4 GRAVITATION

Introduction
The motion of celestial bodies such as the sun, the moon, the earth and the planets etc. has been a subject of
fascination since time immemorial. Indian astronomers of the ancient times have done brilliant work in this
field, the most notable among them being Arya Bhatt the first person to assert that all planets including the earth
revolve round the sun.
A millennium later the Danish astronomer Tyco Brahe (1546-1601) conducted a detailed study of planetary
motion which was interpreted by his pupil Johnaase Kepler (1571-1630), ironically after the master himself had
passed away. Kepler formulated his important findings in three laws of planetary motion

A. NEWTON’S LAW OF GRAVITATION

The magnitude and the direction of the gravitational force between two particles are given by the
universal law of gravitation, which was formulated by Newton.
Universal Law of Gravitation:
The force of attraction between any two particles is directly proportional to the product of the masses of
the particles and is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Mathematical Expression:
The universal law of gravitation states that the magnitude of the force of attraction between the bodies is:
(i) directly proportional to the product of their masses.
(ii) Inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

According to law of gravitation

F  m1m2 ........(i)
1
F 2 …….(ii)
r
combining (i) and (ii)
mm Gm1m2
F  12 2  F=
r r2
When G is proportionality constant and is known as the universal gravitational constant.

(a) Universal Gravitational Constant:

(i) Definition:
Gm1m 2
In relation, F=
r2
If m1 = m2 = 1, r = 1, then F = G. Hence, universal gravitational constant may be defined as the force of
attraction between two bodies of unit masses separated by unit distance apart.
(ii) Units of G:
Gm1m 2
F=
r2
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 Fr 2
We have, F=
m1m2
Nm 2
In S.I. unit G = Nm 2 kg −2
kg kg
dyne cm 2
In C.G.S. unit G = dyne cm 2 g −2
g.g
(iii) Values of G :
In S.. System, G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2
In C.G.S. System, G = 6.67 × 10-8 dyne cm2 g-2

(b) Important Characteristics of Gravitational Force:

(i) Gravitational force between two bodies form an action and reaction pair i.e., the forces are equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction.
(ii) Gravitational force is a central force i.e., it acts along the line joining the centres of the two
interacting bodies.
(iii) Gravitational force between two bodies is independent of the nature of the intervening medium.
(iv) Gravitational force between two bodies does not depend upon the presence of other bodies.
(v) Gravitational force is negligible in case of light bodies but becomes appreciable in case of massive
bodies like stars and planets.
(vi) Gravitational force is a long-range force i.e., gravitational force between two bodies is effective
even if their distance of separation is very large. For example, gravitational force between the sun
and the earth is of the order of 1022 N, although distance between them is 1.5 × 108 km.
(vii) Gravitational force is a conservative force.
(viii) Distances are always measured from the centre of the bodies.
(ix) The gravitational force is always an attractive force.

(c) Experimental Support for the Law of Gravitation:

(i) All the planets including the earth rotate around the sun due to gravitational force between the sun
and the planet.
(ii) Tides are formed in oceans due to gravitational force between the moon and the earth.
(iii) It is the gravitational force between the planet and its satellite which makes the satellite to move
around the planet.
(iv) The atmosphere of the earth is due to the gravitational force of the earth.

(d) Newton’s third law of motion and gravitation:

Newton’s third law of motion says that: If an object exerts a force on another object, then the second
object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object. The Newton’s third law of motion also
holds good for the force of gravitation. This means that when earth exerts a force of attraction on an
object, then the object also exerts force on the earth in the opposite direction. Thus, even a falling object
attracts the earth towards itself. When an object, say a stone, is dropped from a height, it gets
accelerated and falls towards the earth and we say that the stone comes down due to the gravitational
force of attraction exerted by the earth. Now, the stone also exerts an equal and opposite force on the
earth, then why don’t we see the earth rising up towards the stone.
From Newton’s second law of motion, we know that:
Force = Mass × Acceleration
Force
So, Acceleration =
Mass

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 F
or a=
M
It is clear from this formula that the acceleration produced in a body is inversely proportional to the
mass of the body. Now, the mass of a stone is very small, due to which the gravitational force produces
a large acceleration in it. Due to large acceleration of stone, we can see the stone falling towards the
earth. The mass of earth is, however, very very large. Due to the very large mass of the earth, the same
gravitational force produces very very small acceleration in the earth. Actually, the acceleration
produced in the earth is so small that it cannot be observed. And hence we do not see the earth rising up
towards the stone.

(e) Estimation of Gravitational Force Between Different Objects:

(i) Between Sun and Earth:
Mass of earth, m1 = 6 × 1024 kg
Mass of the sun, m2 = 2 × 1030 kg
Distance between the sun and the earth,
r = 1.5 × 1011 m
Gravitational force between the sun and the earth,
Gm1m 2
F=
r2
6.67  10 –11 Nm2 kg −2  6  1024 kg  2  1030 kg
F=  F = 3.6  1022 N
(1.5  10 m)
11 2

The gravitational force between the sun and the earth is very large (i.e. 3.6 × 10 22 N). This force
keeps the earth bound to the sun.
(ii) Between Moon and Earth:
Mass of the earth, m1 = 6 × 1024 kg
Mass of the moon, m2 = 7.4 × 1022 kg
Distance between the earth and the moon, r = 3.8 × 108 m
 Gravitational force between the earth and the moon,
Gm1m 2
F=
r2
6.67  10−11 Nm2 kg −2  6  1024 kg  7.4 1022 kg
F=  F = 2.05  1020 N
(3.8  108 m)2
This large gravitational force keeps the moon to move around the earth. This large gravitational force is
also responsible for the ocean tides.

(f) Force of gravitation of the earth (gravity):

Gravitation and gravity:
Attraction between two bodies having mass of same order is called gravitation and the force is called
gravitational force. Forces involved are very small and the attracting bodies do not move towards each
other.
Attraction between a planet (earth) or its satellite and a body, having masses of widely different order is
called gravity and the force is called force of gravity. Forces involved are large and body moves
towards the planet.
Thus, gravity becomes a special case of gravitation in which small bodies move towards huge planets.
Then force of gravity,
GMm
F= 2
r
Here M represents the mass of earth and m represents the mass of a body.
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Solved Examples

Example.1 Two persons having mass 50 kg each, are standing such that the centre of gravity are 1 m apart.
Calculate the force of gravitation and also calculate the force of gravity on each.
(Take G = 6.67 × 10–11 N.m2 kg–2, mass of earth M = 6 × 1024 kg, radius of earth R = 6.4 × 106 m)
Solution. Given: m1 = m2 = 50 kg
r = 1 m, G = 6.67 × 10–11 N.m2 / kg2
Gm1m 2 6.67  10−11  50  50
Force of gravitation, F =  F= = 1.67  10−7 N
r2 (1)2
Force of gravity,
GMm
F' = Here r = R, radius of the earth and m1 = M = mass of earth, m2 = m = mass of object
r2
6.67  10−11  6  1024  50
F' =
(6.4  106 ) 2
F’ is much greater than F so the persons will not move towards each other but each of them
moves towards the earth.

Example.2 Two bodies A and B having mass m and 2m respectively are kept at a distance d apart. Where
should a small particle be placed so that the net gravitational force on it due to the bodies A and
B is zero?
Solution. It is clear that the particle must be placed on the line AB, suppose it is at a distance x from A.
Let its mass is m’.
The force on m’ due to A,
Gmm '
F1 = towards A and that due to B is -
x2
G(2m)m'
F2 = towards B
(d − x)2
The net force will be zero if F1 = F2
Gmm' G(2m)m'
Thus, = or (d – x)2 = 2x2
x 2
(d − x) 2

d d
d−x = 2 x ; d = (1  2) x  x= or x=
(1 + 2) (1 − 2)
d
As x cannot be negative So, x =
(1 + 2)
Example.3 Force between two masses is 5 N if their masses become doubled and distance between them is
halved, then find new force.
Gm1m 2
Solution. Initial force, F = = 5N
r2
G2m1  2m2
Final force, F =
(r / 2)2
Gm1m 2
F' = 16   F' = 16F = 16  5
r2
F' = 80N

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Example.4 Find the gravitational force between two protons kept at a separation of 1 femtometre
(1 femtometre = 10 –15 m and mass of a proton is 1.67  10 27 kg)
Solution. The gravitational force between the two protons is
 − m 


   
 (− kg )
Gm 1m2  kg 
F= = − 
 1.86  10−34 N
r 2
( m )
Example.5 Two bodies of masses 1 kg and 2 kg respectively are placed at a separation of 1 m. Find the
accelerations of the bodies assuming that only gravitation forces act.
Solution. The force of gravitation is
 −11 Nm 
2

 6.67 10   (1kg)  (2kg)

Gm1m2  kg 2 
F= =
r2 (1m)2
= 1.33  10– 10 N

Check Point - A

1. Consider two bodies A and B. The body B is heavier than A. Which of them is attracted with a greater
force by the earth? Which will fall with a greater acceleration?
2. Why Newton’s law of gravitation is called a universal law?
3. You know that the earth attracts you in the vertically downward direction. Do you attract the earth as
well? If yes, in which direction?
4. State the Newton’s law of gravitation.
5. If the force between two objects is F then find the new value of force when the distance between two
objects is doubled. (Ans. F/4)
6. Calculate the gravitational force between a 10 kg ball and a 20 kg ball placed at a separation of 5 m.
(Ans. 5.33×10-10 N)
7. Two particles of mass 200 g each are placed at a separation of 10 cm. Assume that the only forces
acting on them are due to their gravitational attraction. Find the acceleration of each when they are
allowed to move. (Ans. 1.33 10–9m/sec2)
8. Two bodies one of which is twice as massive as the other are 2 m apart. They attract each other with a
force of 0.1 mg wt. Find their masses. (Ans 1.7  102 kg & 3.4  102 kg)
9. Calculate the force of gravity between the earth (mass is 6  1024 kg) and the sun (mass is 2  1030 kg).
The average distance between the two is 1.5  1011 m. Compare this with force of gravity between two
100 kg masses separated by a distance of 1 km. (Ans. 5.3×1034 N)
10. Two persons weighing 50 kg and 60 kg are seated across a table. If they are one metre apart, then find
the gravitational force between them. (Ans. 2  10– 7 N)

B. BODIES FALLING NEAR THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

(a) Galileo’s Observations on Falling Bodies:

The speed of falling body increases as it comes down. This means that the body accelerates, when it
falls freely. Suppose we drop a coin and a feather from the same height simultaneously. Which will
reach the ground first? The answer is obvious, the coin will reach earlier than lighter feather or we can
say that the heavier objects comes down faster than lighter ones but such a generalization is not correct.

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 If we take two solid balls of different masses, say, one of 1 kg and the other of 2 kg, and drop them
from the same height, we will find that they reach the ground almost simultaneously.
It is said that Galileo dropped two stones of different masses from the Leaning Tower of Pisa (in Italy)
and founded that they reached the ground simultaneously. Galileo argued that the air resist an object
travelling through it. If the material is dense and its surface area is small, the resistance due to air is
quite small compared to the force of gravity. Thus one can neglect the effect of air resistance while
studying falling stones, metallic blocks, coins etc. But the effect of air resistance is very important for
small pieces of paper, feathers, leaves etc. each of which has a large surface area and low density.
When a coin and a feather fall through air, air offers greater resistance to the motion of the feather and
less resistance to the motion of the coin. According to Galileo’s argument, if air is totally removed, the
coin and the feather will fall simultaneously.
Newton was born in the year Galileo died. Galileo did not have access to the equations for gravitational
attraction and the acceleration resulting from a force. Still, he correctly predicted something from his
observations that was contrary to everyday experience.
Galileo’s prediction was tested by the British scientist Robert Boyle. He kept a coin and a feather in a
long glass tube and evacuated the air from inside the tube by using a vacuum pump. When the tube was
inverted, the coin and the feather fell together.

(b) Acceleration due to Gravity:

If we drop a ball from a height, its speed increases as time passes. If we throw a ball upwards, its speed
decreases till it reaches the highest point. When we throw the ball at an angle to the vertical, its
direction of motion changes. In all these cases, the velocity of the ball changes, i.e., the ball is
accelerated, whenever an object moves near the surface of the earth with no other object pushing or
pulling it, it is accelerated.
This acceleration is caused due to the force of gravity and is called the acceleration due to gravity.
Consider an object of mass m moving freely near the earth’s surface. Neglecting air resistance, the only
force on it, is due to gravity. This force has magnitude:
GMe m
F− ……(i)
R e2
where Me = mass of the earth, m = mass of the object, and Re = radius of the earth.
The earth’s radius Re (6400 km) is large as compared to distance of the object from the earth’s surface.
We use Re in Equation (i) to denote the distance of the object from the centre of the earth. As the force
given by equation (i), is the resultant force on the object, its acceleration is
F GM
a = = 2e
m Re
Note that this acceleration does not depend on the mass of the object. Thus we have the following:
If gravity is the only acting force (meaning that air resistance is neglected), then all objects move with
the same acceleration near the earth’s surface. This acceleration is called the acceleration due to gravity,
whose magnitude ‘g’ is given by
GM e
g=
R e2
 −11 Nm 
2

 6.67  10 2 
 (6  1024 kg)
g= 
kg
= 9.8ms −2
(6.4  106 m) 2
The direction of this acceleration is towards the centre of the earth, i.e, in the vertically downward
direction.
The acceleration has the same value, both in magnitude (9.8 m/s2) and direction (towards center of
earth), whether the particle falls, moves up or moves at some angle with the vertical. In all these cases,
we say that the particle moves freely under gravity.

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(c) Value of ‘g’ on the Surface of the Moon:
GM
g= , where M is the mass of a heavenly body like earth and R is its radius. As all heavenly bodies
R2
(like planets, the sun and the moon) are of different masses and different radii, so the value of g is
different on different heavenly bodies.
GMm
We know, g moon = ........... (i)
R 2m
Mm (mass of the moon) = 7.4 × 1022 kg
Rm (radius of the moon) = 1.75 × 106 m
G = 6.673 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2
6.673  10−11 Nm2 kg −2  7.47  1022 kg
Then, from equation (i), gmoon =
(1.75  106 m) 2
gmoon = 1.63 ms-2
g moon 1.63ms −2 1 1
Now, = −2
= or g moon = g earth
g earth 9.8ms 6 6
1
Thus acceleration due to gravity on the surface of moon is times the acceleration due to gravity on
6
the surface of the earth.

(d) Mass of earth and mean density of earth:

(i) Mass of the Earth: The mass of the earth can be calculated by using Newton’s law of gravitation.
Consider a body of mass m lying on the surface of the earth and then force of gravity acting on the body
is given by
GMm
F= …….(i)
R2
where, M = mass of the earth
R = radius of the earth
Also, F = mg ............(ii)
GMm gR 2
From (i) and (ii), we have mg = or M =
R2 G
-2 6
Now g = 9.8 ms , R = 6400 km = 6.4 × 10 m
G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2
9.8  (6.4  106 ) 2
M= = 5.98  1024 kg
6.67  10−11
Thus, the order of the mass of earth is 1025 kg.
(ii) Mean Density of Earth:
GM
We know, g =
R2
Let  be the mean density of the earth. Since earth is assumed to be a homogeneous sphere of radius R,
therefore, mass of the earth is given by
4
M = Volume × density = R 3
3
Substituting this value in equation (i), we get
G 4 4
g = 2  R 3 = GR
R 3 3

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 3g
 =
4GR
Since, g = 9.8 ms-2;
G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2, R = 6400 km = 6.4 × 106 m
3  9.8
 = or  = 5478.4kgm−3
4  3.142  6.67  10−11  6.4  6
Density of earth 5478.4 kg m−3
= 5.5
Density of water 1000 kg m −3
Thus, density of earth is about 5.5 times the density of water.

(e) Variation in the value of 'g’:

The value of acceleration due to gravity (g) varies as we go above or below the surface of the earth. It
also varies from place to place on the surface of the earth.
(i) Variation of ‘g’ with Altitude: Consider earth to be a sphere of radius R and Mass M. The
acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth (point Q in the figure) is
GM
g= 2 …….(i)
R
Consider a point P at a height h above the surface of the earth.
The acceleration due to gravity at point P is
GM
gh = ……..(ii)
(R + h)
2

Dividing equation (ii) by equation (i), we have

gh R2 R2
= =
g (R + h)2  h
2
R 2 1 + 
 R 
g
gh = 2
…….. (iii)
 h
1 + 
 R
Therefore, gh < g. Thus as we go above the surface of earth, acceleration due to gravity goes on
decreasing. Equation (iii) can be written as
−2
g  h
gh = = g 1 + 
 R
2
 h
1 + 
 R
 2h h
g h = g 1 − + Terms containing higher powers of 
 R R
If h is small compared to R, higher powers of h/R can be neglected.
 2h 
 g h = g 1 − ……..(iv)
 R 
Equation (iv) may be used when h is small as compared to R. However, if h is comparable to R, then
equation (iii) may be used. Note that acceleration due to gravity is maximum at the surface of the earth.
For example, at a height equal to the radius of the earth (i.e, h = R = 6400 km), we have
g g
gh = 2
=
 R 4
1 + R 
 

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NOTE:
We can calculate the percentage decrease in the value of g with height h as under :
From equation (iv), we have
 2h 
g h = g 1 −
 R 
2hg
or g−g =
h R
g − g h 2h
or = ..... fractional decrease in g
g R
 Percentage decrease in the value of g with height h is
g − gh 2h
%= 100
g R

(ii) Variation of g with depth: Consider the earth to be a sphere of radius R and mass M. The acceleration
due to gravity at point Q on the surface of the earth is,
GM
g=
R2
If  is the density of the earth,
4
Then, mass of earth, M = R 3
3
4 3 
 3 R   G
 g= 
R2
4
or g = RG ……….(v)
3
Consider a point P which is inside the earth and at a depth d below the surface of the earth. Its distance
from the centre O is (R – d). Let a sphere be drawn with O as centre and (R – d) as radius. The
acceleration due to gravity gd at P is only due to the sphere of radius (R – d).
GM'
 gd =
(R − d)2
where M = Mass of inner solid sphere (shaded portion)
4
M' = (R − d)3 
3
4 3
 3 (R − d)  G
 gd =
(R − d) 2
4
or gd = (R − d)G ……….(vi)
3
Dividing equation (vi) by equation (v), we have
gd R − d
=
g R
 d
or g d = g 1 −  ……….(vii)
 R

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 Therefore gd < g. Thus as we go below the surface of the earth, the acceleration due to gravity goes
on decreasing and becomes zero at the centre of the earth (where d = R). Figure shows the variation
of gd and gh as a function of r, where r is the distance from the centre of the earth.
1
Outside the earth, g h  2
r

For points outside the earth gh 1/r2. The maximum value of gravitational acceleration is obtained
at the surface of earth where, r = R.
Inside the earth, gd  r
Thus inside the earth gd  r. In other words, inside the earth (assuming uniform earth density), gd
varies linearly with the distance from the centre of the earth. It is easy to see that the value of g is
maximum at the surface of the earth and it is zero at the centre of the earth. That is why the weight
of the body at the centre of the earth is zero though its mass is constant.
NOTE:
We can calculate the percentage decrease in the value of g with depth h inside the earth as under:
From eq. (vii), we have
 d
g d = g 1 − 
 R 
dg
or g − gd =
R
g − gd d
or = ......... fractional decrease in g
g R
 Percentage decrease in the value of g with depth d inside the earth is
g − gd d
% =  100
g R
(iii) Variation of g with Latitude:
The value of acceleration due to gravity (g) changes due to the change in latitude. This is due to two
reasons:
(i) shape of the earth and (ii) rotation of the earth about its own axis.
The latitude at a place on the surface of earth is defined as the angle which the line joining the place
to the centre of the earth makes with the equatorial plane. It is denoted by . Thus referring to
figure the latitude at place P = POE = . It is clear that  = 900 at poles and  = 00 at the equator.

(I) Shape of the earth:

The earth is not a perfect sphere. It flattens at the poles (where  = 900) and bulges out at the
equator (where  = 00). Its equatorial radius RE is nearly 21 km larger than the polar radius RP. We
know that the value of g depends upon the radius (R) of the earth.
GM
g= 2
R
Since G and M are constant g  1/R2.
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 Thus the value of g at a place on the surface of earth varies inversely as the square of the radius of
earth at that place. The radius of earth is least at the poles and greatest at the equator.

g at poles –
GM
gP = ……. (i)
R 2P
and g at equator –
GM
gE = ………(ii)
R 2E
On dividing equation (i) by equation (ii)
2
gP  R E 
= 
gE  R P 

 RE > RP
So, gP > gE
(iv) Rotation of earth:
gA = gP – R2 cos2
(Here  is angular speed of earth)
If object is at equatorial line than gA = gE and  = 0º i.e. gE = gP – 2R

(f) Difference between ‘g’ and ‘G:

Acceleration due to gravity (g) Universal gravitational constant (G)
1. The acceleration produced in a body 1. The gravitational force between two
falling freely under the action of bodies of unit masses separated by a
gravitational pull of the earth is unit distance is known as universal
known as acceleration due to gravity. gravitational constant.
2. The value of ‘g’ is different at 2. The value of ‘G’ is same at every point
different points on the earth. on the earth.
3. The value of ‘g’ decreases as we go 3. The value of ‘G’ does not change with
higher from the surface of the earth or height and depth from the surface of
as we go deep into the earth. the earth.
4. The value of ‘g’ at the centre of the 4. The value of ‘G’ is not zero at the
earth is zero. centre of the earth or anywhere else.
5. The value of ‘g’ is different on the 5. The value of ‘G’ is same throughout
surfaces of different heavenly bodies the universe.
like the sun, moon, the planets.
6. The value of ‘g’ on the surface of the 6. The value of G is 6.67×10–11 Nm2kg-1
earth is 9.8 ms–2 throughout the universe.

H1 – 226 R, Indraprastha Industrial Area (IPIA), Road No. 5, Kota (Raj.) 93

Solved Examples

Example.6 ge and gp denote the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth and another planet
whose mass and radius are twice that of the earth. Then find the relation between acceleration
due to gravity on the surface of the earth and that of planet.
Solution. Mp = 2 Me
Rp = 2Re
GM
Acceleration due to gravity is given by g = 2
R
GM P
For planet: g P = …...…. (i)
R 2P
GMe
For Earth: ge = ………(ii)
R e2
On dividing equation (1) by (2)
gp 2M e R e2
= 
g e (2 R e ) 2 M e
gp 2 R e2
=
ge 4 R e2
gp 1
=
ge 2
ge = 2gp

1
Example.7 The mass of the red planet is 0.1 times of the earth and its radius is that of the earth. Compare the
2
acceleration due to gravity on the planet’s surface to that on the surface of the earth.

Solution.

GM e
2
ge R e2  Me   R P 
= =  
g P GM P  M P  R e 
R 2P
ge Me 4
=  2
g p 0.1M e R e
ge : gP = 10 : 4 = 5 : 2

Example.8 How much faster does a body fall on Jupiter considering that Jupiter is 300 times heavier than
earth and 10 times bigger than earth?
Solution. MP = 300 Me,
RP = 10 Re
2
 M  R 
g P = g e  P  e 
 Me   R P 
2
 300M e  R e 
gp = ge   
 M e  10 R e 
gP = 3ge .........(i)
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 1
s = 0 + ge t e2
2
1
s = gp t p2
2
tP ge 1 1
 = =  tP = te
te gP 3 3

Example.9 A particle is taken to a height of 2Re above the earth’s surface, where Re is the radius of the
earth. If it is dropped from this height, what would be its acceleration?
Solution. The acceleration due to gravity at height H above the surface of the earth is
2
 Re 
g' = g 
 Re + H 
Here H = 2Re
Thus,
2
 R  g
g' = g e  =
 3R e  9
9.8m / s 2
=  1.1m / s 2
9

Check Point - B

1. Write the units of G and g.

2. Explain why one can jump higher on the moon than on the earth?
3. Explain why a body weighs more at the poles than at the equator of earth?
4. Two stones of masses 1 kg and 5 kg are released from the top of Qutub-minar. Which stone will reach
the ground first, if air resistance is not negligible then?
5. Calculate the value of g at an altitude equal to the radius of earth.
6. Calculate the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon if the mass of the moon is
7.361022 kg and radius is 1740 km. What will be the weight of a body of mass 10 kg on the moon?
Assume the value of G (6.67  10– 11 Nm2/ kg2). (Ans. g = 1.622 m s–2, W = 16.22 N)
7. Acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth is 9.8 m s–2. Find its value.(given Re=6400 km)
(a) at a depth of 2000 km (b) at a height of 500 km
(Ans. (a) g/ = 6.72 m s–2, (b) g/ = 8.26 m s–2)
8. Calculate the value of the acceleration due to gravity at a place 3200 km above the surface of the earth.
(Ans. 4.36 m/s2)
9. The acceleration due to gravity at a place is 0.2 m/s2. Find its height above the earth’s surface.
(Ans. 6Re = 38,400 km)
10. Compare the acceleration due to gravity at a height of 16 km above the surface of the earth to that at 32
gh 1
km below the surface of the earth, given the radius of the earth is 6400 km. (Ans. = )
gd 1

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C. MASS, WEIGHT & KEPLER’S LAW

(a) Mass:
(i) Definition: Quantity of matter possessed by a body, is called the mass of the body. It is represented
by the symbol m. It is a scalar quantity.
(ii) Nature: A body with more mass needs a greater effort (force) to move it from rest or stopping it
from motion. The body exhibits inertia. Thus, mass offers inertia. This mass is called inertial mass
(mi). A body never has a zero mass.
(iii) Measurement of mass: Mass of a body is measured by a beam balance by comparing the mass
with bodies of known mass. At one place, bodies of same mass have same pull of gravity on them.
A beam balance works on the principle of moments (Bodies of equal masses, having equal weights,
have equal and opposite moments about fulcrum of the balance, when suspended at equal distances
from the fulcrum, and make the beam horizontal).

(b) Weight:
(i) Definition: The force with which a body is attracted towards the centre of the earth, is called the
weight of the body. It is represented by the symbol W.
It is a vector quantity having direction towards the centre of the earth. Its unit is Newton (N).
(ii) Expression for weight:
If mass of a body = m
Acceleration due to gravity of the earth = g
Then from relation,
Force = Mass × Acceleration i.e., W = mg
This is the required expression.
(iii) Nature: As W = mg, the weight of a body will vary from place to place due to variation in value of
g. A body has zero weight at the centre of the earth (where g = 0).
(iv) Measurement of weight: Weight of a body is measured by a spring balance.

(c) Difference between Mass and Weight:

Mass Weight
1. Mass is quantity of matter possessed by 1. Weight is the force with which a body is
a body. attracted towards the centre of the earth.
2. It is a scalar quantity. 2. It is a vector quantity.
3. Its S.I unit is kilogram (kg). 3. Its S.I. unit is newton (N).
4. Mass of a body remains constant at all 4. Weight of the body changes from places
places. to place.
5. Mass of a body is never zero. 5. Weight of a body becomes zero at the
centre of the earth.
6. Mass is measured by a beam balance. 6. Weight is measured by spring balance.

(d) Weight of object on Moon:

A body of mass m has weight, W = mg
For calculation
For earth, ge = 9.8 ms-2
For moon gm = 1.7 ms-2
Hence,
For earth, We = mge

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 For moon Wm = mgm
Wm mg m g m 1.7 1
Ratio = = = 
We mg e g e 9.8 6
1
i.e. Weight on moon = th weight on earth
6
kg.wt. is a unit of force:
From relation, W = mg
If m = 1 kg W = 9.8 N
Hence 1 kg body has a weight of 9.8 N.
It means that 9.8 N becomes equal to a force of 1 kilogram weight (kg.wt.).

(e) Variation in the weight of a body:

Weight of the body is given by,
W = mg
So the weight of a body depends upon (i) the mass of the body and (ii) value of acceleration due to
gravity (g) at a place.
The mass of a body remains the same throughout the universe, but as the value of ‘g’ is different at
different places. Hence, the weight of a body is different at different places.
(i) The value of ‘g’ is more at poles and less at the equator. Therefore, weight of a body is more at the
poles and less at the equator. In other words, a body weighs more at the poles and less at the
equator.
(ii) The value of ‘g’ on the surface of different planets of the solar system is different; therefore, the
weight of a body is different on different planets.
(iii) The value of ‘g’ decreases with height from the surface of the earth. Therefore, the weight of a
body also decreases with height from the surface of the earth. That is why; the weight of a man is
less on the peak of Mount Everest than the weight of the man at Delhi.
(iv) The value of ‘g’ decreases with depth from the surface of the earth. Therefore, the weight of a body
decreases with depth from the surface of the earth.
(v) The value of ‘g’ at the centre of the earth is zero, hence weight (= mg) of the body is zero at the
centre of the earth.

(f) Weightlessness:
(i) Introduction:
When a man stands on weighing machine at rest, his weight compresses its spring downwards. Due
to upward reaction, the pointer of the machine moves over the scale and the machine records the
weight of the man.
But when the same machine starts falling down freely, there is no reaction and the pointer stays at
zero recording a zero weight.
The man falling freely under the action of gravity has become weightless.
Definition: Weightlessness may be defined as the state in which a body loses its weight due to free
fall.
(ii) Demonstration: Let a stone piece be suspended from a spring balance suspended by a hand finger.
The balance shows the actual weight of the stone.
When the balance is released from hand finger, the balance falls freely with the hanging stone
piece. The balance shows a zero reading. This proves that the freely falling stone is weightless.
(I) The spring balance shows the weight of the stone.
(II) Freely falling spring balance with the stone showing a zero reading.

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 (iii) Weightlessness of an Astronaut in a Satellite (Space Ship):
A satellite is a freely falling body orbiting round the earth. It tries to reach the earth but its path
being parallel to earth’s surface. It does not reach the earth. Hence the satellite and all the bodies
inside it become weightless.
It is due to this situation of weightlessness of astronauts that they are shown floating in spaceship in
films on television.
(iv) Weightlessness in satellite: The body feels its weight due to the reaction force and is acted upon
by other bodies kept in its contact.
If the force of reaction acting on the body becomes zero the weight of the body is not experienced.
This is called the state of weightlessness.
A man in a satellite is in a state of weightlessness, because the total gravitational force acting on the
satellite acts as the centripetal force necessary to revolves the satellite, so that the force of reaction
on each body is zero and the body is in state of weightlessness.

(g) Kepler’s laws of planetary motion:

Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. These are
(i) The law of orbits: All planets move in elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus.

(ii) The law of areal velocity: A line that connects a planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal
time i.e., the areal velocity of the planet is always constant.

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 (iii) The law of periods: The square of the period of revolution of any planet is proportional to the cube
of the semi-major axis of the orbit, i.e., T2  r3.
Newton showed that these empirical laws followed from his law of gravitation. These laws are
found to hold equally well for satellites either natural or artificial orbiting around a planet [Earth or
any other massive central body].

(h) Motion under gravity (uniformly accelerated motion)

The acceleration with which a body travels under gravity is called acceleration due to gravity ‘g’. Its
value is 9.8 m/s2 ( or  10 m /s2 ). If you have to take g = 10 m/s2 then it must be mentioned in the
question otherwise take g = 9.8 m/s2.
(i) If a body moves upwards (or thrown up) g is taken negative (i.e. motion is against gravitation of
earth).
So equations of motion become
1
v = u – gt, s = u t – gt2, v2 = u2– 2gh
2
(ii) If a body travels downwards (towards earth) then g is taken positive. So equations of motion
become
1
v = u + gt, s = ut + gt2, v2 = u2 + 2gh
2
(iii) If a body is projected vertically upwards with certain velocity then it returns to the same point of
projection with the same velocity in the opposite direction.
(iv) The time for upward motion is the same as for the downward motion.

Solved Examples

Example.10 The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is one sixth that on the earth. A high jumper can
jump 2 m on earth. What distance can he jump on the moon?
Solution. Let me & mn are the mass of a body on the earth and the moon respectively. he and hm are the
height of jumper achieved respectively.
mge he = mgm hm
g
hm = e  he
gm
ge
hm =  he
gm
6
hm = 6  2 = 12 m

Example.11 The weight of a body is 180 N on the earth. If it is taken to the moon then find its weight and
mass. (Take gearth = 10 m/s2)
1 1
Solution. Weight of a body at the moon will be th of the weight at the earth Wm = We
6 6
1
We =  180 = 30N
6
but mass remains the same.
We = mg
 180 = m 10

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 180
m = = 18 kg
10
Example.12 The time period of a satellite revolving in a circular orbit of radius r is T. Then find time period
of another satellite revolving in the circular orbit of radius 4r.
Solution. As T2  r3
3/2
T r
3/2 3
T  r  T 1 1
=   =  = =  T1 = 8T
T1  r1  T1  4r  T1  2  8

Example.13 The distances of Neptune and Saturn from sun are nearly 1013 and 1012 meters respectively.
Assuming that they move in circular orbits then find the ratio of their time periods.
3/2 3/2
T  R1   1013 
Solution. =  =  12  = (1000)1/2 = 10 10
T1  R 2   10 

Example.14 The period of revolution of planet A around the sun is 8 times that of B. The distance of A from
the sun is how many times greater than that of B from the sun.
3/2 3/2
TA  rA  r 
Solution. =  8= A 
TB  rB   rB 
 rA = (8)2/3 rB = 4rB

Check Point - C

1. Can a body have zero weight even when it is in the earth’s gravitational field?
2. If your mass increases, does your weight also increase?
3. A body has a weight of 20 kg on the surface of the earth. What will be its weight when taken to the
centre of the earth?
4. The mass of an object is 90 kg. If the mass of Mars is one sixth the mass of the earth, what is the weight
of the object on mars?
5. What is the relation between the mass m and the weight W of a body? What are the differences between
the two?
6. The mass of a body is measured to be 12 kg on the earth. If it is taken to the moon, then find its mass.
7. The weight of a body is 120 N on the earth. If it is taken to the moon, then find its weight. (Ans. 20 N)
8. A spring balance can withstand a weight of 980 N on earth without getting deformed. What should be
the maximum mass of a body that can be weighed using this spring balance on moon? (Ans. 612.5kg)
9. A planet revolves around sun whose mean distance is 1.588 times the mean distance between earth and
sun then find the time period of revolution of the planet. (Ans. Tplanet = 2 year )
T
10. If the radius of earth's orbit is made 1/4, then find the duration of an year on earth. (Ans. )
8

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 BOARD LEVEL EXERCISE

TYPE (I): VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [01 MARK EACH]
1. How does the force of gravitation between two objects change when the distance between them is
reduced to half?

2. Gravitational force acts on all objects in proportion to their masses. Why then, a heavy object does not
fall faster than a light object?

3. What is the magnitude of the gravitational force between the earth and a 1 kg object on its surface?
(Mass of the earth is 6  1024 kg and radius of the earth is 6.4  106 m)

TYPE (II): SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [02 MARKS EACH]

4. The earth and the moon are attracted to each other by gravitational force. Does the earth attract the
moon with a force that is greater or smaller or the same as the force with which the moon attracts the
earth? Why?

5. If the moon attracts the earth, why does the earth not move towards the moon?

6. What happens to the force between two objects, if

(a) the mass of one object is doubled?
(b) the distance between the objects is doubled and tripled?
(c) the masses of both objects are doubled?

7. What is the importance of universal law of gravitation?

8. What is the acceleration of freely falling object?

TYPE (III): LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [04 MARKS EACH]

9. What do we call the gravitational force between the earth and an object?

10. Amit buys few grams of gold at the poles as per the instruction of one of his friends. He hands over the
same when he meets him at the equator. Will the friend agree with the weight of gold bought? If not,
why?

11. Why will a sheet of paper fall slower than one that is crumpled into a ball?

12. Gravitational force on the surface of the moon is only 1/6 as strong as gravitational force on the earth.
What is the weight in newtons of a 10 kg object on the moon and on the earth?

13. A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 49 m/s. Calculate

(a) the maximum height to which it rises,
(b) the total time it takes to return to the surface of the earth.

14. A stone is released from the top of a tower of height 19.6 m. Calculate its final velocity just before
touching the ground.

TYPE (IV): VERY LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [05 MARKS EACH]
15. A stone is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 40 m/s. Taking g = 10 m/s2, find the
maximum height reached by the stone. What are the net displacement and the total distance covered by
the stone?

H1 – 226 R, Indraprastha Industrial Area (IPIA), Road No. 5, Kota (Raj.) 101
16. A stone is allowed to fall from the top of a tower 100 m high and at the same time another stone is
projected vertically upwards from the ground with a velocity of 25 m/s. Calculate when and where the
two stones will meet.

17. A ball thrown up vertically returns to the thrower after 6 s. Find

(a) the velocity with which it was thrown up,
(b) the maximum height it reaches, and
(c) its position after 4 s.

EXERCISE – 01

SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
SECTION (A): NEWTON’S LAW OF GRAVITATION
A-1. What is the unit of gravitational constant?

A-2. Which force is responsible for the earth revolving round the sun?

A-3. What type of force is involved in the formation of tides in the sea?

A-4. Write mathematical expression for gravitational force between two bodies of masses m1 and m2
separated by a distance r. All quantities are in S.I. units.

A-5. State the universal law of gravitation.

A-6. Two masses 50 kg and 100 kg are separated by a distance of 10 m. What is the gravitational force of
Nm 2
attraction between them? G = 6.67  10−11
kg 2

A-7. State two applications of universal law of gravitation.

A-8. (a) Name the scientist who gave the universal law of gravitation.
(b) Define universal Gravitational constant.

A-9. Newton’s law of gravitation states that every object exerts a gravitational force of attraction on every
other object. If this is true, then why don’t we notice such forces, when the two objects in a room move
towards each other due to the force?

SECTION(B): BODIES FALLING NEAR THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

B-1. What is the value of g on the surface of moon?

B-2. What is average density of the earth?

B-3. What is mass of the earth?

B-4. What is unit of g in C.G.S. and S.I. system?

B-5. The earth’s gravitational force causes an acceleration of 5 ms-2 on a 1 kg mass somewhere in the space.
How much will be the acceleration of 3 kg mass at that place?

B-6. In what sense does the moon fall towards the earth? Why does not it actually fall on earth’s surface?

H1 – 226 R, Indraprastha Industrial Area (IPIA), Road No. 5, Kota (Raj.) 102
B-7. Using Newton’s universal law of gravitation and second law of motion, find the mathematical
expression for acceleration due to gravity on the surface of any planet.

B-8. Derive a relation for acceleration due to gravity. How its value vary with
(i) mass of the planet (ii) Size of the planet

SECTION (C): MASS, WEIGHT & KEPLER'S LAW

C-1. What is the S.I. unit of mass?

C-2. What is S.I. unit of weight?

C-3. How many newtons make 1 kg.wt.?

C-4. Name the device to measure weight.

C-5. Which is greater, the force of attraction of earth for 1 kg of tin or the force of attraction of earth for 1 kg
of lead?

C-6. The mass of the man on the surface of earth is 100 kg. Does the weight on the surface of moon increase
or decrease? Explain.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
SECTION (A): NEWTON’S LAW OF GRAVITATION
A-1. When an apple falls from a tree
(A) only earth attracts the apple (B) only apple attracts the earth
(C) both the earth and the apple attract each other (D) none attracts each other

A-2. Force of attraction between two bodies does not depend upon
(A) the shape of bodies (B) the distance between their centres
(C) the magnitude of their masses (D) the gravitational constant

A-3. When the medium between two bodies changes, force of gravitation between them
(A) will increase (B) will decrease
(C) will change according to the environment (D) remains same

A-4. S.I. unit of G is

(A) Nm2 kg-2 (B) Nm kg-2 (C) N kg2 M-2 (D) Nkg m-2

A-5. The value of universal gravitational constant

(A) changes with change of place (B) does not change from place to place
(C) becomes more at night (D) becomes more during the day

A-6. The value of G in S.I. unit is

(A) 6.67 × 10-9 (B) 6.67 × 10-10 (C) 6.67 × 10-11 (D) 6.67 × 10-12

A-7. The gravitational force between two bodies varies with distance r as
1 1
(A) (B) 2 (C) r (D) r2
r r
A-8. The value of G in year 1900 was 6.673 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2. The value of G in the year 2007 will be
(A) 6.673 × 10-9 Nm2 kg-2 (B) 6.673 × 10-10 Nm2 kg2
(C) 6.673 × 10-2 Nm2 kg-2 (D) 6.673 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2
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A-9. Value of G on surface of earth is 6.673 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2, then value of G on surface of Jupiter is
6.673
(A) 12 × 6.673 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2 (B)  10−11 Nm2 kg −2
12
6.673
(C) 6.673 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2 (D)  10−11 Nm2 kg −2
6

A-10. The earth attracts the moon with a gravitational force of 1020 N. Then the moon attracts the earth with a
gravitational force of
(A) 10-20 N (B) 102 N (C) 1020 N (D) 1010 N

A-11. Law of gravitation is applicable for

(A) heavy bodies only (B) medium sized bodies only
(C) small sized bodies only (D) bodies of any size

A-12. The universal law of gravitation was proposed by

(A) Copernicus (B) Newton (C) Galileo (D) Archimedes

A-13. Choose the correct statement.

(A) All bodies repel each other in the universe. (B) Our earth does not behave like a magnet.
(C) Acceleration due to gravity is 8.9 ms-2. (D) All bodies fall at the same rate in vacuum.

A-14. Gravitational force is a

(A) Short range force
(B) Long range force
(C) Medium range force
(D) Does not depend on distance between the two bodies

A-15. If initially the distance between two bodies is r and their masses are M1 and M2 then the force of
gravitation is F. If this distance is increased to two times then the force would become
F F
(A) (B) (C) 2 F (D) 4 F
2 4
A-16. If two bodies of mass M1 and M2 are placed a distance r apart they have a force of gravitation F
between them. If both of the masses are reduced to half then force of gravitation would be
F F
(A) (B) 2 F (C) (D) F
2 4

A-17. Force between two masses of 1 kg each, are separated by a distance 1 metre will be
(A) 6.67× 10–11 N (B) 9.8 N (C) 6.67× 10–8 N (D) 6.67× 10–12 N

A-18. The force acting on a ball due to earth has a magnitude Fb and that acting on the earth due to the ball
has a magnitude Fe, Then
(A) Fb = Fe (B) Fb > Fe (C) Fb < Fe (D) Fe = 0

A-19. The force of gravitation between two bodies does not depend on
(A) their separation (B) the product of their masses
(C) the sum of their masses (D) the gravitational constant

A-20. Order of magnitude of G in S.I. unit is

(A) 10-11 (B) 1011 (C) 10-7 (D) 107

H1 – 226 R, Indraprastha Industrial Area (IPIA), Road No. 5, Kota (Raj.) 104
A-21. The type of force which exists between charged bodies is
(A) only gravitational (B) neither gravitational nor electrical
(C) only electrical (D) both electrical and gravitational

SECTION(B): BODIES FALLING NEAR THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

B-1. The value of acceleration due to gravity (g) on earth’s surface is
(A) 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2 (B) 8.9 m/sec2
(C) 9.8 m/sec2 (D) none of these

B-2. The acceleration due to gravity

(A) has the same value everywhere in space (B) has the same value everywhere on the earth
(C) varies with the latitude on the earth (D) is greater on moon because it has smaller diameter

B-3. When a body is dropped from same height on surface of the earth and the moon. The ratio of time to
reach the ground will be
(A) 1 : 16 (B) 6 : 1 (C) 16 : 1 (D) 1 : 6

B-4. If planet existed whose mass and radius were both half of the earth, the acceleration due to gravity at
the surface would be
(A) 19.6 m/sec2 (B) 9.8 m/s2 (C) 4.9 ms-2 (D) 2.45 m/s2

B-5. A ball is thrown vertically upwards. The acceleration due to gravity

(A) is in the direction opposite to the direction of its motion
(B) is in the same direction as the direction of its motion
(C) increases as it comes down
(D) become zero at the highest point.

B-6. The acceleration due to gravity on the moon’s surface is

(A) approximately equal to that near the earth’s surface
(B) approximately six times that near the earth’s surface
(C) approximately one-sixth of that near the earth’s surface
(D) slightly greater than that near the earth’s surface

B-7. The ratio of the value of g on the surface of moon to that on the earth’s surface is
1 1
(A) 6 (B) 6 (C) (D)
6 6
B-8. The S.I. unit of g is
(A) m2/s (B) m/s2 (C) s/m2 (D) m/s

B-9. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2

(A) Much above the earth’s surface (B) Near the earth’s surface
(C) Deep inside the earth (D) At the centre of the earth

B-10. A particle is taken to a height R above the earth’s surface, where R is the radius of the earth. The
acceleration due to gravity there is
(A) 2.45 m/s2 (B) 4.9 m/s2 (C) 9.8 m/s2 (D) 19.6 m/s2

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B-11. When a body is thrown up, the force of gravity is
(A) in upward direction (B) in downward direction
(C) zero (D) in horizontal direction

B-12. The value of g at pole is

(A) greater than the value at the equator (B) less than the value at the equator
(C) equal to the value at the equator (D) none of these

B-13. Two bodies A and B of mass 500 g and 200 g respectively are dropped near the earth’s surface. Let the
acceleration of A and B be aA and aB respectively, then:
(A) aA = aB (B) aA > aB (C) aA < aB (D) aA  aB

B-14. Two iron and wooden balls identical in size are released from the same height in vacuum. The time
taken by them to reach the ground is
(A) not equal (B) exactly equal (C) regularly equal (D) zero

SECTION (C): MASS, WEIGHT & KEPLER'S LAW

C-1. Mass of an object is
(A) amount of matter present in the object (B) same as weight of an object
(C) measure of gravitational pull (D) none of these

C-2. The weight of an object is

(A) the quantity of matter it contains
(B) refers to its inertia
(C) same as its mass but is expressed in different units
(D) the force with which it is attracted towards the earth

C-3. Weight of an object depends on

(A) temperature of the place (B) atmosphere of the place
(C) mass of an object (D) none of these

C-4. The mass of body is measured to be 20 kg on the earth. Its mass on moon will be
(A) 20 kg (B) 6 kg (C) 2 kg (D) 72 kg

C-5. A heavy stone falls

(A) faster than a light stone (B) slower than a light stone
(C) with same acceleration as light stone (D) none of these

C-6. A stone is dropped from the roof of a building takes 4 s to reach the ground. The height of the building is
(A) 19.6 m (B) 39.2 m (C) 156.8 m (D) 78.4 m

C-7. A ball is thrown up and attains a maximum height of 19.6 m. Its initial speed was
(A) 9.8 ms-1 (B) 44.3 ms-1 (C) 19.6 ms-1 (D) 98 ms-1

C-8. A body is thrown up with a velocity of 20 m/s. The maximum height attained by it is approximately
(A) 80 m (B) 60 m (C) 40 m (D) 20 m

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C-9. The weight of a body is 120 N on the earth. If it is taken to the moon, its weight will be about
(A) 120 N (B) 60 N (C) 20 N (D) 720 N

C-10. The orbits of planets around the sun are

(A) circular (B) parabolic (C) elliptical (D) straight

EXERCISE – 02

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. The universal law of gravitation was postulated by
(A) Copernicus (B) Newton (C) Galileo (D) Archimedes'

2. Choose the correct statement.

(A) All bodies repel each other in this universe. (B) Our earth does not behave like a magnet.
(C) Acceleration due to gravity is 8.9 m/s2. (D) All bodies fall at the same rate in vacuum.

3. The force of gravitation exists

(A) everywhere in the universe (B) at the surface of the earth only
(C) inside the earth only (D) at the surface of the moon only

4. Which of the following forces is responsible for the flow of water in rivers?
(A) Force of friction (B) Gravitational force (C) Electrostatic force (D) Magnetic force

5. If the distance between two masses be doubled, then the force between them will become
(A) 1/4 times (B) 4 times (C) 1/2 times (D) 2 times

6. The value of G does not depend on

(A) nature of the interacting bodies (B) size of the interacting bodies
(C) mass of the interacting bodies (D) all the above

7. The ratio of SI unit to CGS unit of G is

(A) 103 (B) 102 (C) 10–2 (D) 10–3

8. A body falls freely from some height towards the earth with
(A) uniform speed (B) uniform velocity (C) uniform acceleration (D) none of these

9. 1 g wt is equal to
(A) 9.8 N (B) 980 N (C) 0.0098 N (D) 0.98 N

10. Acceleration due to gravity of a body which is thrown up is

(A) 9.8 ms–2 (B) –9.8 ms–2 (C) ± 9.8 ms–2 (D) zero

11. From the equator to the poles, the value of g

(A) decreases (B) increases
(C) remains unchanged (D) first decreases then increases

12. Where will a body weigh minimum?

(A) At a height of 100 m above the earth's surface
(B) At the earth's surface
(C) At a depth of 100 m below the earth's surface
(D) At the centre of the earth
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13. A body is weighed at the poles and then at the equator. The weight
(A) at the equator will be greater than at the poles
(B) at the poles will be greater than at the equator
(C) at the poles will be equal to the weight at the equator
(D) none of these

14. The units for G/g will be (symbols have their usual meanings)
kg
(A) m2/kg (B) kg/m (C) 2 (D) m/kg
m
15. Choose the correct statement.
(A) Gravity and gravitation are same.
(B) Gravity is a particular case of gravitation.
(C) Acceleration due to gravity is a scalar quantity.
(D) Different heavenly bodies have different values for G.

16. How much would a W kg man weigh on the moon in terms of gravitational units?
W
(A) kg wt (B) 6 W kg wt (C) W kg wt (D) zero
6

17. Pick up the correct relationship.

(A) G = Fd2 / M x m (B) G = g M / R2 (C) G = g (D) g = G d / M

18. The variation of g with height or depth (r) is shown correctly by the graph in figure (where R is radius
of the earth),

(A) (B) (C) (D)

19. The centripetal force is provided to the planet by the

(A) Force of repulsion between the planet and the Sun
(B) Force of attraction of the Sun
(C) Heat energy of the Sun
(D) Gravity of the planet

20. The distance of the centers of moon and the earth is D. The mass of the earth is 81 times the mass of the
moon. At what distance from the centre of the earth, the gravitational force will be zero?
D 2D 4D 9D
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 3 3 10
21. The three laws of planetary motion were given by
(A) Einstein (B) Kepler (C) Copernicus (D) Tycho Brahe

22. Gravitational force is inversely proportional to the Rn, then the orbital speed of a satellite of the planet,
near planet’s surface will be
GM GM GM (n − 1) GM
(A) (B) (C) (D)
R R n −1 (n − 1)R n −1 R n −1

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23. A planet of mass M and a single satellite of mass M/10 revolve in circular orbits about their stationary
center of mass, being held together by their gravitational attraction. The distance between their centers
is D. The period of this orbital motion is (ignore spin of planet and satellite)

D3 D3 9D3 10D3
(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) 2 (D) 2
Gm 11Gm 11Gm 11Gm

24. The time period of a satellite revolving in a circular orbit of radius R is T. Time period of another
satellite revolving in the circular orbit of radius 4R will be
1 1
(A) 4T (B) T (C) 8T (D) T
4 8
25. If a satellite is revolving near the earth's surface, then its orbital velocity does not depend upon
(A) the mass of the satellite (B) the radius of the earth
(C) the radius of the orbit (D) the mass of the earth

26. Two artificial satellites of masses m1 and m2 (m1 > m2) are revolving round the earth in circular orbits
of radii r1 and r2 (r1 > r2) respectively. Which of the following statements is true regarding their speed v1
and v2?
v1 v2
(A) v1 = v2 (B) v1  v2 (C) v1  v2 (D) =
r1 r2
27. The orbital speed of Jupiter is
(A) greater than the orbital speed of the earth (B) less than the orbital speed of the earth
(C) equal to the orbital speed of the earth (D) zero

28. The gravitational pull exerted by the earth on a body is called its
(A) true weight (B) mass (C) gravitational mass (D) inertial mass

29. A person stands on a weighing machine kept on the floor of an elevator. When the elevator is at rest,
then the apparent weight of the person is
(A) equal to its true weight (B) less than its true weight
(C) more than its true weight (D) more or less than its true weight

30. While orbiting around the earth in a spaceship, an astronaut experiences

(A) more weight (B) lesser weight (C) weightlessness (D) nothing at all

EXERCISE – 03

NTSE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. If the mass and radius of earth become half and one-fourth of its present values then the value of
acceleration due to gravity will become (Raj./ NTSE Stage-I/2007)
1 1
(A) g (B) g (C) 4 g (D) 8 g
8 4

2. The escape velocity on the earth is 11.2 km/s. A planet has twice the radius of earth and same mean
density as earth. Then the escape velocity on planet in km/s will be (Raj./ NTSE Stage-I/2006)
(A) 5.6 (B) 11.2 (C) 22.4 (D) 16.5
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3. Suppose universal gravitational constant starts to decrease, then (Haryana/ NTSE Stage-I/2014)
(A) length of the year will increases
(B) earth will follow a spiral path of decreasing radius
(C) kinetic energy will remain constant
(D) all of the above

4. Value of acceleration due to gravity of earth is maximum (Maharashtra/NTSE Stage-I/ 2014)

(A) At centre of earth (B) At surface of earth
(C) At a height of 50 km from earth’s surface (D) At a height of 12 km from earth’s surface

5. The gravitational force between two objects of mass 1 kg each, separated by a distance of 1 m in
vacuum will be (Raj./ NTSE Stage-I/2014)
–11
(A) zero (B) 6.675 × 10 N (C) 13.350 × 10 N (D) 3.337 × 10–11 N
–11

6. Relation between mass of body and its weight is (Madhya Pradesh/ NTSE Stage-I/2014)
(A) w = mg (B) w = m/g (C) g = m – w (D) w = m + g

7. Neglecting the rotation of the earth, if suddenly the attractive power of the earth drops to zero a man
standing on the earth will (Bihar/ NTSE Stage-I/2014)
(A) Fly up (B) slide along the surfaces
(C) move (D) stand unaffected

8. A planet of volume V and mass m has gravitational acceleration g on its surface. If it expands to 8 times
its original volume, what will be the acceleration due to gravity? (Bihar/ NTSE Stage-I/2014)
(A) 4g (B) 2g (C) g/4 (D) g/8

9. A planet has density P, radius R and acceleration due to gravity as g. If the radius of the planet were
doubled, keeping the density same, the acceleration due to gravity at the surface will be
(Jharkhand/ NTSE Stage-I/2015)
(A) 4g (B) 2g (C) g (D) g/2

10. The mass of an object is 10 kg on earth. So we can say (Chandigrah/ NTSE Stage-I/2015)
(A) Its weight on earth is 10 N. (B) Its weight on Earth is 1.67 N.
(C) Its weight on moon is 10 N. (D) Its mass on moon is 10 kg.

11. The weight of a body of mass 15 kg on moon is (Raj./ NTSE Stage-I/2017)

(A) 24.5 N (B) 2.45 N (C) 245 N (D) 0.245 N
12. Let M denotes the mass of earth and let R denotes its radius. The ratio g/G at earth's surface is
(Raj./ NTSE Stage-I/2018)
2 2
(A) R /M (B) M/R (C) M/R (D) R/M
13. The mass of earth is 80 times that of moon and its diameter is double that of moon. If the value of
acceleration due to gravity on earth is 9.8 m/s2, then the value of acceleration due to gravity on moon
will be (Delhi./ NTSE Stage-I/2017)
–2 –2
(A) 0.98 ms (B) 0.49 ms (C) 9.8 ms– 2 (D) 4.9 ms– 2

14. When a body is orbiting near the surface of the earth, what will be the ratio of its orbital velocity to the
escape velocity from earth? (West bengal./ NTSE Stage-I/2018)
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 2 : 1 (D) 1 : 2
15. The distance between two masses is to be halved. The gravitational force between them will be
(Rajasthan NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) double (B) one-fourth (C) quadruple (D) half
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16. Which statement is correct among the following for gravitational acceleration (g) due to earth?
(Rajasthan NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) The value of g is equal at poles and equatorial circle.
(B) The value of g is more at poles than at equatorial circle.
(C) The value of g is more at equatorial circle than at poles.
(D) None of these

17. What is mass of the moon? (Gujarat NTSE Stage-1/2018)

(A) 6 × 1024 kg (B) 7.4 × 1022 kg (C) 6 × 1022 kg (D) 7.4 × 1024 kg

18. Escape velocity of a particle from the earth is approximately

(Madhya Pradesh NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) 7 km/s (B) 1.1 km/s (C) 11.2 km/s (D) 112 km/s
19. When a satellite falls to an orbit of smaller radius its kinetic energy
(Madhya Pradesh NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) decrease (B) increase (C) remain same (D) none of these

20. Which is called Earth’s satellite? (Madhya Pradesh NTSE Stage-1/2018)

(A) moon (B) sun (C) venus (D) mars

21. An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit of radius 42250 km. If it takes 24 hours to revolve
around the earth then its speed will be.... (Chhattisgarh NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) 3·07 km/h (B) 3·07 km/s (C) 3·01 km/h (D) 3·01 km/s

22. The escape velocity from earth is 11 km/s. Then the escape velocity on other planet whose density is
same as of earth and radius is double of the radius of earth will be.....
(Chhattisgarh NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) 22 km/s (B) 5.5 km/s (C) 15.56 km/s (D) 11 km/s

23. The mass of a planet is twice and its radius is three times that of the earth. The weight of a body which
has a mass of 5 kg on that planet will be – (Delhi NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) 11.95 N (B) 10.88 N (C) 9.88 N (D) 20.99 N

24. Value of acceleration due to gravity on earth is maximum at ..........

(Maharashtra NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) poles (B) equator
(C) depth of 60 km below earth’s surface (D) height of 400 km above earth’s surface

25. How much time the satellite will take to complete one revolution around the earth, if velocity of
satellite is 3.14 km/s and its height above earth’s surface is 3600 km? (Radius of earth is 6400 km)
(Maharashtra NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) 2000 s (B) 20000 s (C) 1000 s (D) 10000 s

26. A planet in an orbit sweeps out an angle of 160º from March to May, When it is at an average distance
of 140 million km from Sun. If the planet sweeps out an angle of 10º from October - December, then
the average distance from sun is - (Maharashtra NTSE Stage-1/2018)
(A) 56 × 105 km (B) 56 × 106 km (C) 56 × 107 km (D) 56 × 108 km
27. Unit of universal gravitational constant is (Rajasthan/ NTSE Stage-1/2019)
(A) N-m2/kg (B) N-m2/kg2 (C) N-kg2/m2 (D) N-m/kg2

28. If the distance between two masses is doubled then the gravitational force between them will be
(Rajasthan/ NTSE Stage-1/2019)
(A) one-fourth (B) half (C) double (D) four times

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Answer Key

BOARD LEVEL EXERCISE

TYPE (I): VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. 4 times 3. 9.8 N

TYPE (II): SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

6. (a) Doubled (b) One fourth and One ninth (c) Four times

TYPE (III): LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

12. 16.3 N 13. (a) 122.5 m (b) 10 s 14. 19.6 m/s

TYPE (IV): VERY LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

15. H max = 80 m, Displacement = 0 and Distance = 160 m
16. 4 s and 20 m
17. (a) 29.1 m/s (b) 44.1 m (c) 39.2 m

EXERCISE – 01

SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
SECTION (A): NEWTON’S LAW OF GRAVITATION
A-6. 3.33 × 10–9 N

SECTION (B): BODIES FALLING NEAR THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

B-5. 5 ms–2 B-7. g = GM/R2

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
SECTION (A) : NEWTON’S LAW OF GRAVITATION

A-1 (C) A-2 (A) A-3 (D) A-4 (A) A-5 (B) A-6 (C) A-7 (B)

A-8 (D) A-9 (C) A-10 (C) A-11 (D) A-12 (B) A-13 (D) A-14 (B)

A-15 (B) A-16 (C) A-17 (A) A-18 (A) A-19 (C) A-20 (A) A-21 (D)

SECTION(B) : BODIES FALLING NEAR THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

B-1 (C) B-2 (C) B-3 (D) B-4 (A) B-5 (A) B-6 (C) B-7 (C)

B-8 (B) B-9 (B) B-10 (A) B-11 (B) B-12 (A) B-13 (A) B-14 (B)

SECTION (C) : MASS ,WEIGHT & KEPLER'S LAW

C-1 (A) C-2 (D) C-3 (C) C-4 (A) C-5 (C) C-6 (D) C-7 (C)

C-8 (D) C-9 (C) C-10 (C)

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 EXERCISE – 02

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
Ques. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. B D A B A D A C C B B D B A B A A A B D
Ques. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. B B D C A C A A A C

EXERCISE – 03

Ques. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. D C A B B A D C B D A B B A C B B C A B
Ques. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Ans. B A B A B C B A

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