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Chapter # 5
The Gravitation
Composed by:
Muhammad Rashid
Khan
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THE GRAVITATION

Define the term GRAVITY

According to Newton there exists a force due to which everybody in the uni-
verse attracts every other body towards its centre . This force of attraction been two
bodies is called the Force of Gravitation

.
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Define the law of Gravitation also write its mathematical relation

Definition.
According to Newton,
“Everybody in the universe attracts every other body with a force which is di-
rectly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between their centers”.
Mathematical explanation.
Consider two masses m1 andm2 , Let ‘d’ is the distance between their centres. And
‘F’ is the force of attraction between them

F ∝ m1 m2 and

1
F ∝
d
2

m 1 m2
⇒ F ∝
d
2

m1 m2
⇒F = G 2
d
Where G is called gravitational constant its value is same throughout the universe
G= 6.673×10−11 Nm2 kg−2.

The value of G can be determine by taking unit masses and unit distances
2
Fd
By the formula G = m1 m2 = 6.673×10−11 Nm2 kg−2.
How we can find the unit of ‘G’
newton meter square
As we know the = kilogram × kilogram = Nm2 kg−2
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Why we cannot feel the force of gravitation between things around us

Due to very small value of G force of attraction between bodies around us is very
small as compare to earth so we can not feel it as compare to earth.
For example: Let two men A = 100 kg and B= 50 kg are kept at a distance of 1meter
away from each other then the force of gravity between then we calculate

m1 m2
F= G d
2

−11
6.673× 10 ×100 × 50
By putting the above = 2 = 0.0000003337 N which is too much
1
minimum that we can not feel it
And again with second law F=ma in this example
A for one body whose mass is 100 kg have its acceleration
F 0.0000003337
Accelration a = = = 3.337×10−9 m/ s2 which is too much minimum that we
m 100
cannot sense it
That’s why we cannot feel the force of attraction between things on earth.

Define the causes of weight on earth.

The weight of any object on earth is due to attraction between the earth
m1 m2
and object. By the formula F = G d
2

which is equal to the w=mg means that on earth due to minimum value of G
and the distance between object and earth’s center nearly equal to radius of earth
G m2
then can be replaced by ‘g’ then total force of gravity becomes
radius
m1 m2
⇒ Weight w = F= G 2 = m1 g
d
⇒W= mg which is formula of weight

Define the relation between law of gravitation and New-

ton’s third law.
The Newton law of gravitation and Newton’s third law satisfy ,each other as
we know Newton third law “To every action there is always an equal but opposite reac-
tion”. While law of gravitation also states that in terms of third law “the action and reac-
tion due to force of gravitation is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction”
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Let two bodies A and B of mass m1 and body of mass m2 .Then with the Newton’s
law of gravity the force of attraction between them is given by formula
m1 m2
F= G 2 According to this, both bodies attract each other
r
with the same force but their direction of attraction will be opposite to each other .
Let body A attracts body B which is action but at the same time body B also at-
tracts with same but opposite reaction by the same formula so the both rules sat-
isfy each other

Define the gravitational field of earth

The area around the earth where the gravitational pull of earth acts on any object
is called gravitational field of earth.

Field force
“ The force exerted by the earth on any object with which earth attracts the ob-
jects towards its center is called field force, which is equal to the weight of the body at
that point . This is a non contact force, it becomes weaker as we go away from the earth
and becomes stronger as we move towards centre of the earth”.This force is given

by formula.
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Mem
F= G 2 where M e = mass of earth
r

r = distance from centre of earth.

m. =mass of object.
This force exerted by the earth on the object is called, field force which
depends upon mass of object .
On the surface of earth it is equal to the weight of object as we know the Newton
gravitational formula changes as w=mg

What is the gravitational field strength?

“The gravitational force exerted per unit mass of the body is called field strength”
It always equal to the value of ‘g’ at that point.
Value on earth ; The value of it near the earth is 10N/kg.

Direction of field
The direction of this field strength always towards the center of earth
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How we can find the mass of the earth.

Consider a boy of mass m is placed on the surface of the earth. Let the mass
of the earth is ‘Me’ and ‘R’ is its radius as the body is very small as compare to earth
so the distance between the body and earth is taken equal to radius of the earth

. Mass of object = m
m R
a
dR
i

Mass of earth = Me

FORCE OF ATTRACTION
According to the law of gravitation, The force of attraction b/w mass and object is equal
to gravitational force of the earth which is called weight of the object
Mathematical form.
By the Newton’s law of gravity force between object and earth is
Mem
F= G 2
R

As we know F = weight then w = mg ( replace F with mg).

Mem
mg = G 2
R
Me
g = G 2
R
2
gR
Me =
G
Now put the value of g = 10 m s−2 .
R =6.4×10 6 m and G = 6.673×10−11N m2 kg−2
We can find the value of mass of earth.
−2 6 2
10 m s .(6.4 ×10 m)
 Me =
6.673× 10−11 N m2 kg−2
 Me =6×10 24kg.
 Which is mass of the earth.
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Define the variation of g with altitude (with height above the earth) ?
Me
We know the equation drawn from Newton’s law of gravity , g = G 2
R
This equation shows that the value of g is inversely proportional to the square of the
radius R as we increase its value the value of ‘g’ disturbed inversely that means it will
decreased., and as we come towards earth it will increased. consider a body of mass m
is at height h above the earth . then the value of g is given by

Me
gh = G ( R+ h) 2 .
From the above equation we come to know if the body is above equal to the radius of
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earth the value of g becomes 4 times the value of g at earth i-e. g = 2.5 m/
s . Thus the value of g varies with altitude.
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What is the satellite define it.

An object which revolves around any planet is called a satellite , its revolution
may be in circle or in ellipse.
Example. For example moon is natural satellite of earth.
What is artificial satellite also define its motion and also give the absolute value of ve-
locity to send him into its orbit.

“ These are Human made material objects which are sent in to space .some of them
revolve around the earth are called artificial satellites”.
Purposes.
Most of the satellites are used for communication they can carry instruments to perform
experiments in space .
To, transfer the data from one place to other place in seconds.
To provide weather updates.
Define Geo stationary sattellite
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The satellite which are at a distance of 42,300 kilometer and are moving with the speed of
8000m/sec or 8km/sec . they complete its one revolution around earth in 24 hours which is also the
rotational speed of earth with which it completes its one revolution in
24 hours,So they looks stationary in the sky because the velocity of satellite with respect to earth is
zero, and its orbit is called Geo Stationary Orbit.

What are GPS system It is Global Positioning System (GPS)

which consists on 24,Stellites which is used fortelecummunication purposes and can loacte the
exact position of any object on earth any where ,they revolves around earth with the speed of
3.87km/sec and completes two round aroundearth in 24 hours
Motion of satellite.
For the motion of satellite around the earth it requires the necessary centripetal
force which is provided by the gravitation of earth.
Explanation.
Consider a satellite of mass m is revolving around the earth at height h in an orbit
of radius r 0 with an orbital speed v 0.
Then the necessary centripetal force is given as.
2
mv
Fc = ro …………………..(1)
o

This force is provided by the gravitational force between earth and satellite and is equal
to the weight of satellite
Fc =w =m gh put it in (1).

2
m vo
m gh = ro
……..(2) from here by cross multi-
ply
v o = gh r o
2

Taking square root on both sides

v o=√ gh r o ………………………(3).
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If we take r =R+h and R.>>h

o

Then R = R + h
g =g h

v =√ g R o

A satellite revolving around very close to the earth has speed nearly
8km per second, or, 29000km per hour

Do you attract the earth or earth attracts you?

According to Newton law of gravitation earth and we attract each other with same but
opposite force. Because earth attracts everybody with the force equal to the weight
of body.

Can you find the mass of the moon ?

Yes we can also find the mass of moon
For this we must know the
1) The value of the gravitational constant.
2) Radius of the moon.
3) The value of gravitational acceleration on the moon.
Now by using the formula
2
gR
M= we can find the mass of the moon.
G
On what factors the value of orbital speed of a satellite depends?
❑
As we know v o =√ g R
So we can say the orbital speed of satellite depends upon
1 ) gravitational acceleration
2)distance between the centers of the earth. and satellite .
Why the communication satellite are stationary in geostationary orbit
Geostationary satellite take 24 hours to complete its one revolution around earth while
earth also take 24 hours to complete on revolution around its axis so , due to this they
appear to be stationary with respect to earth.
Why Newton law of gravitation is very important to us.
Newton law of gravitation is very important to us ,it helps us to understand the gravity
which is necessary for survival of life cycle on earth we can find the mass of any planet
its radius its density . we can find the orbital speed of satellite. these satellites require
necessary centripetal force which can be calculated by it. The gravitational force , be-
tween satellite and earth provides this centripetal force.
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Why you can say gravitational force is field force?

Since gravitational force is non contact force for example we through any object up-
ward gravity acts on it so its speed decreased while body comes down its velocity in-
creased in this case body is not attached with earth but force acts which is present in
the gravitational field of earth so we can say gravitational force is field force

Why old scientists could not explain the gravity?

The old scientist did not aware about the gravity. They thought there is mystery with
which earth and planet revolve around sun this due to their less knowledge about

science and physics but it was Newton Who explain the term gravity He explained in
1665 ,there is force of attraction between bodies which is called gravity .
Why communication satellites send in geo stationary orbits?
Communication satellites completes their revolution around earth in 24 hours so, with
respect to, earth they looks stationary in their orbits is called geostationary orbit they
send communication information from land station to other parts of earth .
On what factors the value of “g” depends why it change with altitude
As we know the value of g is given by
Me
g=G 2
R
Equation shows the value of g is inversely proportional to the square of distance be-
tween centers of objects
This shows the value of g on earth depends upon the distance which is radius of earth
if we move up this distance increases and ultimately the value of “g” decreases and as
we move down to earth it is increases so g changes with height or altitude and varies
from place to place its value on earth is 10 m/ s2 and at height equal to the radius of earth
above it becomes one fourth of value of “g” at sea level
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Q1 Data: This is the acceleration due to gravity on

m1= 1000kg m2= 1000kg the surface of Mars.
d= 0.5m =========================
G = 6.673×10−11Nm2 kg−2 Q4: Data:
Formula: g = 1.62 m s−2
Gm1 m2 R =1740 km =1.740×10 6m
F= 2
d G = 6.673×10−11Nm2 kg−2 M=?
Putting the values in formula Formula:
−11
6 .673 × 10 ×1000 ×1000 gR
2
F= 2 M = putting the values.
(0 .5) G
F=2.67×10−4N. M= 1 .67 x ¿ ¿
Q2 Data: M= kg which mass of the
d = 1m moon
F= 0.006673N Q5 Data: gh = ?
G = 6.673×10−11Nm2 kg−2 h. =3600km =3.6×10 6m
Formula R = 6.4×10 6m
Gm1 m2 G = 6.673×10−11Nm2 kg−2
F= 2 m =?
d M== 6×10 24kg
As we know m1=m2 GM
2 Formula: gh = 2
Gmm Gm ( R+ h)
F= 2 = 2 −11 24
d d gh = 6 .673 × 10 ×6 .0 ×10
Putting the values and cross multiply ¿¿¿
14
2 4 . 002 ×10
0 .006673 × 1 =
m=
2 14
−11 10
6 . 673× 10
m =√ 100044977 .5 = 4.0 m s−2 which is required value of
m= 10,000kg. g at a height of 3600 km above the earth.

Q3: Data: Q6 Data

gh =?
g= ?
M== 6.42×10 23kg R+h =48700km =4.8×10 7m
R=3377km =3.377×10 6m G = 6.673×10−11Nm2 kg−2
G = 6.673×10−11Nm2 kg−2 M== 6×10 24kg
GM Formula:
Formula: g= 2 GM
R gh = 2
Putting values in formula. ( R+ h)
−11 24
6 .673 × 10
−11
×6 . 42× 10
23 6 .673 × 10 ×6 .0 ×10
g= gh = 7 2
¿¿¿ (4 .8700 ×10 )
g = 3.77 m s−2
14
4 . 002×10
gh = 15
2. 37169 ×10
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gh = 0.168 m s−2 the vaue of g due to v o=√ gR

earth at geo stationary satellite is ap- If g= gh and R≅ R+h
proximately 0.17 meter per square sec- Me
Now if gh = G 2
ond. ( R+ h)
====================== So equation becomes by putting values
Q 7 data: gh=¿ ¿4m s−2
R+h =10000km=1.0×10 7m
G=6.673×10−11
√
v o=
GM (R+h)
(R+ h)2

M=? Formula:
M=
g h (R+h)
2 √
v o= GM
R+ h

√
−11 24
G v o= 6 .673 ×10 ×6 . 0 ×10
6 3
4 ( 1 . 0 ×10 ¿¿¿ 7 )
2
6 . 4 ×10 + 850 ×10
M=
¿ √ 55 .2 ×10 v o 7430m s =
−1
6 .673 ×× 10−11
6

M= 5.99×10 24 kg
Q8 Data: Q10 Data:
g h = 42000km
H = ? gh =
4 = 4.2×10 7m
2
g gR G = 6.673×10−11
=
4 ( R+ h)2
M = 6.0×10 24 kg
Cancel ‘g’ on both sides R = 6.4×10 6 m
v 0= ?
2
1 R
=
4 ( R+ h)2
Formula: v o=√ gR
If g= gh
by cross multiply and taking
and R≅ R+hNow
underroot on both sides.
Me
R+h = √ 4 R 2 if gh = G 2 So equation becomes by
( R+ h)
R+h = 2R
h. = 2R-R
Shows that
putting values v o=
√ GM (R+h)
2
(R+ h)

h = R which shows that at the height

equal to the radius of the earth the value
√
v o= GM Putting the values
R+ h

√
−11 24
v o= 6 .673 ×10 ×6 . 0 ×10
of g becomes ¼ of the value of g at sea 6
6 . 4 ×10 + 42000 ×10
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level on earth.

√√
Q9 = Data : 4.002× 1014
v o=
Mass of earth =M= M= 6.0×10 24 kg 48.4 × 10
6

R= 6.4×10 6 m v o = 8.269 ×106

v o= ?
Formula
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v o= 2876 m s−1