Newton’s Law of Gravitation

Newton’s law of gravitation states that every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with
a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of
the distance between them. The direction of the force is along the line joining the particles.
Therefore from Newton’s law of gravitation

 1 2  ... (1)
2

where is called the gravitational constant,its value in SI unit system is 6.67 × 10–11 and  is the
unit vector along the line joining the two mass particles.
 
1   2 12  21 0
12 21

The gravitational force between two particles form an action reaction pair.

: A mass is split into two parts and ( – ), which are then separated by a certain
distance. What ratio
FG IJ maximizes the gravitational force between the parts?
H K
Solution: If ‘ ’ is the distance between and ( – ), the gravitational force will be
(M  m)m G
FG 2
 2  (Mm  m 2 )  ; for to be maximum,  0,
r r
LM (  2 OP
) 0 or –2 =0 
LM 0
OP
N 2
Q N 2
Q
1
or,  , the force will be maximum when two parts are equal.
2

: Two particles of equal mass are moving in a circle of radius ‘r’ under the action of
their mutual gravitational attraction. Find the speed of each particle.
Solution : The particles will always remain diametrically opposite ,so that the force on each particle
will be directed along the radius.
Considering the circular motion of one particle, we have,
2
.
  
( 2 )2 4

3: Three equal particles each of mass ‘ ’ are placed at the three corners of an equilateral
triangle of side ‘ ’, Find the force exerted by this system on another particle of mass
placed at (a) the mid-point of a side (b) at the centre of the triangle.
Solution : As gravitational force is a two body interaction, the principle of superposition is valid,
i.e., resultant force on the particle of mass at is
C
m

m m
A B
P (m)
   
  

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  
(a) As shown in the figure, when is at the mid-point of side AB , and will
be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. So they will cancel each-other.
So the point mass at will experience a force due to only,
2 2
4
  2
 2
 2 along
( ) ( sin 60 ) 3
(b) From symmetry, the net force on the particle at the centre of triangle = 0

: Find the gravitational force of attraction on the point mass ‘ ’ placed at by a thin
rod of mass and length as shown in figure.
d
L
m
O A B

Solution: First ,we need to find the force due to an element of length . The mass of the element is

FG IJ

H K .

So,the net gravitational force is

dL
GMm dx GMm  1 1  GMm
F
L 
d
x 2
    
L  d L  d  d(L  d)

Notice that when >> , we find  2 , the result for two point masses.

Gravitational Field
Gravitational field due to a mass is defined as the region of space in which it interacts with other
masses. In order to get the extent of interaction between two masses we defined another quantity
called gravitational field intensity. Gravitational field intensity due to a mass at a distance is
defined as the force acting on unit mass kept at a distance . The gravitational field intensity is a
vector quantity and its direction is the direction along which the unit mass has a tendency to move.
Calculation of gravitational field
(a) Gravitational field intensity due to a point mass
Consider a point mass at and let us calculate gravitational intensity at due to this point mass.
Suppose a test mass is placed at .
By Newton’s law of gravitation, force on test mass

 2 along

   ...(2)
2

(b) Gravitational field intensity due to a uniform circular ring at a point on its axis.
Figure shows a ring of mass and radius . Let is the point at a distance from the centre of the

ring. By symmetry the field must be towards the centre that is along .

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 Let us assume that a particle of mass on the ring say, at point . Now the distance is

2
 2 . Again the gravitational field at due to is along and its magnitude is

 2

2 2
 
 cos   2
cos 


Net gravitational field 

cos 
2 z
 2


 2 2 3/2 along ...(3)
(  )

Variation of gravitational field due to a ring as a function of its axis distance.

R/ 2 r

-R/ 2

IMPORTANT POINTS :

( ) If >> , 2
+ 2 _
~ 2
  3
 2 [where negative sign in because of attraction]

Thus, for a distant point, a ring behaves as a point mass placed at the center of the ring.

( ) If << , 2
 2 _
~ 2   3 i.e., E  r

(c) Gravitational field intensity due to a uniform disc at a point on its axis
Let the mass of disc be and its radius is and is the point on its axis where gravitational field is
to be calculated.
Let us draw a circle of radius and centred at . We draw another concentric circle of radius
+ . The part of disc enclosed between two circle can be treated as a uniform ring of radius . The
area of this ring is 2
2
Therefore mass of the ring  2
2  2
 

gravitational field at due to the ring is,

FG 2 IJ
H 2 K 
2GMr
R
x dx
R 2 0
 So,the gravitational field at P= dE  3
2 2 3/2
(  )
(r  x )
2 2 2

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 
2 LM 1 OP 
2 LM 1  1 OP
2
MN 2
 2 PQ 0
2
MN 2
 2 PQ
2
So,  2
(1  cos ) ...(4)

(d) Field due to uniform thin spherical shell

Case I
When point lies inside the spherical shell

G
E=  dE  r  dm 2 enclosed 0 ...(5)

Case II
When point lies outside the spherical shell

G GM
E=  dE  r  dm 2 enclosed 
r2
...(6)

E
2
GM/R

R r

 Gravitational field due to thin spherical shell is both discontinuous and non-differentiable function.
(e) Gravitational field due to a uniform solid sphere
Case I :
Field at an external point
Let the mass of sphere is and its radius is , we have to calculate the gravitational field at .

E= z z  2

 2 z  2 ...(7)

Thus, a uniform sphere may be treated as a single particle of equal mass placed at its centre for
calculating the gravitational field at an external point.
Case II :
Field at an internal point
Suppose the point is inside the solid sphere, in this case < the sphere may be divided into thin
spherical shells all centered at . Suppose the mass of such a shell is . Then

 2 along

So, E  2 z
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 where
z 
4
3
 3
4
3
 3
 3
3

P
O
  ...(8)
3 r

E
Therefore gravitational field due to a uniform sphere at an internal
2
GM/R
point is proportional to the distance of the point from the centre of
the sphere. At the centre = 0 the field is zero. At the surface of
R r
the sphere =  2 ...(9)

 Gravitational field due to solid sphere is continuous but it is not differentiable function.

: Two concentric shells of masses 1 and 2 are situated as shown in figure. Find the
force on a particle of mass when the particle is located at (a) = (b) = (c)
= . The distance is measured from the centre of the shell.
1

Solution : We know that the value of E at an external point due to spherical shell of mass is 2

while at an internal point is zero. So

(a) for = , the point is external for both the shell; so
(  2)
Gm[M1  M 2 ]
 1
2  FA  mE A 
a2
(b) For = , the point is external to the shell of mass 2
and internal to the shell of
mass 1 : so
GM 2 m
 2
2
  FB  mE B 
b2
(c) For = , the point is internal to both the shells, so
=0+0=0  = =0

Gravitational Potential :
At a point in a gravitational field, potential ( ) is defined as the work done by the external agent
against the gravitational field in bringing unit mass from infinity to that point.

Mathematically, 

 By the definition energy, = So,  =

Thus, gravitational potential at a point represents potential energy of a unit point mass at that point.

 by definition of work ,  z 
.

 But,




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  
LM  OP
  z 
.

So, V  
 F gravitational . dr

m
 
   E.dr MN 

PQ
=– or  ...(10)

So the potential can also be defined as a scalar function of position whose negative gradient i.e.,
space derivative gives field intensity.
 Negative of the slope of vs graph gives intensity.
Let and denotes the gravitational potential and gravitational field at point. Is it possible to have
(a) = 0, 0 (b)  0, =0 (c) = 0, =0 (d)  0, 0
Calculation of Gravitational potential :
(a) Gravitational potential at a point due to a point mass

We have, gravitational field due to a point mass

 2

[The negative sign in used as gravitational force is attractive]

 
z   when,  ,  0 ; so =0

  ...(11)

(b) Gravitational potential at a point due to a ring

Let be the mass and be the radius of a thin ring.
Considering a small element of the ring and treating it as a point mass, the potential at the point is
 
2 2
  2
 2

Hence, the total potential at the point is given by


z 2
 2

2
 2
...(12)
V
r

dV
At r  0,  0  gravitational field is zero at the centre. –GM/R

dr
(c) Gravitational potential at a point due to a spherical shell (hollow sphere)




Consider a spherical shell of mass and radius , is a point at a distance ‘r’ from the centre of
the shell.
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 Consider a ring at right angles to . Let  be the angular position of the ring.
The radius of the ring  sin ; The width of the ring  

The surface area of the ring  ( 2 sin  ).   2 2

sin  

2 sin 
The mass of the ring  ( 2  sin  )× 2

4 2

If ‘ ’ is the distance of the point from a point on the ring, then the potential at due to the ring.
sin 

2

From the ‘cosine-property’ of the triangle , 2

= 2
+ 2
–2 cos 
Differentiating,

2 2 sin  ; sin  

Substituting the value of sin  , we get

 × 
2 2

Case I :
When the point lies outside the shell.

z

 GM

2

2
[ ]  ; V [(r  R)  (r  R)]
 2Rr

 ...(13)

This is the potential at due to a point mass at .

For external point, a spherical shell behaves as a point mass supposed to be placed at its center.

Case II
When the point lies inside the spherical shell.
Rr
GM GM
V 
2Rr R  r
dx  
2Rr
( x ) RR  rr or  ...(14)

This expression is independent of . Thus, the potential at every point inside the spherical shell is of
constant magnitude and it is equal to the potential on the surface of the shell.
Thus, the gravitational field inside a spherical shell is zero everywhere.
Graphical representation of the variation of with in case of a hollow spherical shell as shown;

r=R
r
r<R r>R
–GM/R

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(d) Gravitational potential due to a homogeneous solid sphere
Case I :
When the point lies outside the sphere
Consider a homogeneous solid sphere of mass and radius ‘R’, is a point at a distance ‘ ’ from the
center of the sphere.
The solid sphere may be supposed to be made up of large number of thin concentric spherical shells.
Consider one such shell of mass  .

The potential at due to the shell  

So, the potential at due to the entire sphere.


   
 [   ] ...(15)

Hence for an external point a solid sphere behaves as if the whole of its mass is concentrated at the
centre.
Case II :
When the point lies inside the sphere
Let us consider a concentric spherical surface through the point . The potential at arises due to
the inner sphere and the outer thick spherical shell.
 = 1
+ 2
, where 1
= potential due to the inner sphere and 2
= potential due to the outer
thick shell.

4 3
The mass of the inner sphere   , where
3

3
  density of the sphere  
4 3 4 3

3

The potential at due to this sphere

LM 4  OP 3

1  N 3 Q   4  2 ...( )
3
To find 2
, consider a thin concentric shell of radius and thickness .
The volume of the shell  4  2

The mass of the shell  4  2

.
The potential at due to this shell

2 z
  4   4  
LM OP
MN 2 PQ
2
 4  
LM
MN 2
2

2

2
OP
PQ = 2  [ 2
 2
]

2
4  2 2
 1  2   2  [  ]
3


4  LM 2

3 2

3 2 OP 
LM
4  3 2

2 OP
3 MN 2 2 PQ 3 2 MN 2 PQ

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 
4
.
3 LM 3 2
 2 OP
3 4 3
MN 2 PQ
2 2
or,  3
[3  ] ...(16)
2

dV
at r  0, 0
dr
Hence gravitational field is zero at the centre of a solid sphere.
Gravitational Potential Energy
The change in potential energy of a system corresponding to a conservative force is defined as

U f  Ui = z z 
 
. =-W

The change in potential energy is equal to negative of work done

r1 dr
A B C
m1 m2 D E
r2

Let a particle of mass 1 be kept fixed at point and another particle of mass 2 is taken from a
point to . Initially, the distance between the particle is 1 & finally it becomes = 2. We have to
calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of the system of two particles.
Consider a small displacement when the distance between the particles changes from to + . In
the figure this corresponds to the second particle going from to .
Force acting on second particle is
 Gm1m 2   
F along   .  1 2
r2 2

 
z 1
2
2

z
1
2

 1 2 z2

1
2
 1 2
FG  1 IJ
H K
2

1
; ( 2 )  ( 1)  1 2
F 1  1I
GH1 2
JK ...( )

We choose the potential energy of the two particles system to be zero when the distance between
them is infinity. This means ()  0
Now in equation ( )
Take 1
= and 2 

FG 1  1 IJ 
( )  ( )  1 2
H K  ( ) 1 2
...(17)
Hence when two masses 1
and 2
separated by a distance r their gravitational potential energy is
 1 2
( ) W1

Let a body of mass is taken through a gravitational W2

field via path , Let 1, 2 & 3 are work done
in path , & respectively. Then 1 : 2: 3 = ? W3

: Three particles each of mass are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of
side . Calculate
(a) the potential energy of the system,
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 (b) work done on the system if the side of the triangle is changed from to 2 .

3 2
3
Solution : (a)  

2 2 2
3 3 3
(b)  ;   Work done     
2 2

Variation in Acceleration Due to Gravity on Earth :

(a) With altitude

At the surface of the earth,  2

For a height above the surfce of the earth, ' 

(  )2
2
' 1
  '
(  ) 2
FG 1  IJ 2
or, FG 1  IJ 2

H K H K
So, with increase in height g’ decreases. If << .

'
LM1  OP 2

LM1  2 OP or,, '
LM1  2 OP
N Q N Q N Q
(b) With depth

At the surface of the earth,  2

for a point at a depth below the surface,

' FG  IJ
' 3
[  ] ;  
H K
'
LM1  OP ...(19)
N Q
So with increase in depth below the surface of the earth,g’ decreasing and at the center of the earth it
becomes zero.
It should be noted that value of g’ decreases if we move above the surface or below the surface of the
earth.
(c) Due to rotation of earth

The earth is rotating about its axis from west to east. So, the earth is
2 
a non-inertial frame of reference. Everybody on its surface

experiences a centrifugal force  2 cos  . Where  is latitude
of the place. The net force on a particle on the surface of the earth

 2 2
 2
4 2
cos2   2( )(  2 cos )[cos(180  )]  ' ...(20)
Therefore,
() g’ is maximum (= ) ,when cos   min  0,   90 , at the pole
( ) g’ is minimum (   2 ) ,when cos   maximum = 1,   0 , at the equator..
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 : Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of Mars if its diameter is
6760 km and mass one tenth that of the earth. The diameter of earth is 12742 km and
acceleration due to gravity on the earth is 9.8 m/s2

F I F I  L 1 O L 12742O
2 2
Solution : We know that  2   GH JK GH JK MN 10 PQ MN 6760 PQ
or,  0. 35  = 0.35 × = 9.8 × 0.35 = 3.48 m/s2

: Compute the mass and density of the moon if acceleration due to gravity on its surface
is 1.62 m/s2 and its radius is 1.74 × 106 m ( = 6.67 × 10–11 MKS units)

Solution : We know that  2

2
1. 62×(1. 74×106 )2
   or, = 7.35 × 1022 kg
6. 67×1011

M gR 2 3g
  
V G 4 R 3 4GR
3
3  1.62
 11
 3.3  10 3 Kg / m 3
4  3.14  6.67 10 1.74 10 6

Q.1 A large spherical planet of radius R, made of a material of density d, has a spherical cavity of radius
R/2, with center of cavity a distance R/2 from the centre of the planet. Find the gravitational force on
a small mass ‘m’ at the center of the cavity.
(A) 2RGmd/3 (B) RGmd/3 (C) 2RGmd (D) 4RGmd/3

Q.2 At what altitude will the acceleration due to gravity be 25% of that at the earth’s surface (given
radius of earth is R)?
(A) R/4 (B) R (C) 3R/8 (D) R/2

Q.3 At what distance from the centre of the moon is the point at which the strength of the resultant earth's
and moon's gravitational field is equal to zero. The earth's mass is 81 times that of moon and the
distance between centres of these planets is 60R where R is the radius of the earth ?
(A) 6 R (B) 4 R (C) 3 R (D) 5 R

Q.4 Two masses m1 & m2 are initially at rest and are separated by a very large distance. If the masses
approach each other subsequently, due to gravitational attraction between them, their relative velocity
of approach at a separation distance of d is :

(A)
2 Gd
(B)
 m1  m2  G 
(C)  m1  m2 
2G
1/ 2

(D) (m1 + m2)1/2 2 Gd

 m1  m2  2d  d 

Q.5 An infinite number of masses, each of one kg are placed on the +ve X axis at 1m, 2m, 4m, ______ from
the origin. The magnitude of the gravitational field at origin due to this distribution of masses is:
4G 3G
(A) 2G (B) (C) (D) 
3 4

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Q.6 Two concentric shells of uniform density of mass M1 and M2 are situated
as shown in the figure. The forces experienced by a particle of mass m
when placed at positions A, B and C respectively are
(given OA = p, OB = q and OC = r)

M1m (M1 + M2 )m (M1 + M2 )m Mm

(A) zero, G and G (B) G , G ( M1 + M2 )m and G 1
q 2 p2 p 2
q2 r2

M1m (M1 + M 2 )m (M1 + M 2 )m Mm

(C) G 2
, G and zero (D) G 2
, G 12 and zero
q p2 p q

ANSWERS KEY

1. (A) 2. (B) 3. (A) 4. (C) 5. (B) 6. (D)

Escape Speed :
It is the minimum speed with which a body must be projected from the surface of a planet (usually the
earth) so that it permanently overcomes and escapes from the gravitational field of the planet (the
earth). We can also say that a body projected with escape speed will be able to go to a point which is
at infinite distance from the earth.
If a body of mass is projected with speed from the surface of a planet of mass and radius ,
then
1 2
. . ; . . . 
2

1 2
Total mechanical energy (T.M.E.) of the body  
2

1 1
If the ´ is the speed of the body at infinity, then T.M.E. at infinity = 0  '2  '2
2 2

Applying the principle of conservation of mechanical energy, we have

1 1 2GM
2
  '2 or, v 2  v'2
2 2 R
will be minimum when '  , . .,
2
 min   2 ...(21)
LM 
OP
N 2
Q
Important points :
() Escape speed is independent of the mass and direction of projection of the body.
( ) For earth as = 9.8 m/s2 and = 6400

 2×9. 8×6. 4×106  11. 2 /

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 A particle is projected with velocity of 12 km/s in horizontal direction will it capable to escape out
from the surface of earth ?

: The masses and radii of the earth and the moon are 1, 1 and 2, 2 respectively.
Their centers are at a distance apart. What is the minimum speed with which a
particle of mass should be projected from a point midway between the two centers
so as to escape to infinity ?
Solution : Potential energy of which is midway between 1 and 2 is

 (  2) 
FG  1

 IJ
2 2
1
H /2 /2 K
 ( 1  2)

2 1 2
Let be the required speed, then (T.M.E.)initial =  ( 1  2) 
2

As the particle reaches infinity,(T.M.E.)final = 0

From the conservation of mechanical energy, we have

2 1 2 ( 1  2)
 ( 1  2)  0 ; 2
2

: What will be the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon if its radius
1 FG 1 IJ
were the radius of the earth and its mass 80
4
the mass of the earth. What will H K
be the escape speed on the surface of the moon if it is 11.2 km/s on the surface of the
earth, Given = 9.8 m/s2

Solution : As on the surface of planet,  2 , we have

F I 2
1 1 9. 8
 × GH JK 
80
×( 4 )2 
5
 
5

5
 1. 96 / 2

2 1 1
Further, as escape speed  , so ;  ×  ×4 
80 20

11. 2
    2. 5 /
20 4. 47
Motion of a Satellite :
Consider a satellite of mass revolving in a circle around the earth. If the satellite is at a height
above the earth’s surface, the radius of its orbit is = + , where is the radius of the earth. The
gravitational force between and provides the necessary centripetal force for circular motion.
(a) Orbital Velocity (V0)
The velocity of a satellite in its orbit is called orbital velocity. Let 0
be the orbital velocity of the
satellite, then
2
0
2
  0  ...(22)

or,  (   )


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 Important points :
 Orbital velocity is independent of the mass of the orbiting body and is always along the
tangent to the orbital.
 Close to the surface of the earth, = as = 0.

 0    10× 6. 4 ×108  8 /

(b) Time Period of a Satellite

The time taken by a satellite to complete one revolution is called the time period ( ) of the satellite.

2 2
It is given by   2 or, 

F 4 I
2
or,
2
 GH JK 3
...(23)

(c) Angular Momentum of a Satellite ( )

In case of satellite motion, angular momentum will be given by

 

( 2
)1/ 2 ...(24)
 In case of satellite motion, the net force on the satellite is always towards the center of
the circular orbit. The torque of this force about the center of the orbit is zero. Hence,
angular momentum of the satellite is conserved, i.e.,
= constant.
(d) Energy of a Satellite
The P.E. of a satellite is

 
LM 
OP
N Q
The kinetic energy of the satellite is


1 2

LM 
OP
2
0
2 MN 0
PQ
Total mechanical energy of the satellite     ...(25)
2 2

Important points :
 We have,

 1 . .,  Also, 2  =2

 Total energy of a satellite in its orbit is negative. Negative energy means that the satellite is bound to
the central body by an attractive force and energy must be supplied to remove it from the orbit to
infinity.

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Binding energy of the satellite :
The energy required to remove the satellite from its orbit to infinity is called binding energy of the
satellite, i.e.,

Binding energy   
2

Geo-Stationary Satellite
If there is a satellite rotating in the direction of earth’s rotation, from west to east, then for an
observer on the earth the angular velocity of the satellite will be (   ).
However, if     0 , satellite will appear stationary relative to the earth. Such a satellite is called
‘Geo-stationary satellite’ and is used for communication purposes.

2 42 3
We know that, 

...(26)
For geostationary satellite, = 24 hours.
Putting this value of in the above equation, we get
 42000 or,  36000 .
where is the height of the satellite from the surface of the earth.
Weightlessness in a Satellite :
The radial acceleration of the satellite is given by

  2
 2
×
For an astronaut inside the satellite, we have

2
  0

where is mass of astronaut is radial acceleration of satellite and is normal reaction on the
astronaut

or, 2
  2
0  =0

Hence, the astronaut feels weightlessness

KEPLER’S LAWS :
Kepler discovered three empirical laws that accurately described the motion of the planets. The
three laws may be stated as,
(i) Each planet moves in an elliptical orbit, with the sun at one focus of the
ellipse. This law is also known as the law of elliptical orbits and obviously gives the
shape of the orbits of the planets around the sun.
y

(ii) The radius vector, drawn from the sun to a planet, Perihelion P
Aphelion
sweeps out equal areas in equal time, i.e., its areal Sun

velocity (or the area swept out by it per unit time) is S` S

constant. This is referred to as the law of areas and ea ea

gives the relationship between the orbital speed of the a a

planet and its distance from the sun.
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 (iii) The square of the planet’s time period is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its
orbit. This is known as the harmonic law and gives the relationship between the size of the orbit of
a planet and its time of revolution.
dA L
 1. The areal velocity of a planet is constant (Kepler’s second law) and is given by 
dt 2m
Here, L is the angular momentum of the planet about sun.

2. Most of the problems of gravitation are solved by two conservation laws:

M P 2 1 900
900
S S

(i) conservation of angular momentum about sun and

(ii) conservation of mechanical (potential + kinetic) energy
Hence, the following two equations are
used in most of the cases,
mvr sin  = constant .... (i)
1 2 GM
 = constant .... (ii)
2 r

At aphelion and perihelion position  =900

Hence, Eq. (i) can be written as, sin 900 = constant
or = constant .... (iii)
Further, since mass of the planet (m) also remains constant, Eq. (i) can also be
written as
sin  = constant .... (iv)
or 1 1
= 2 2
(  =900)

3. Applying the above mentioned conservation laws at aphelion and perihelion positions; 1
=
(1+ ) and 2
= (1– )

Gm  1  e  Gm  1  e 
So, = =   ; = =  
min 1 a 1 e  max 2 a 1 e 

GMm
and total energy of the planet E=-
2a
: A planet of mass m moves along an ellipse around the sun so that its maximum and
minimum distances from the sun are equal to r1 and r2 respectively. Find the angular
momentum of this planet relative to the centre of the sun.
Solution: As the angular momentum of the planet is constant, we have
mv1r1  mv 2 r2 or v1r1  v 2 r2
Further, the total energy of the planet is also constant, hence
v1
GM m 1 GM m 1 r1 r2
  mv12    mv 22 S
r1 2 r2 2
where M is the mass of the sun.
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  1 1  v2 v2  r  r  v 2 r 2 v2
 GM     2  1 or GM  1 2   1 21  1
 r2 r1  2 2  r1r2  2r2 2

 r  r  v2  r 2  v2  r 2  r 2 
or GM  1 2   1  12  1   1  1 2 2 
 r1r2  2  r2  2  r2 

2GM(r1  r2 )r22 2GMr2  2GMr2 

 v12   v1   
r1r2 (r1  r2 )
2 2
r1 (r1  r2 )  r1 (r1  r2 ) 
 2GMr1r2 
Now the angular momentum  mv1r1  m  .
 (r1  r2 ) 

ONLY ONE OPTION IS CORRECT :

Q.1 The escape velocity on the surface of the earth is V0. If M and R are the mass and the radius of the
earth respectively, then the escape velocity on another planet of mass 2M and radius R/2 will be :
(A) 4 V0 (B) 2 V0 (C) V0 (D) V0 /2

Q.2 A ball 'A' of mass m falls to the surface of the earth from infinity. Another ball 'B' of mass 2m falls to
the earth from the height equal to six times radius of the earth then ratio of velocities of 'A' and 'B' on
reaching the earth is
(A) (6/5) (B) (5/6) (C) 1 (D) (7/6)

Q.3 If an artificial satellite revolves in circular orbit around the earth with a speed equal to half its escape
velocity from the earth. Then its height above the surface of earth will be: [Radius of earth=6400 km]
(A) 3200 km (B) 6400 km (C) 12800 km (D) 24000 km

Q.4 The ratio of gravitational acceleration at height 3R to that at height 4R from the surface of the earth
is : (where R is the radius of the earth)
(A) 9/16 (B) 25/16 (C) 16/25 (D) 16/9

Q.5 A small body of superdense material, whose mass is twice the mass of the earth but whose size is very
small compared to the size of the earth, starts from rest at a height H<< R above the earth’s surface,
and reaches the earth’s surface in time t. Then t is equal to
(A) 2H / g (B) H/g (C) 2 H / 3g (D) 4 H / 3g .

4gR
Q.6 A particle is projected with a velocity vertically upward from the surface of the earth, R being
3
the radius of the earth & g being the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth. The
velocity of the particle when it is at half the maximum height reached by it is

gR gR 2gR
(A) (B) (C) gR (D)
2 3 3

Q.7 A satellite is in a circular orbit very close to the surface of a planet. At some point it is given an impulse
along its direction of motion, causing its velocity to increase  times.
It now goes into an elliptical orbit. The maximum possible value of  for this to occur is
1
(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) 2 +1 (D)
2 1

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Q.8 A satellite of mass m, initially at rest on the earth, is launched into a circular orbit at a height equal to
the radius of the earth. The minimum energy required is

3 1 1 3
(A) mgR (B) mgR (C) mgR (D) mgR
4 2 4 4
Q.9 The ratio of the radius of the earth to that of the moon is 10. The ratio of the acceleration due to
gravity on the earth to that on the moon is 6. The ratio of the escape velocity from the earth’s surface
to that from the moon is
(A) 6 (B) 1.5 (C) 12 (D) 60

ANSWERS KEY

1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (B) 4. (B) 5. (C) 6. (B)

7. (B) 8. (D) 9. (D)

SOLVED EXAMPLE

1. Find the potential energy of gravitational interaction of a point mass m and a thin uniform rod of mass
M and length , if they are located along a straight line at a distance a from each other.
Solution :
M  m

a
dx
x

a 
 U   du  
GmM dx GmM a
 
a
x
U

log e  
 a 
2. Two equal masses of 6.40 kg are separated by a distance of 0.16m. A small body is
released from a point P equidistant from the two masses and at a distance 0.06 m from the line joining
them as shown in figure. (a) Calculate the velocity of this body when it passes through Q. (b) Com-
pute the acceleration of this body at P and Q if its mass is 0.1 kg.
Solution: The total energy of the mass at P is equal to its potential energy. Thus, we have
mm mm mm
E  G G  2G
r r r
where r is the distance of point P from either mass
m P

. r = 0.1 m
0.06m
The potential energy of mass m at Q is given by
m m
mm mm mm A B
G G  2G 0.08m Q 0.08m
0.08 0.08 0.08 0.16m

1
Let v be the velocity of mass m at Q. Then its kinetic energy  mv
2

2
(a) Applying the law of conservation of energy, we get
mm mm 1 mm mm 1
2G  2G  mv 2 ; 2G  2G  mv 2
r 0.08 2 0.1 0.08 2
Substituting, G  6.67  1011 inMKS unit and m = 6.4 kg, we get v  6.53  105 m/sec.

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 (b) At point Q, there is no acceleration of the body because the net gravitational force
due to two masses is zero. When the body is at P, then there are two forces of
equal magnitude along PA and PB. The magnitude of either force is
mm
G  f (say).
r2
The resultant force F acting on m along PQ is given by

F  (f 2 f 2 2f 2 cos 2 ) = (2f 2 (1  cos 2 )

where   APQ
0.08
From figure, tan    1.333 or   53.13º
0.06

1.2  6.67  1011  0.1  6.4

  5.12  109 N
0.01
8
Acceleration  5.12  109 / 0.1  5.12  10 m / sec .
2

3. Two small dense stars rotate about their common centre of mass, as a binary system with the period
of 1 year for each. One star is of double the mass of the other and the mass of the lighter one is of
1/3 the mass of the sun, given the distance between the earth and the sun is R. If the distance
between two starts is r, then obtain the relation between r and R.
Solution: The situation is shown in figure. Let M be the mass of sun and r be the distance between the
two stars. Now
2r r
m2 2 3 3
r1  r.  r
m1  m 2 3 M 2M
m1  m2 
m1 r 3 3
and r2  r.  r
m1  m 2 3
2
G m1m 2 G(2 / 9)M
The centripetal force on m 2 is given by 
r2 r2
2 GM 2  2  r 
Further 2
 m 2 r2 2   M   2
9 r  3  3 
where  is the angular speed of the either star..
GM
  2
r3
2
 2  GM 4 2 r 3
If T be the time period of revolution, then    3 or T2 
 T  r GM

42 R 3
Also if the time period of the earth about sun with separation R is T then T 
2

GM
Hence r = R. A r B
4. Two balls of mass m each are hung side by side by two long
threads of equal length . If the distance between upper ends  
l T T l
is r, show that the distance r  between the centres of the ball
is given by gr2 (r  r )  2l Gm C
P F F Q
D
r  r r  r
2 mg mg 2

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Solution: The situation is shown in figure.
Following forces act on each ball
(i) Weight of the ball m g
(ii) Tension in thread T

(iii) Force of Gravitational attraction F  G mm

r 2
These three forces can be represented by the side of a triangle say ACP in which AC
represents the weight mg, CP represents the force F and PA represents the tension T.
Hence

r  r
F
tan   2  …(i)
l mg

F Gm 2 / r 2
But  …(ii)
mg mg
From equs. (i) and (ii)

(r  r ) / 2 Gm 2 / r 2 (r  r )mg lGm 2
 or  ; gr2 (r  r )  2l Gm
l mg 2 r 2

5. A satellite revolves around a planet in an elliptical orbit. Its maximum and minimum
distances from the planet are 1.5  107 m and 0.5  107 m respectively. If the speed of the satellite at the
farthest point be 5  103 m/s, calculate the speed at the nearest point.
Solution: According to the law of conservation of angular momentum, the satellite must move faster
at a point of closest approach (Perigee) than at a farthest point (Apogee).
Hence, at the two points.
L  mv1r1  mv 2 r2 v1
r2 r1
v1 r2 PERIGEE APOGEE
or  m
v 2 r1
v2
5  103 0.5  107
Substituting the given values, we get 
v2 1.5  107

v 2  1.5  104 m/sec.

6. A space-ship is launched into a circular orbit close to the earth’s surface. What additional velocity
has now to be imparted to the space-ship in the orbit to overcome the gravitational
pull. (Radius of the earth = 6400 km and g = 9.8m / s 2 ).
Solution: The centripetal force required to move the spaceship in circular orbit is given by
mv 2
, where R = radius of the earth.
Rh
mv 2 mv 2
Here,  mg or  mg ( R  h )
Rh R

 v 2  gR or v  (g R) . We know that vescape  (2gR) .

Hence, additional velocity imparted to space-ship,  v escape  v  (2gR)  (g R)

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  (g R)[ (2)  1]  (9.8  6400  103 )[ (2)  1]  3.28  103 m/sec.

7. A double star is a system of two stars moving around the centre of inertia of the system due to
gravitation. Find the distance between the components of the double star, if its total mass equals M
and period of revolution T.
Solution: The situation is shown in figure. Centre of
Here m1r  m 2 (d  r)  m 2 d  m 2 r Inertia
O
 (m1  m 2 )r  m 2 d m1 m2
r (d–r)
m2d
r Also M  (m1  m 2 ) d
(m1  m 2 )
From gravitational force, we have
1/ 2 1/ 2
mm m v 2 m v 2 (m  m 2 )  Gm 22   G 
G 12 2  1 1  1 1 1  v1     m2  
d r m2d  (m1  m 2 )d   Md 

2 2r 2r 2d 3/ 2

Now T   
 v1 m 2 (G / M d) GM

T d 3/ 2  T 
2

  or d    GM .
3
2 GM  2 

8. In a double star, two stars (one of mass m and the other of 2m) distance d apart rotate about their
common centre of mass. Deduce an expression for the period of revolution. Show that the ratio of their
angular momenta about the centre of mass is the same as the ratio of their kinetic energies.
d 2d
Solution: The centre of mass C will be at a distance and from the masses 2m and m respectively
3 3
as shown in figure. Both the stars rotate with same angular velocity  around C in their
respective orbits. Here the gravitational force acting on each star due to other supplies the
necessary centripetal force.
Gravitational force on each star  G(2m) m / d 2 .

Centripetal force of star (mass m) d 2d
2m 3 3 m
 2d  C
 mr2  m   2
 3  
G(2m)m  2d 
 2
 m   2
d  3 

3Gm 2 d3
 T   2
d3  3Gm
2
d
2m   
(I) big 3  1
Ratio of angular momentum  
(I)small  2d 
2
2
m  
 3 

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 2
1 2 d
 I  (I)
2m  
2  big big 3  1
  
Ratio of kinetic energies  1 2  (I)small  2d 
2
2
 I  m 
 2 small  3 
This is same as the ratio of their angular momenta.

9. A particle is fired vertically upward with a speed of 9.8 km/s. Find the maximum height attained by the
particle. Radius of earth = 6400 km and g at the surface = 9.8 m/s2. Consider only earth’s gravitation.
GMm
Solution At the surface of the earth, the potential energy of the earth-particle system is  with
R
1
usual symbols. The kinetic energy is m 02 where 0  9.8 km/s. At the maximum height the
2
kinetic energy is zero. If the maximum height reached is H, the potential energy of the
GMm
earth-particle system at this instant is  . Using conservation of energy,,
RH
GMm 1 GMm
  m 20   .
R 2 RH

Writing GM = gR2 and dividing by m,

02  gR 2 R2 02
 gR   or  R 
2 RH RH 2g
Putting the values of R, 0 and g
(6400km) 2
or RH  (6400km) 2
(9.8km / s) 2   27300km
6400km  1500 km
2  9 .8 m / s 2

or, H  (27300  6400)km  20900km.

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 Gravitation Phy. XII

JEE Main Exercise

MCQs with One Correct Answer

1. A, B, C and D are four masses each of mass M lying on the vertices of a square of side a. They always
move along a common circle with velocity v. Find v so that they always remain on the vertices of the
square
GM (2 2  1) GM ( 2  1) GM 2(2  1)
(A) (B) (C) (D) None of these
2 2a 2a a

2. Find the force of attraction on a particle of mass m placed at the centre of a

quarter ring of mass m and radius R as shown in figure.
2Gm2 2 2Gm2
(A) (B)
R2 R2
2Gm2 2 2Gm2
(C) (D)
R 2 R 2

3. A solid sphere of uniform density and radius R applies a gravitational force

of attraction equal to F1 on a particle placed at A at a distance 2R from the
centre of the sphere. A spherical cavity of radius R/2 is now made in the
body. The new mass now applies a gravitational force F2 on the same
F
particle placed at A. The ratio 2 will be
F1
(A) 1/2 (B) 3 (C) 7 (D) 7/9

4. Two uniform solid spheres of equal radii R, but mass M and 4M have a center to center separation 6R as
shown. The two spheres are held fixed. The position of neutral point(s) with respect to smaller mass is

(A) 2R, – 6R (B) 2R, 6R (C) 2R (D) 6R

5. Two lead spheres each of mass M are suspended by two long strings each of length L The distance
between the upper ends of the strings is also L. The angle which the strings make with the vertical due
to mutual attraction of the spheres is
 GM  1  GM  1  GM  1  GM 
(A) tan 1   (B) tan  
 gL2  (C) tan  
 2 gL2  (D) tan  3

 gL       2 gL 

6. Weight of a body of mass m decreases by 1% when it is raised to height h above the Earth’s surface.
If the body is taken to a depth h in a mine, then its weight will
(A) decrease by 0.5% (B) decrease by 2%
(C) increase by 0.5% (D) increase by 1%
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 Gravitation Phy. XII
7. The mass and diameter of a planet are twice those of earth. What will be the period of oscillation of a
pendulum on this planet if it is a seconds pendulum on earth?
1 1
(A) 2 s (B) 2 2 s (C) s (D) s
2 2 2

8. The rotation of the earth having radius R about its axis speeds upto a value such that a man at latitude
angle 60o feels weightless. The duration of the day in such case will be
R g R g
(A) 8 (B) 8 (C)  (D) 4
g R g R

9. A very large number of particles of same mass m are kept at horizontal distances of 1m, 2m, 4m, 8m
and so on from (0,0) point. The total gravitational potential at this point (0, 0) is
(A) –8Gm (B) –3Gm (C) –4Gm (D) –2Gm

10. Let gravitation field in a space be given as E = –k/r. If the reference point is at distance di where
potential is Vi , then relation for potential is
r r r r V
(A) V  k ln  0 (B) V  k ln  Vi (C) V  ln  KVi (D) V  ln  i
Vi di di di K

11. The gravitational potential of two homogeneous spherical shells A and B (separated by large distance)
of same surface mass density at their respective centres are in the ratio 3:4. If the two shells coalesce
into single one such that surface mass density remains same, then the ratio of potential at an internal
point of the new shell to shell A is equal to
(A) 3 : 2 (B) 4 : 3 (C) 5 : 3 (D) 3 : 5

12. Three particles of mass m each are placed at three corners of an equilateral triangle of side a. The work
which should be done on this system to increase the side of the triangle to 2a is
3GM 2 3Gm 2 Gm 2 3Gm 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
a 2a 2a 4a 2

13. A body starts from rest at a point, distance R0 from the centre of the earth of mass M, radius R. The
velocity acquired by the body when it reaches the surface of the earth will be
1 1  1 1  1 1  1 1 
(A) GM    (B) 2GM    (C) 2GM    (D) 2GM   
 R R0   R R0   R R0   R R0 

14. Suppose, if a tunnel is dug along the diameter of the earth and a body of mass m is
released from a point A at a distance 2R above earth along the line of tunnel. If M is
the mass of the earth and R is the radius of the earth. The velocity of the body during
its fall when it crosses the point B at a distance R/2 below the earth centre as shown.
5 GM GM
(A) (B)
2 3R 3R
GM 3 GM
(C) 2 (D)
3R 2 3R
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 Gravitation Phy. XII
15. A projectile is fired from the surface of earth of radius R with a speed kve in radially outward direction
(where, ve is the escape velocity and k < 1). Neglecting air resistance, the maximum height from centre
of earth is
R R
(A) 2 (B) k 2 R (C) (D) kR
k 1 1 k 2

16. The escape speed for a projectile in the case of earth is 11.2 km/sec. A body is projected from the
surface of the earth with a velocity which is equal to twice the escape speed. The velocity of the body
when at infinite distance from the centre of the earth is
(A) 11.2 km/s (B) 22.4 km/s (C) 11.2 3 km/s (D) 11.22 2 km/s

17. A spherical uniform planet is rotating about its axis. The velocity of a point on its equator is v. Due to
the rotation of planet about its axis the acceleration due to gravity g at equator is 1/2 of g at poles. The
escape velocity of a particle on the pole of planet in terms of v.
v
(A) ve  2v (B) ve  v (C) ve  (D) ve  3v
2

18. If the gravitational force were to vary inversely as mth power of the distance, then the time period of
a planet in circular orbit of radius r around the sun will be proportional to
m 1
(A) r 3m/2 (B) r 3m/2 (C) r (m1)/2 (D) r 2

19. Two planets A and B have radius in the ratio 1:6. A satellite revolving near the surface of planets have
same time period of revolution. The ratio of density of planets A and B is
(A) 1 : 6 (B) 6 : 1 (C) 1 : 1 (D) 36 : 1

20. A satellite can be in a geostationary orbit around earth at a distance r from the centre. If the angular
velocity of earth about its axis doubles, a satellite can now be in a geostationary orbit around earth if
its distance from the centre is
r r r r
(A) (B) (C) 1/3
(D)
2 2 2 (4) (2)1/3

21. The figure shows the motion of a planet around the sun in an elliptical orbit
with sun at the focus. The shaded areas can be assumed to be equal. If t 1 and
t 2 represent the time taken for the planet to move from A to B and C to D
respectively, then
(A) t 1  t 2 (B) t 1  t 2 (D) t 1  t 2 (D) None of these

22. A small satellite is in elliptical orbit around earth as shown. If L denotes the
magnitude of its angular momentum and K denotes kinetic energy
(A) L 2  L1 and K 2  K 1 (B) L 2  L1 and K2  K1
(C) L 2  L1 and K2  K1 (D) L 2  L1 and K2  K1

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
23. A planet of mass m is in an elliptical orbit about the sun (m  M sun ) with an orbital period T. If A be
the area of orbit, then its angular momentum would be
2mA mA
(A) (B) mAT (C) (D) 2mAT
T 2T

24. A planet moves around Sun in an elliptical orbit of eccentricity e. The

ratio of the velocity at perigee vP and at apogee va is given by
vp 1 e vp 1 e
(A)  (B) 
va 1  e va 1  e
vp 1 e vp 1 e
(C)  (D) 
va 1 e va 1 e

25. If a satellite is revolving around a planet of mass M in an elliptic orbit of semi major axis a, then the
orbital speed of the satellite when it is at a distance r from the focus will be given by
1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2
(A) GM    (B) 2GM    (C) GM    (D) GM   
r a r a r a r a

Numerical Value Answer

26. A satellite is launched in the equatorial plane in such a way that it can transmit signals upto 60° latitude
GM
on the earth. The orbital velocity of the satellite is found to be . Find the value of  .
R

27. A planet revolves about the sun in elliptical orbit of semi-major axis 2 1012 m . The areal velocity of
the planet when it is nearest to the sun is 4.4 1016 m s . The least distance between planet and the sun
is 1.8 1012 m . Find the minimum speed of the planet in km/s.

28. The difference between the time periods (in s) of a seconds pendulum at a depth of 64 km from Earth's
surface and on earth surface is T ? Find the value of 100T .

29. If the areal velocity of one planet is 2 times the areal velocity of other planet, then find the ratio of
their radii of circular motion around the sun.

5GM e
30. A particle of mass m0 is projected vertically upward from surface of earth with a speed of .
4R
The maximum height of the particle from the earth surface is kR/3. [Mass of the earth M e and R is
radius of earth]. What is the value of k?

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
31. A particle of mass m is moving in circular motion of radius r with constant speed v under the influence
of two fixed particles of mass M. Plane of circular motion is perpendicular to line joining fixed
GM
particles as shown. Speed of particle is given as v  , find value of n ( a  r 3 )
nr

32. Two large spherical object of mass M each (uniformly distributed) are fixed as shown in figure. A
small point mass m is projected from point A heading towards center C2 of second sphere. The
n GM
minimum velocity of point mass so that it can reach upto second object at point B is , then
3 5R
calculate n. [Neglect other gravitational forces]

33. A smooth tunnel is dug along the radius of the earth that ends at the centre. A ball is released from the
surface of earth along the tunnel. The coefficient of restitution between the surface and ball is 0.2. If
the total distance travelled by the ball before second collision at the centre is nR/5 where R is the radius
of the earth, then find n.

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 Gravitation Phy. XII

MCQs with One Correct Answer

1. A binary star system consists of two stars A and B which have time period TA and TB , radius R A
and R B and mass M A and MB . Then [2006]
(A) if TA  TB then R A  R B (B) if TA  TB then M A  M B
2 3
T  R 
(C)  A    A  (D) TA  TB
 TB   R B 

2. What is the minimum energy required to launch a satellite of mass m from the surface of a planet of
mass M and radius R in a circular orbit at an altitude of 2R? [2013]
5GmM 2GmM GmM GmM
(A) (B) (C) (D)
6R 3R 2R 2R

3. The gravitational field, due to the ‘left over part’ of a uniform sphere (from which a part as shown,
has been ‘removed out’), at a very far off point, P, located as shown, would be (nearly):
[Main Online April 9, 2013]

5 GM 8 GM 7 GM 6 GM
(A) (B) (C) (D)
6 x2 9 x2 8 x2 7 x2

R
4. From a sphere of mass M and radius R, a smaller sphere of radius is carved out such that the cavity
2
made in the original sphere is between its centre and the periphery (see figure). For the configuration
in the figure where the distance between the centre of the original sphere and the removed sphere is
3R, the gravitational force between the two sphere is:
[Main Online April 15, 2014]

41GM 2 41GM 2 59 GM 2 GM 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3600 R 2 450 R 2 450 R 2 225 R 2

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
5. The gravitational field in a region is given by g  5 N kg ˆi  12 N kg ˆj . The change in the
gravitational potential energy of a particle of mass 1 kg when it is taken from the origin to a point (7m,
–3 m) is : [Main Online April 19, 2014]
(A) 71 J (B) 13 58 J (C) –71 J (D) 1 J

6. From a solid sphere of mass M and radius R, a spherical portion of radius R/2 is removed, as shown
in the figure. Taking gravitational potential V = 0 at r   , the potential at the centre of the cavity
thus formed is : [2015]

2GM 2GM GM GM

(A) (B) (C) (D)
3R R 2R R

7. Which of the following most closely depicts the correct variation of the gravitational potential V(r)
due to a large planet of radius R and uniform mass density?
(figures are not drawn to scale) [Main Online April 11, 2015]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

8. A very long (length L) cylindrical galaxy is made of uniformly distributed mass and has radius R (R
<< L). A star outside the galaxy is orbiting the galaxy in a plane perpendicular to the galaxy and
passing through its centre. If the time period of stat is T and its distance from the galaxy’s axis is r,
then : [Main Online April 10, 2015]
(A) T  r (B) T  r (C) T  r 2 (D) T2  r3

9. Take the mean distance of the moon and the sun from the earth to be 0.4  106 kg and 150  106 km
respectively. Their masses are 8  1022 kg and 2  1030 kg respectively. The radius of the earth is 6400
km. Let F1 be the difference in the forces exerted by the moon at the nearest and farthest points on
the earth and F2 be the difference in the force exerted by the sun at the nearest and farthest points on
F1
the earth. Then, the number closest to is: [Main Online April 15, 2018]
F2
(A) 2 (B) 6 (C) 102 (D) 0.6

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 Gravitation Phy. XII

10. Suppose that the angular velocity of rotation of earth is increased. Then, as a consequence.
[Main Online April 16, 2018]
(A) There will be change in weight anywhere on the earth
(B) Weight of the object, everywhere on the earth, will decreases
(C) Weight of the object, everywhere on the earth, will increases
(D) Except at poles, weight of the object on the earth will decreases

11. A body of mass m is moving in a circular orbit of radius R about a planet of mass M. At some instant,
R
it splits into two equal masses. The first mass moves in a circular orbit of radius , and the other
2
3R
mass, in a circular orbit of radius . The difference between the final and initial total energies is :
2
[Main Online April 15, 2018]
GMm GMm GMm GMm
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D)
2R 6R 6R 2R

12. If the angular momentum of a planet of mass m, moving around the Sun in a circular orbit is L, about
the center of the Sun, its areal velocity is: [Main 9 Jan. 2019 (I)]
L 4L L 2L
(A) (B) (C) (D)
m m 2m m

1
13. Figure shows elliptical path abcd of a planet around the sun S such that the area of triangle csa is
4
the area of the ellipse. (See figure) With db as the semi-major axis, and ca as the semi-minor axis. If
t1 is the time taken for planet to go over path abc and t 2 for path taken over cda then:
[Main Online April 9, 2016]

(A) t1  4t 2 (B) t1  2t 2 (C) t1  3t 2 (D) t1  t 2

14. A straight rod of length L extends from x = a to x = L + a. The gravitational force it exerts on point
mass ‘m’ at x = 0, if the mass per unit length of the rod is A + Bx2, is given by:
[Main 12 Jan. 2019]
  1 1   1 1  
(A) Gm  A     BL  (B) Gm  A     BL 
 aL a    a aL 
  1 1   1 1  
(C) Gm  A     BL  (D) Gm  A     BL 
 aL a    a aL 

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
15. The ratio of the weights of a body on he Earth’s surfaces to that on the surface of a planet is 9:4. The
1
mass of the planet is th of that of the Earth. If ‘R’ is the radius of the Earth, what is the radius of the
9
planet? (Take the planets to have the same mass density). [Main 2009, 12 April 2019 (I)]
R R R R
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 4 9 2

16. The value of acceleration due to gravity at Earth’s surface is 9.8 ms–2. The altitude above its surface
at which the acceleration due to gravity decreases to 4.9 ms–2, is close to :
(Radius of earth  6.4 106 m ) [Main 10 April 2019 (I)]
(A) 2.6 106 m (B) 6.4 106 m (C) 9.0 106 m (D) 1.6 106 m

17. A solid sphere of mass ‘M’ and radius ‘a’ is surrounded by a uniform concentric spherical shell of
thickness 2a and mass 2M. The gravitational field at distance ‘3a’ from the centre will be:
[Main 9 April 2019 (I)]
2GM GM GM 2GM
(A) 2
(B) 2
(C) 2
(D)
9a 9a 3a 3a 2

18. Four identical particles of mass M are located at the corners of a square of side ‘a’. What should be
their speed if each of them revolves under the influence of others’ gravitational field in a circular orbit
circumscribing the square? [Main 8 April 2019 (I)]

GM GM GM GM
(A) 1.35 (B) 1.16 (C) 1.21 (D) 1.41
a a a a

19. A test particle is moving in circular orbit in the gravitational field produced by a mass density
K
(r)  2 . Identify the correct relation between the radius R of the particle’s orbit and its period T:
r
[Main 8 April 2019 (II)]
2 3
(A) T/R is a constant (B) T R is a constant
2
(C) T/R is a constant (D) TR is a constant

20. The energy required to take a satellite to a height ‘h’ above Earth surface (radius of Earth
 6.4 103 km ) is E1 and kinetic energy required for the satellite to be in a circular orbit at this height
is E 2 . The value of h for which E1 and E 2 are equal, is: [Main 9 Jan. 2019 (II)]
(A) 1.6 103 km (B) 3.2 103 km (C) 6.4 103 km (D) 28 104 km

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
21. A rocket has to be launched from earth in such a way that it never returns. If E is the minimum energy
delivered by the rocket launcher, what should be the minimum energy that the launcher should have
if the same rocket is to be launched from the surface of the moon? Assume that the density of the earth
and the moon are equal and that the earth’s volume is 64 times the volume of the moon.
[Main 8 April 2019 (II)]
E E E E
(A) (B) (C) (D)
64 32 4 16

22. Two satellites, A and B, have masses m and 2m respectively. A is in a circular orbit of radius R, and
B is in a circular orbit of radius 2R around the earth. The ratio of their kinetic energies, TA TB , is :
[Main 12 Jan. 2019 (II)]
1 1
(A) (B) 1 (C) 2 (D)
2 2

23. A satellite is revolving in a circular orbit at a height h from the earth surface, such that h << R where
R is the radius of the earth. Assuming that the effect of earth's atmosphere can be neglected the
minimum increase in the speed required so that the satellite could escape from the gravitational field
of earth is: Main 2016, 11 Jan. 2019 (I)]
gR
(A) 2gR (B) gR (C) (D) gR ( 2  1)
2

24. A satellite is moving with a constant speed v in circular orbit around the earth. An object of mass 'm'
is ejected from the satellite such that it just escapes from the gravitational pull of the earth. At the time
of ejection, the kinetic energy of the object is: [Main 2011, 10 Jan. 2019 (I)]
1 3
(A) 2 m v 2 (B) m v 2 (C) m v 2 (D) m v 2
2 2

25. Two stars of masses 3 1031 kg each, and at distance 2 1011 m rotate in a plane about their common
centre of mass O. A meteorite passes through O moving perpendicular to the star’s rotation plane. In
order to escape from the gravitational field of the this double star, the minimum speed that meteorite
should have at O is: (Take Gravitational constant G  6.6 1011 Nm2 kg 2 )
[Main 10 Jan. 2019 (II)]
(A) 2.4 10 m s
4
(B) 1.4 10 m s
5
(C) 3.8 10 m s
4
(D) 2.8 105 m s

R
26. The value of acceleration due to gravity is g1 at a height h  (R = radius of the earth) from the
2
d
surface of the earth. It is again equal to g1 and a depth d below the surface of the earth. The ratio  
R
equals: [Main 5 Sep. 2020 (I)]
4 5 1 7
(A) (B) (C) (D)
9 9 3 9

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
27. The acceleration due to gravity on the earth’s surface at the poles is g and angular velocity of the earth
about the axis passing through the pole is  . An object is weighed at the equator and at a height h
above the poles by using a spring balance. If the weights are found to be same, then h is :
(h << R, where R is the radius of the earth) [Main 5 Sep. 2020 (II)]
R 
2 2
R 
2 2
R 
2 2
R 22
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2g g 4g 8g

28. On the x-axis and at a distance x from the origin, the gravitational field due to a mass distribution is
Ax
given by 2 2 3/2 in the x-direction. The magnitude of gravitational potential on the x-axis at a
(x  a )
distance x, taking its value of be zero at infinity, is : [Main 4 Sep. 2020 (I)]
A A
(A) (B) (C) A(x 2  a 2 )1/2 (D) A(x 2  a 2 )3/2
(x  a )
2 2 1/2
(x  a )
2 2 3/2

 r2 
29. The mass density of a planet of radius R varies with the distance r from its centre as (r)  0 1  2 
 R 
 
. Then the gravitational field is maximum at : [Main 3 Sep. 2020 (II)]
3 1 5
(A) r  R (B) r  R (C) r  R (D) r  R
4 3 9

30. Consider two solid spheres of radii R1  1m, R 2  2m and masses M1 and M2 , respectively. The
m
gravitational field due to sphere (1) and (2) are shown. The value of 1 is: [Main 8 Jan. 2020 (I)]
m2

2 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 6 2 3

31. A body is moving in a low circular orbit about a planet of mass M and radius R. The radius of the orbit
be taken to be R itself. Then the ratio of the speed of this body in the orbit to the escape velocity from
the planet is : [Main 4 Sep. 2020 (I)]
1
(A) (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 2
2
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 Gravitation Phy. XII
32. A satellite is moving in a low nearly circular orbit around the earth. Its radius is roughly equal to that
of the earth’s radius R e . By firing rockets attached to it, its speed is instantaneously increased in the
3
direction of its motion so that it become times larger. Due to this the farthest distance from the
2
centre of the earth that the satellite reaches is R. Value of R is : [Main 3 Sep. 2020 (I)]
(A) 4R e (B) 2.5R e (C) 3R e (D) 2R e

K
33. The mass density of a spherical galaxy varies as over a large distance ‘r’ from its centre. In that
r
region, a small star is in a circular orbit of radius R. Then the period of revolution, T depends on R as
: [Main 2 Sep. 2020 (I)]
1
(A) T2  R (B) T2  R3 (C) T 2  3 (D) T  R
R

34. A body A of mass m is moving in a circular orbit of radius R about a planet. Another body B of mass
m v
collides with A with a velocity which is half   the instantaneous velocity v of A. The collision
2 2
is completely inelastic. Then, the combined body:
[Main 12 Jan 2019 (I) S; 9 Jan. 2020 (I)]
(A) continues to move in a circular orbit
(B) Escapes from the Planet’s Gravitational field
(C) Falls vertically downwards towards the planet
(D) starts moving in an elliptical orbit around the planet

35. A satellite of mass m is launched vertically upwards with an initial speed u from the surface of the
m
earth. After it reaches height R (R = radius of the earth), it ejects a rocket of mass so that
10
subsequently the satellite moves in a circular orbit. The kinetic energy of the rocket is (G is the
gravitational constant; M is mass of the earth): [Main 7 Jan. 2020 (I)]
m  2 113 GM   119 GM 
(A) u   (B) 5m  u 2  
20  200 R   200 R 
2 2
3m  5GM  m 2GM 
(C)  u   (D)  u  
8  6R  20  3R 

36. A planet revolving in elliptical orbit has:

A. a constant velocity of revolution.
B. has the least velocity is when it is nearest to the sun.
C. its areal velocity is directly proportional to its velocity.
D. areal velocity is inversely proportional to its velocity.
E. to follow a trajectory such that the areal velocity constant. [Main Feb. 26, 2021 (I)]
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A only (B) E only (C) D only (D) C only

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
37. A particle is moving with uniform speed along the circumference of a circle of radius R under the
action of a central fictitious force F which is inversely proportional to R3. Its time period of revolution
will be given by: [Main Feb. 26, 2021 (I)]
4 3 5
(A) T  R3 (B) T  R2 (C) T  R 2
(D) T  R2

38. Four particles each of mass M, move along a circle of radius R under the action of their mutual
gravitational attraction as shown in figure. The speed of each particle is:
[Main 2014 Sep. 1, 2021 (I)]

(A)
1 GM
(B)
1 GM
2 2 1  
2 R 2 2 1   2 R

(C)
1 GM
2 R
2 2 1   (D)
GM
R

39. Find the gravitational force of attraction between the ring and sphere as shown in the diagram, where
the plane of the ring is perpendicular to the line joining the centres. If 8 R is the distance between
the centers of a ring (of mass ‘m’) and a sphere (mass ‘M’) where both have equal radius ‘R’
[Main Feb. 26, 2021 (I)]

1 GMm 8 GMm 8 GMm 2 2 GMm

(A)  (B)  (C)  (D)  2
3 8 R2 9 R2 27 R 2 3 R

40. Consider a planet in some solar system which has a mass double the mass of earth and density equal
to the average density of earth. If the weight of an object on earth is W, the weight of the same object
on that planet will be: [Main July 25, 2021 (II)]
1
(A) 2 W (B) W (C) 23 W (D) 2W

41. A body weight 49 N on a spring balance at the north pole. What will be its weight recorded on the
same weighing machine, if it is shifted to the equator? (Use and radius of earth, R = 6400 km)
[Main Online April 8, 2017 (S); Feb. 24, 2021 (II)]
(A) 49 N (B) 48.83 N (C) 49.83 N (D) 49.17 N

42. A mass of 50 kg is placed at the centre of a uniform spherical shell of mass 100 kg and radius 50 m.
If the gravitational potential at a point, 25 m from centre is V kg/m. The value of V is :
[Main Aug. 27, 2021 (II)]
(A) –60 G (B) +2 G (C) –20 G (D) –4 G

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
43. Inside a uniform spherical shell : [Main Aug. 26, 2021 (I)]
(a) the gravitational field is zero
(b) the gravitational potential is zero
(c) the gravitational field is same everywhere
(d) the gravitation potential is same everywhere
(e) all of the above
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
(A) (a), (c) and (d) only (B) (e) only
(C) (a), (b) and (c) only (D) (b), (c) and (d) only

44. Two planets have masses M and 16 M and their radii are a and 2a, respectively. The separation between
the centres of the planets is 10a. A body of mass m is fired from the surface of the larger planet towards
the smaller planet along the line joining their centres. For the body to be able to reach the surface of
smaller planet, the minimum firing speed needed is:
[Main 6 Sep. 2020 (II); July 27, 2021 (I) S]
GM GM GM 2 3 5GM
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) (D)
a a ma 2 a

45. The masses and radii of the earth and moon are (M1, R1 ) and (M2 , R 2 ) respectively. Their centres
are at a distance ‘r’ apart. Find the minimum escape velocity for a particle of mass ‘m’ to be projected
from the middle of these two masses: [Main Aug. 31, 2021 (I)]
1 4G  M1  M 2  4G  M1  M 2 
(A) V  (B) V 
2 r r
1 2G  M1  M 2  2G  M1  M 2 
(C) V  (D) V 
2 r r

46. Two satellites A and B of masses 200 kg and 400 kg are revolving round the earth at height of 600 km
and 1600 km respectively. If TA and TB are the time periods of A and B respectively then the value
of TB  TA : [Given: radius of earth = 6400 km, mass of earth  6  1024 kg ]
[Main Feb. 25, 2021 (I)]

(A) 4.24 102 s (B) 1.33 103 s (C) 4.24 103 s (D) 3.33 102 s

47. Two starts of masses m and 2m at a distance d rotate about their common centre of mass in free space.
The period of revolution is : [Main Feb. 24, 2021 (I)]
1 d3 d3 1 3Gm 3Gm
(A) (B) 2 (C) (D) 2
2 3Gm 3Gm 2 d 3 d3

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
48. The time period of a satellite revolving around earth in a given orbit is 7 hours. If the radius of orbit
is increased to three times its previous value, then approximate new time period of the satellite will
be: [Main June 29, 2022 (II)]
(A) 40 hours (B) 36 hours (C) 30 hours (D) 25 hours

49. Two planets A and B of equal mass are having their period of revolutions TA and TB such that
TA  2TB . These planers are revolving in the circular orbits of radii rA and rB respectively. Which
out of the following would be the correct relationship of their orbits? [Main June 28, 2022 (I)]
(A) 2rA  rB
2 2
(B) rA  2rB
3 3

2 3
(C) rA3  4rB3 (D) TA2  TB2  (rB  4rA3 )
GM

50. The minimum and maximum distances of a planet revolving around the Sun are x1 and x 2 . If the
minimum speed of the planet on its trajectory is v0 then its maximum speed will be:
[Main July 25, 2021 (I), June 25, 2022 (I)]
2 2
v x v x v x v x
(A) 0 21 (B) 0 2 2 (C) 0 1 (D) 0 2
x2 x1 x2 x1

51. Three identical particles A, B and C of mass 100 kg each are placed in a straight line with AB = BC =
13 m. The gravitational force on a fourth particle P of the same mass is F, when placed at a distance
13 m from the particle B on the perpendicular bisector of the line AC. The value of F will be
approximately: [Main July 25, 2022 (I)]
(A) 21 G (B) 100 G (C) 59 G (D) 42 G

52. The percentage decrease in the weight of a rocket, when taken to a height of 32 km above the surface
of earth will, be (Radius of earth = 6400 km) [Main July 26, 2022 (I)]
(A) 1% (B) 3% (C) 4% (D) 0.5%

53. The radii of two planets A and B are in the ratio 2 : 3. Their densities are 3p and 5p respectively. The
ratio of their acceleration due to gravity is: [Main June 30, 2022 (I)]
(A) 9 : 4 (B) 9 : 8 (C) 9 : 10 (D) 2 : 5

54. Given below are two statements:

Statement I : The law of gravitation holds good for any pair of bodies in the universe.
Statement II : The weight of any person becomes zero when the person is at the centre of the earth.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(A) Both Statement I and Statement II are true [Main June 27, 2022 (I)]
(B) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
(C) Statement I is true but Statement II are false
(D) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
55. The variation of acceleration due to gravity (g) with distance (r) from the centre of the earth is correctly
represented by : (Given R = radius of earth) [Main June 26, 2022 (I)]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

1
56. The approximate height from the surface of earth at which the weight of the body becomes of its
3
weight on the surface of earth is: [Main June 24, 2022 (I)]
[Radius of earth R = 6400 km and 3  1.732 ]
(A) 3840 km (B) 4685 km (C) 2133 km (D) 4267 km

57. If the radius of the earth were to shrink by one percent, its mass remaining the same, the acceleration
due to gravity on the earth's surface would [Main 1981, July 28, 2022 (I)]
(A) decrease (B) remain unchanged
(C) increase (D) be zero

58. Four spheres each of mass m form a square of side d (as shown in figure). A fifth sphere of mass M is
situated at the centre of square. The total gravitational potential energy of the system is:
[Main June 27, 2022 (I)]

(A) 
Gm 
d 
 
4  2 m  4 2M 

(B) 
Gm 
d 
 
4  2 M  4 2m 

Gm  2 Gm  2
(C)  3m  4 2M  (D)  6m  4 2M 
d   d  

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
59. Two satellites A and B having masses in the ratio 4 : 3 are revolving in circular orbits of radii 3r and
4r respectively around the earth. The ratio of total mechanical energy of A to B is:
[Main July 27, 2022 (II)]
(A) 9 : 16 (B) 16 : 9 (C) 1 : 1 (D) 4 : 3

60. A body of mass m is projected with velocity ve in vertically upward direction from the surface of
the earth into space. It is given that ve is escape velocity and   1 . If air resistance is considered to
be negligible, then the maximum height from the centre of earth, to which the body can go, will be
(R : radius of earth) [Main July 27, 2022 (II)]
R R R 2R
(A) (B) (C) (D)
1  2 1  2 1  1  2

61. A body is projected vertically upwards from the surface of earth with a velocity equal to one third of
escape velocity. The maximum height attained by the body will be:
(Take radius of earth = 6400 km and g = 10 ms–2) [Main July 26, 2022 (II)]
(A) 800 km (B) 1600 km (C) 2133 km (D) 4800 km

62. The escape velocity of a body on a planet ‘A’ is 12 kms–1. The escape velocity of the body on another
planet ‘B”, whose density is four times and radius is half of the planet ‘A’, is :
[Main June 29, 2022 (I)]
1 1 1
(A) 12 kms (B) 24 kms (C) 36 kms (D) 6 kms 1

Numerical Value Answer

63. An asteroid is moving directly towards the centre of the earth. When at a distance of 10 R (R is the
radius of the earth) from the earths centre, it has a speed of 12 km/s. Neglecting the effect of earths
atmosphere, what will be the speed of the asteroid when it hits the surface of the earth (escape velocity
from the earth is 11.2 km/s)? Give your answer to the nearest integer in kilometre/s ____.
[Main 8 Jan. 2020 (II)]

64. In the reported figure of earth, the value of acceleration due to gravity is same at point A and C but it
is smaller than that of its value at point B (surface of the earth). The value of OA : AB will be x : y.
The value of x is ________. [Main 2 Sep. 2020 (II) (S); Feb. 26, 2021 (II)]

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
65. A body of mass (2M) splits into four masses {m, M – m, m, M – m}, which are rearranged to form a
M
square as shown in the figure. The ratio of for which, the gravitational potential energy of the
m
system becomes maximum is x : 1. The value of x is ________ [Main Aug. 27, 2021 (I)]

66. If one wants to remove all the mass of the earth to infinity in order to break it up completely. The
x GM 2
amount of energy that needs to be supplied will be where x is _____
5 R
(Round off to the Nearest Integer). (M is the mass of earth, R is the radius of earth, G is the
gravitational constant). [Main Mark 16, 2021 (II)]

67. The radius in kilometre to which the present radius of earth (R = 6400 km) to be compressed so that
the escape velocity is increased 10 times is ______. [Main March 17, 2021 (I)]

68. The initial velocity vi required to project a body vertically upward from the surface of the earth to
reach a height of 10R, where R is the radius of the earth, may be described in terms of escape velocity
x
ve such that vi   ve . The value of x will be ______. [Main Feb. 25, 2021 (II)]
y

69. If the acceleration due to gravity experienced by a point mass at a height h above the surface of earth
is same as that of the acceleration due to gravity at a depth h (h  R e ) from the earth surface. The
value of  will be __________. (use R e  6400 km ) [Main July 29, 2022 (I)]

70. The elongation of a wire on the surface of the earth is 104 m. The same wire of same dimensions is
elongated by 6 105 m on another planet. The acceleration due to gravity on the planet will be _____
ms 2 . (Take acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth = 10 m/s–2)
[Main June 26, 2022 (I)]

71. Two satellites S1 and S2 are revolving in circular orbits around a planet with radius R1  3200 km
and R 2  800 km respectively. The ratio of speed of satellite S1 to the speed of satellite S2 in their
1
respectively orbits would be where x = [Main June 25, 2022 (II)]
x

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 EXERCISE-1

Q.1 A satellite of the earth is revolving in circular orbit with a uniform speed V. If the gravitational force
suddenly disappears, the satellite will
(A) continue to move with the same speed in the same orbit.
(B) move tangentially to the original orbit with velocity V.
(C) fall down with increasing speed.
(D) come to stop somewhere in its original orbit.

Q.2 A newly discovered planet has a density eight times the density of the earth and radius twice the
radius of the earth. The time taken by 2 kg mass to fall freely through a distance S near the surface of
the earth is 1 second. Then the time taken for a 4 kg mass to fall freely through the same distance S
near the surface of the new planet is
(A) 0.25 sec. (B) 0.5 sec (C) 1 sec. (D) 4 sec.

Q.3 Four particles of equal masses M move along a circle of radius R under the action of their mutual
gravitational attraction maintaining a square shape. The speed of each particle is

GM  2 2  1  GM  2  1  GM 4GM
   
(A)
R  4  (B) R  4  (C)

R 2 1  (D)

R 2 1 
Q.4 At what height above the earth’s surface does the acceleration due to gravity fall to 1% of its value at
the earth’s surface?
(A) 9R (B) 10R (C) 99R (D) 100R

Q.5 Find the distance between centre of gravity and centre of mass of a two particle
system attached to the ends of a light rod. Each particle has same mass. Length of
the rod is R, where R is the radius of earth.
(A) R (B) R/2 (C) zero (D) R/4

Q.6 The radius of a planet is R. A satellite revolves around it in a circle of radius r with angular velocity
0. The acceleration due to the gravity on planet’s surface is
r 30 3 3 r 302 r 302
(A) (B) r 0 (C) (D)
R R2 R R2

Q.7 A solid sphere of uniform density and radius R applies a gravitational

force of attraction equal to F1 on a particle placed at a distance 3R from
the centre of the sphere. A spherical cavity of radius R/2 is now made
in the sphere as shown in the figure. The sphere with cavity now applies
a gravitational force F2 on the same particle. The ratio F2/F1 is:
9 41 3 22
(A) (B) (C) (D)
50 50 25 25

Q.8 The mass and diameter of a planet are twice those of earth. What will be the period of oscillation of
a pendulum on this planet if it is a second pendulum on earth?
1 1
(A) 2 second (B) 2 2 seconds (C) second (D) second
2 2 2
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Q.9 A particle of mass M is at a distance a from the surface of a thin spherical shell
of equal mass and having radius a.
(A) Gravitational field and potential both are zero at centre of the shell.
(B) Gravitational field is zero not only inside the shell but at a point outside the shell also.
(C) Inside the shell, gravitational field alone is zero.
(D) Neither gravitational field nor gravitational potential is zero inside the shell.

Q.10 Three point masses, M each, are moving in a circle , each with a speed v, under their mutual
gravitational attractive force. The distance between any two masses must be:
(A) 2GM/v2 (B) 3GM/v2 (C) GM 3 / v 2 (D) GM/v2
Q.11 How much deep inside the earth should a man go so that his weight becomes one fourth of that at a
point which is at a height R above the surface of earth .
(A) R/4 (B) 15R/16 (C) 3R/4 (D) R/2

Q.12 A satellite revolves in the geostationary orbit but in a direction east to west. The time interval between
its successive passing about a point on the equator is :
(A) 48 hrs (B) 24 hrs (C) 12 hrs (D) never

Q.13 A particle starts from rest at a distance R from the centre and along the axis of
a fixed ring of radius R & mass M. Its velocity at the centre of the ring is:
2 GM 2GM
(A) (B)
R R

(C)

1 

1  GM

2 R
(D) 2  2  GM
R

Q.14 A spherical uniform planet is rotating about its axis. The velocity of a point on its equator is V. Due to
the rotation of planet about its axis the acceleration due to gravity at equator is 1/2 of gravity at poles.
The escape velocity of a particle on the planet in terms of V.
(A) Ve = 2V (B) Ve = V (C) Ve = V 2 (D) Ve = 3V

Q.15 Two point masses of mass 4 and respectively separated by distance are revolving under mutual
force of attraction. Ratio of their kinetic energies will be :
(A) 1 : 4 (B) 1 : 5 (C) 1 : 1 (D) 1 : 2

Q.16 Two planets A and B have the same material density. If the radius of A is twice that of B, then the ratio
vA
of the escape velocity is
vB
(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) 1 2 (D) 1 2

Q.17 An artificial satellite of the earth releases a package. If air resistance is neglected, the point where the
package will hit (with respect to the position at the time of release) will be
(A) ahead (B) exactly below
(C) behind (D) it will never reach the earth

Q.18 A person brings a mass of 1 kg from infinity to a point A. Initially the mass was at rest but it moves at a
speed of 2 m/s as it reaches A. The work done by the person on the mass is –3J. The potential at A is :
(A) –3 J/kg (B) –2 J/kg (C) –5 J/kg (D) – 7 J/kg

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Q.19 The magnitude of the potential energy per unit mass of the object at the surface of earth is E. Then the
escape velocity of the object is:
(A) 2E (B) 4E2 (C) E (D) 2E

Q.20 Suppose a smooth tunnel is dug along a straight line joining two points on the surface of the earth and
a particle is dropped from rest at its one end. Assume that mass of earth is uniformly distributed over
its Volume. Then
GM e
(A) the particle will emerge from the other end with velocity where Me and Re are earth’s
2R e
mass and radius respectively,
(B) the particle will come to rest at centre of the tunnel because at this position, particle is closest to earth
centre.
(C) potential energy of the particle will be equal to zero at centre of tunnel if it is along a diameter.
(D) acceleration of the particle will be proportional to its distance from midpoint of the tunnel.

Q.21 A hollow spherical shell is compressed to half its radius. The gravitational potential at the centre
(A) increases
(B) decreases
(C) remains same
(D) during the compression increases then returns to the previous value.

Q.22 Consider two configurations of a system of three particles of masses

m, 2m and 3m. The work done by external agent in changing the
configuration of the system from figure (i) to figure (ii) is

6Gm 2  1 
(A) zero (B) – 1  
a  2

6Gm 2  1  6Gm 2  1 
(C) – 1   (D) – 2 
a  2 a  2

Q.23 Two satellites of mass m1 & m2 are in same circular orbit around earth but are revolving in opposite
sense. When they undergo completely inelastic collision, the combination
(A) continues in same orbit
(B) goes to a circular orbit of lesser radius
(C) goes in an elliptical orbit within the original circle
(D) goes in an elliptical orbit outside the original circle

Q.24 A particle is dropped on Earth from height R (radius of Earth) and it bounces back to a height R/2, the
coefficient of restitution for collision is (ignore air resistance and rotation of Earth)

2 2 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 3 3 2

Q.25 A body of mass m is lifted up from the surface of the earth to a height three times the radius of the
earth. The change in potential energy of the body is
(A) 3mgR (B) 3/4 mgR (C) 1/3 mgR (D) 2/3 mgR
where g is acceleration due to gravity at the surface of earth.

Q.26 Two satellites S1 and S2 describe circular orbits of radius r and 2r respectively around a planet. If the
orbital angular velocity of S1 is , that of S2 is :
(A) /(22) (B) (2)/3 (C) /2 (D) /2

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Q.27 When a satellite moves around the earth in a certain orbit, the quantity which remains constant is
(A) angular velocity (B) kinetic energy (C) areal velocity (D) potential energy

Q.28 A satellite is launched into a circular orbit of radius R around the earth. A second satellite is launched
into an orbit of radius 1.02R. The period of second satellite is larger than the first one by approximately
(A) 1.5% (B) 3% (C) 1% (D) 2%

Q.29 A satellite of mass 5M orbits the earth in a circular orbit. At one point in its orbit, the satellite explodes into
two pieces, one of mass M and the other of mass 4M. After the explosion the mass M ends up travelling in
the same circular orbit, but in opposite direction. After explosion the mass 4M is in
(A) bound orbit (B) unbound orbit
(C) partially bound orbit (D) data is insufficient to determine the nature of the orbit.

Q.30 A planet of mass m is in an elliptical orbit about the sun (m << Msun) with an orbital period T. If A be
the area of orbit, then its angular momentum would be:
2mA mA
(A) (B) mAT (C) (D) 2mAT
T 2T

Q.31 A satellite is orbiting round the earth. In a particular orbit its time period is T and orbital speed is V. In
another orbit the orbital speed is 2V, then time period will be
(A) 8T (B) 2T (C) T/2 (D) T/8

Q.32 In a double star system, the masses of the two stars are M and 3M. The orbit radius of the lighter star
is R. The time period of each star is
(A) 8[R3/GM]1/2 (B) 16[R3/GM]1/2 (C)4[2R3/GM]1/2 (D) None

Q.33 A space ship of mass m is in circular orbit of radius 2Re about the earth of mass M and radius Re.
Energy required to transfer the space ship to circular orbit of radius 3Re is
GMm GMm GMm GMm
(A) 8R (B) (C) (D)
e 4R e 24R e 12R e
Q.34 A particle is projected from the mid-point of the line joining two fixed particles each of mass m. If the
separation between the fixed particles is , the minimum velocity of projection of the particle so as to
escape is equal to
GM GM 2GM 2GM
(A) (B) (C) (D) 2
l 2l l l
Q.35 The escape velocity for a planet is ve. A tunnel is dug along a diameter of the planet and a small body is
dropped into it at the surface. When the body reaches the centre of the planet, its speed will be
ve ve
(A) ve (B) (C) (D) zero
2 2

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 EXERCISE-II

Q.1 Assuming the earth to be a sphere of uniform density then the acceleration due to gravity
(A) at a point outside the earth is inversely proportional to the square of its distance from the centre
(B) at a point outside the earth is inversely proportional to its distance from the centre
(C) at a point inside is zero
(D) at a point inside is proportional to its distance from the centre.

Q.2 Three particles are projected vertically upward from a point on the surface of the earth with velocities
(2gR/3) , (gR) , (4gR/3) respectively where R is the radius of the earth and g is the acceleration
due to gravity on the surface of the earth. The maximum heights attained are respectively h1, h2, h3.
(A) h1 : h2 = 2 : 3 (B) h2 : h3 = 3 : 4 (C) h1 : h3 = 1 : 4 (D) h2 = R
Q.3 Gravitational potential at the centre of curvature of a hemispherical bowl of radius R and mass M is V.
(A) gravitational potential at the centre of curvature of a thin uniform wire of mass M, bent into a
semicircle of radius R, is also equal to V.
(B) In part (A) if the same wire is bent into a quarter of a circle then also the gravitational potential
at the centre of curvature will be V.
(C) In part (A) for the same wire mass is nonuniformly distributed along its length and it is bent into
a semicircle of radius R, gravitational potential at the centre is V.
(D) none of these

Q.4 The spherical planets have the same mass but densities in the ratio 1 : 8. For these planets, the
(A) acceleration due to gravity will be in the ratio 4 : 1
(B) acceleration due to gravity will be in the ratio 1 : 4
(C) escape velocities from their surfaces will be in the ratio 2 :1
(D) escape velocities from their surfaces will be in the ratio 1 : 2

Q.5 A communications Earth satellite

(A) goes round the earth from east to west (B) can be in the equatorial plane only
(C) can be vertically above any place on the earth (D) goes round the earth from west to east

Q.6 An earth satellite is moved from one stable circular orbit to another larger and stable circular orbit.
The following quantities increase for the satellite as a result of this change
(A) gravitational potential energy (B) angular velocity
(C) linear orbital velocity (D) centripetal acceleration

Q.7 Two satellites of same mass of a planet in circular orbits have periods of revolution 32 days and 256
days. If the radius of the orbit of the first is x, then the
(A) radius of the orbit of the second is 8x (B) radius of the orbit of the second is 4x
(C) total mechanical energy of the second is greater than that of the first
(D) kinetic energy of the second is greater than that of the first.

Q.8 Two satellites s1 & s2 of equal masses revolve in the same sense around a heavy planet in coplanar
circular orbit of radii R & 4R
(A) the ratio of period of revolution of s1 & s2 is 1 : 8.
(B) their velocities are in the ratio 2 : 1
(C) their angular momentum about the planet are in the ratio 2 : 1
(D) none

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Q.9 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 the 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

Q.10 If a satellite orbits as close to the earth's surface as possible,

(A) its speed is maximum
(B) time period of its rotation is minimum
(C) the total energy of the 'earth plus satellite' system is minimum
(D) the total energy of the 'earth plus satellite'system is maximum

EXERCISE-III
A P
Figure shows the orbit of a planet P round the sun S. AB and CD are D C
the minor and major axes of the ellipse. S

B
Q.1 If t1 is the time taken by the planet to travel along ACB and t2 the time along BDA, then
(A) t1 = t2 (B) t1 > t2 (C) t1 < t2 (D) nothing can be concluded

Q.2 If U is the potential energy and K kinetic energy then |U| > |K| at
(A) Only D (B) Only C (C) both D & C (D) neither D nor C

Q.3 If a tunnel is cut at any orientation through earth, then a ball released from one end will reach the
other end in time(neglect earth rotation)
(A) 84.6 minutes (B) 42.3 minutes (C) 8 minutes (D) depends on orientation

Questions 4 to 8
Two stars bound together by gravity orbit each other because of their mutual attraction. Such a pair of
stars is referred to as a binary star system. One type of binary system is that of a black hole and a
companion star. The black hole is a star that has collapsed on itself and is so massive that not even light
rays can escape its gravitational pull. Therefore, when describing the relative motion of a black hole and
a companion star, the motion of the black hole can be assumed negligible compared to that of the
companion.
The orbit of the companion star is either elliptical with the black hole at one of the foci or circular with
the black hole at the centre. The gravitational potential energy is given by U = – , where G is
the universal gravitational constant, m is the mass of the companion star, M is the mass of the black
hole, and is the distance between the centre of the companion star and the centre of the black hole.
Because of the periodic nature of the orbit, there is a simple relation between the average kinetic
energy <K > of the companion star and its average potential energy < U>. In particular, <K> = –
<U/2>.Two special points along the orbit are singled out by astronomers. is the point at which
the companion star is closest to the black hole, and is the point at which it is furthest from the
black hole.

Q.4 At which point in the elliptical orbit does the companion star attain its maximum kinetic energy?
(A) Apogee
(B) Perigee
(C) The point midway from apogee to perigee
(D) All points in the orbit, since the kinetic energy is a constant of the motion.

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Q.5 For circular orbits, the potential energy of the companion star is constant throughout the orbit. If the
radius of the orbit doubles, what is the new value of the velocity of the companion star?
(A) It is 1/2 of the old value (B) It is 1 2 of the old value
(C) It is the same as the old value. (D) It is double the old value

Q.6 The work done on the companion star in one complete orbit by the gravitational force of the black hole
equals
(A) the difference in the kinetic energy of the companion star between apogee and perigee.
(B) the total mechanical energy of the companion star
(C) zero
(D) the gravitational force on the companion star times the distance that it travels in one orbit.

Q.7 For a circular orbit, which of the following gives the correct expression for the total energy?
(A) – (1/2) mv2 (B) mv2 (C) – (GmM) / r (D) (GmM) / 2r

Q.8 What is the ratio of the acceleration of the black hole to that of the companion star?
(A) M / m (B) m / M (C) mM / r (D) 1 / 1

Q.9. Match the following (for a satellite in circular orbit)

List I List II
GMm
(A) Kinetic energy (i) 
2r
GM
(B) Potential energy (ii)
r
GMm
(C) Total energy (iii) 
r
GMm
(D) Orbital velocity (iv)
2r
Q.10. Match the following :
List I List II
(A) Newton’s law of Gravitation (i) Law of conservation of angular momentum
(B) Kepler’s second law (ii)
(C) Kepler’s first law (iii) Inverse square law
(D) Kepler’s third law (iv) Orbit of planet is elliptical

ASSERTION & REASON

Mark your answer as
(a)If statement I is true, Statement II is true; Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
(b)If statement I is true, Statement II is true, Statement II is not a correct explanation for Statement I
(c)If statement I is true; Statement II is false
(d)If statement I is false, Statement II is true

Q.11. Assertion : If a particle is projected from ground with some velocity (not very large) at an angle with
horizontal, path of the particle is assumed parabolic, although it is not exactly parabolic.
Reason : Magnitude of acceleration due to gravity at all places is assumed to be constant, although
it is not so.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D (e) E

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 R
Q.12. Assertion : From a solid sphere of radius R, a hole of radius is cut as
2
shown in figure. To find the magnitude of gravitational potential and
gravitational field strength at O, we can directly subtract potential due to R
O
2
hole (before removing) from potential due to whole sphere (before removing).
The same can be done to find field strength at O, although potential is a
scalar quantity and field strength a vector quantity.
Reason : In gravity, it is done like this because for spherical bodies result comes the same. It makes
no difference, whether the field strength is added / subtracted by vector method or by scalar method.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D (e) E

Q.13. Assertion : At height from ground and at depth below ground, where is approximately equal
to 0.62 R, the value of ‘ ’ , acceleration due to gravity is same.
Reason : Value of ‘ ’ decreases both sides, in going up and down.
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D (e) E

Q.14. Assertion : If radius of earth (assuming to be perfect sphere) is decreased keeping its mass
constant, effective value of g will increase at poles while may increase or decrease at equator.
GM
Reason : Value of g on the surface of earth is given by =
R2
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D (e) E

Q.15. Assertion : Radius of circular orbit of a satellite is made two times, then its areal velocity will also
become two times.
dA L mvr
Reason : Areal velocity is given as   .
dt 2m 2m
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D (e) E

EXERCISE-IV
(SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS) v
m

r
Q.1. Two particles of equal mass are moving in a circle of radius
C
under the action of their mutual gravitational attraction.
r
Find the speed of each particle. m
v

Q.2. Find the gravitational force of attraction between a uniform sphere of mass and a uniform rod of
length  and mass oriented as shown in the figure.

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Q.3. Find the potential energy of the gravitational interaction of a point

mass and thin uniform rod of mass and length , If they are m

located along a straight line at a distance a from each other. a

Q.4. Inside a uniform sphere of density  there is a spherical cavity whose

centre is at a distance  from the center of the sphere. Find the strength
of the gravitational field inside the cavity.

Q.5. A particle of mass is placed at the centre of curvature of fixed, uniform semi-circular ring of
radius and mass .Calculate the interaction force between the ring and the particle.

Q.6 A certain triple-star system consists of two stars, each of mass m, revolving about a central star, mass
M, in the same circular orbit. The two stars stay at opposite ends of a diameter of the circular orbit.
Derive an expression for the period of revolution of the stars, the radius of the orbit is r.

Q.7 Find the gravitational force of interaction between the mass m and
an infinite rod of varying mass density  such that (x) =  x ,
where x is the distance from mass m. Given that mass m is placed at
a distance d from the end of the rod on its axis as shown in figure.

Q.8 Inside an isolated fixed sphere of radius R and uniform density  ,there is a spherical cavity of radius
R/2 such that the surface of the cavity passes through the centre of the sphere as in figure. A particle
of mass m is released from rest at centre B of the cavity. Calculate velocity with which particle strikes
the centre A of the sphere.

Q.9 In a certain double star system the two stars rotate in circular orbits about their common centre of
mass. The stars are spherical , they have same density  and their radii are R and 2 R . Their centres
are 5 R apart. Find the period T of stars in terms of  , R & G .

Q.10 A man can jump over b = 4m wide trench on earth. If mean density of an imaginary planet is twice
that of the earth, calculate its maximum possible radius so that he may escape from it by jumping.
Given radius of earth = 6400 km.

Q.11 A body is launched from the earth’s surface at an angle  = 30o to the horizontal at a speed

1.5GM
v0= . Neglecting air resistance and earth’s rotation, find the height to which the body will
R
rise.

Q.12 Assume that a tunnel is dug across the earth (radius = R) passing through its centre. Find the time a
particle takes to reach centre of earth if it is projected into the tunnel from surface of earth with speed
needed for it to escape the gravitational field of earth.

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 Gravitation Phy. XII

Only One Option Correct

1. A thin uniform annular disc (see figure) of mass M has outer radius 4R and inner radius 3R, The
work required to take a unit mass from point P on its axis to infinity is [2010]

2GM 2GM GM 2GM

(A) (4 2  5) (B)  (4 2  5) (C) (D) ( 2  1)
7R 7R 4R 5R

1
2. A planet of radius R   (radius of Earth) has the same mass density as Earth. Scientists dig a
10
R
well of depth on it and lower a wire of the same length and a linear mass density 103 kg m 1 into
5
it. If the wire is not touching anywhere, the force applied at the top of the wire by a person holding it
in place is (take the radius of Earth  6 106 m and the acceleration due to gravity of Earth is
10 ms 2 ) [Adv. 2014]
(A) 96 N (B) 108 N (C) 120 N (D) 150 N

3. A rocket is launched normal to the surface of the Earth, away from the Sun, along the line joining
the Sun and the Earth. The Sun is 3 105 times heavier than the Earth and is at a distance 2.5 104
times larger than the radius of the Earth. The escape velocity from Earth's gravitational field is
ve  11.2 kms 1 . The minimum initial velocity (vs ) required for the rocket to be able to leave the
Sun-Earth system is closest to (Ignore the rotation and revolution of the Earth and the presence of
any other planet) [Adv. 2017]
1 1 1
(A) vs  22 km s (B) vs  42 km s (C) vs  62 km s (D) vs  72 km s 1

4. Consider spherical gaseous cloud of mass density (r) in a free space where r is the radial distance
from its center. The gaseous cloud is made of particles of equal mass m moving in circular orbits
about the common centre with the same kinetic energy K. The force acting on the particles is their
mutual gravitational force. If (r) is constant in time. The particle number density n(r)  (r) m is
[G is universal gravitational constant] [Adv. 2019]
3K K K K
(A) (B) (C) (D)
r m G
2 2
2 r m G
2 2
r m G
2 2
6 r m G
2 2

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
One or More than One Option Correct
1. Two bodies, each of mass M, are kept fixed with a separation 2L. A particle of mass m is projected
from the midpoint of the line joining their centres, perpendicular to the line. The gravitational
constant is G. The correct statement(s) is (are) [Adv. 2013]
(A) The minimum initial velocity of the mass m to escape the gravitational field of the two bodies is
GM
4
L
(B) The minimum initial velocity of the mass m to escape the gravitational field of the two bodies is
GM
2
L
(C) The minimum initial velocity of the mass m to escape the gravitational field of the two bodies is
2GM
L
(D) The energy of the mass m remains constant

Matrix-Match Type
1. A planet of mass M, has two natural satellites with masses m1 and m 2 . The radii of their circular
orbits are R1 and R 2 respectively, Ignore the gravitational force between the satellites. Define
v1, L1, K1 and T1 to be, respectively, the orbital speed, angular momentum, kinetic energy and time
period of revolution of satellite 1; and v2 , L 2 , K 2 , and T2 to be the corresponding quantities of
satellite 2. Given m1 m2  2 and R1 R 2  1 4 , match the ratios in List-I to the numbers in List-II.
[Adv. 2018]
LIST–I LIST–II
P. v1 v2 1. 1/8
Q. L1 L2 2. 1
R. K1 K2 3. 2
S. T1 T2 4. 8
(A) P  4; Q  2; R  1; S  3 (B) P  3; Q  2; R  4; S  1
(C) P  2; Q  3; R  1; S  4 (D) P  2; Q  3; R  4; S  1

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 Gravitation Phy. XII
Integer / Numerical Answer Type
1. A large spherical mass M is fixed at one position and two identical point masses m are kept on a line
passing through the centre of M (see figure). The point masses are connected by a rigid massless rod
of length and this assembly is free to move along the line connecting them. All three masses
interact only through their mutual gravitational interaction. When the point mass nearer to M is at a
 M 
distance r  3 from M, the tension in the rod is zero for m  k  .
 288 
The value of k is [Adv. 2015]

2. A bullet is fired vertical upwards with velocity v from the surface of a spherical planet. When it
1
reaches it maximum height, its acceleration due to the planet’s gravity is th of its value of the
4
surface of the planet. If the escape velocity from the planet is vesc  v N , then the value of N is
(ignore energy loss due to atmosphere) [Adv. 2015]

3. The distance between two stars of masses 3MS and 6MS is 9R. Here R is the mean distance
between the centers of the Earth and the Sun, and MS is the mass of the Sun. The two stars orbit
around their common center of mass in circular orbits with period nT, where Tis the period of
Earth's revolution around the Sun. The value of n is ________. [Adv. 2021]

4. Two spherical stars A and B have densities A and  B , respectively. A and B have the same radius,
and their masses M A and MB are related by MB  2MA . Due to an interaction process, star A
loses some of its mass, so that its radius is halved, while it spherical shape is retained, and its density
remains A . The entire mass of lost by A is deposited as a thick spherical shell on B with the
density of the shell being A . If v A and v B are the escape velocities from A and B after the
vB 10n
interaction process, the ratio  , the value of n is __________. [Adv. 2022]
vA 101/3

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 Answer Key Phy. XII

Gravitation
JEE Main Exercise
1. (A) 2. (D) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (B)
6. (A) 7. (B) 8. (C) 9. (D) 10. (B)
11. (C) 12. (B) 13. (C) 14. (A) 15. (C)
16. (C) 17. (A) 18. (D) 19. (C) 20. (C)
21. (C) 22. (D) 23. (A) 24. (A) 25. (C)
26. (2) 27. (40) 28. (0.01) 29. (4) 30. (5)
31. (4) 32. (8) 33. (7)

1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (C) 4. (A) 5. (D)

6. (D) 7. (C) 8. (A) 9. (A) 10. (D)
11. (C) 12. (C) 13. (C) 14. (D) 15. (D)
16. (A) 17. (C) 18. (B) 19. (A) 20. (B)
21. (D) 22. (B) 23. (D) 24. (B) 25. (D)
26. (B) 27. (A) 28. (A) 29. (D) 30. (B)
31. (A) 32. (C) 33. (A) 34. (D) 35. (B)
36. (B) 37. (C) 38. (B) 39. (A) 40. (C)
41. (B) 42. (D) 43. (A) 44. (D) 45. (B)
46. (B) 47. (B) 48. (B) 49. (C) 50. (C)
51. (B) 52. (A) 53. (D) 54. (A) 55. (A)
56. (B) 57. (C) 58. (A) 59. (B) 60. (B)
61. (A) 62. (A) 63. (16.00) 64. (04.00) 65. (2)
66. (3) 67. (64) 68. (10) 69. (2) 70. (6)
71. (2)

JEE Advanced Exercise

Exercise – 1
1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (A) 4. (A) 5. (B)
6. (D) 7. (B) 8. (B) 9. (D) 10. (D)
11. (B) 12. (C) 13. (D) 14. (A) 15. (A)
16. (A) 17. (D) 18. (C) 19. (A) 20. (D)
21. (B) 22. (C) 23. (C) 24. (B) 25. (B)
26. (A) 27. (C) 28. (B) 29. (B) 30. (A)
31. (D) 32. (D) 33. (D) 34. (D) 35. (B)

Exercise – 2
1. (A, D) 2. (C, D) 3. (A, B, C) 4. (B, D) 5. (B, D)
6. (A) 7. (B, C) 8. (A, B) 9. (A) 10. (A, B, C)

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 Answer Key Phy. XII
Exercise – 3
1. (B) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (B) 5. (B)
6. (C) 7. (A) 8. (B)
9. A  (IV), B  (III), C  (I), D  (II)
10. A  (III), B  (I), C  (IV), D  (II)
11. (A) 12. (C) 13. (B) 14. (B) 15. (D)

Exercise – 4

Gm GMm Gm 2 2a  l 4
1. v 2. 3. ln 4. Gl
4r r(r  l) l 2a  l 3
2GmM 4 r 3 2 Gm 2
5. 6. 7. 8. GR 2
R 2 G(4 M  m) 2d 2 3
5  7 
9. T5 10. 6.4 km 11. h    1  R
3G  2 
R  1 
12. T  sin 1  
g  3

Only One Option Correct

1. (A) 2. (B) 3. (B) 4. (B)

One or More than One Option Correct

1. (B, D)

Matrix-Match Type
1. (B)

Integer / Numerical Answer Type

1. (7) 2. (2) 3. (9) 4. (2.3)

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