Time period of circular motion

r1

mv 2
r

mv 2 GMm GMm GMm

=

=
2
R
2R
2R
mv 2 GMm
=
2
2R

a
3
86

4
2

5.

GM
V =
= gR
R
=

2GM
R
At highest B, vB = 0
Applying conservation of mechanical energy, decrease
in kinetic energy
= increase in gravitational potential energy
=

9.8
6400 10 3 = 98 64 10 4
10

= 7 .9 km/s
4.

Le there are two stars 1 and 2 as shown below :

B VB= 0

16M

M
C1

Speed of particle at A, vA
= escape velocity on the surface of moon

r1

r2

C2

2a

R
100

A
VA

Let P is a point between C1 and C2 , where gravitational field strength is zero. Or at P field strength due
to star 1 is equal and opposite to the field strength due
to star 2. Hence,
GM
G(16M )
2 =
r1
r22
or

=R

r2
=4
r1

or

also r1 + r2 = 10 a
or

4
r2 =
(10a) = 8a
4 +1
and
r1 = 2a
Now, the body of mass m is projected from the surface
of larger star towards the smaller one. Between C2 and
P it will be attracted towards. Therefore, the body should
be prjected to just cross point P because beyond that the
particle is attracted towards the smaller star itself.

From conservation of mechanical energy

ASSERTION AND REASON

1.

GMm 16GMm
1 2

mv min =

r1
r2
2

GMm 16GMm GMm 8GMm

=

8a 8a
a
2a

45 GMm
1
2
mVmin
=
2
8 a
Vmin =

2
2
3R R R

100

1
1
3 1 99 1
=
+

.
or
R
R + h 2R 2 100 R
Solving this equation, we get
h = 99.5R

16GMm
GMm

2a
10a 2a

or

v 2A
= VB VA
2

GM
GM GM
=

R
R + h 2R 3

1 2
mv min
2

= Potential energy of the body at P

Potential energy at the surface of large star

1 2
mvA = UB UA = m (VB VA )
2

3 5 GM

2 a

87

Force acting on astronaut is utilised in providing

necessary centripetal force, thus he feels weightlessness, as he is in a state of free fall.
correct option is (a)