GRAVITATION 1

EXERCISE – 1: BASIC OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Newtons Law of Gravitation 4. A mass M is divided into two parts xM and (1-x)M
For a given separation, the value of x for which the
1. The SI unit of gravitational constant G is
gravitational attraction between the two pieces
(a) Nm kg–2 (b) Nm2 kg–2
2 –1 becomes maximum is
(c) Nm kg (d) Nm kg–1
Ans. (b) 1 3
(a) (b)
2 5
Gm1 m 2 Fr 2
Sol. F  G  (c) 1 (d) 2
r2 m1m 2
Ans. (a)
 unit of G  Nm 2 kg -2 Sol. Let both parts xM and are at separation ‘r’
2. The value of gravitational constant G depends upon G(xM)(1  x)M
(a) the masses of the bodies F
r2
(b) the sizes of the bodies For F = maximum
(c) the separation of the bodies dF
(d) none of the above quantities 0
dx
Ans. (d)
Sol. G is universal constant, doesn’t depend on masses of  M
d  G(xM)(1-x) 2 
 
bodies, sizes of bodies or separation between bodies. r 
0
3. A rocket is fired from the earth to the moon. The dx
distance between the earth and the moon is r and the GM 2 d  x 1 – x  
 0
mass of the earth is 81 times the mass of the moon. r2 dx
The gravitational force on the rocket will be zero,
d  x-x 2 
when its distance from the moon is  0
dx
r r
(a) (b)  1  2x  0
20 15
1
r r x
(c) (d) 2
10 5
5. Weight of an object is:
Ans. (c)
(a) Normal reaction between ground and the object
Sol.
(b) Gravitational force exerted on the object
(c) Depends on frame of reference.
(d) Net force on the object
Ans. (b)
Sol. Weight of an object is the gravitational force exerted
Net force on rocket will be zero, where gravitational on the object.
fields due to earth and moon are equal and opposite 6. If the distance between two masses is doubled, the
gravitational attraction between them
G(81m) Gm
 2 (a) Is doubled (b) Becomes four times
(r-x)2 x
(c) Is reduced to half (d) Is reduced to a quarter
81 1 Ans. (d)
 
(r-x) 2 x 2 1 F
Sol. F  2 If r becomes double then F reduces to
9 1 r 4
 
r-x x 7. Two particles of equal mass m go round a circle R
 9x  r-x under the action of their mutual gravitational
 10x = r attraction. The speed of each particle is:-
r 1 1 Gm
x (a) v  (b) v 
10 2 R GM 2R
1 Gm 4Gm
(c) v  (d) v 
2 R R
Ans. (c)
GRAVITATION 2

Sol. Centripetal force provided by the gravitational force g '  g  1% of g

of attraction between two particles. Thus, g would increase by 1%
mv 2 Gm  m 1 Gm 10. The acceleration due to gravity on earth of radius Re
i.e.  v
 2R 
2
R 2 R is ge and that on moon of radius Rm is gm. The ratio
of the masses of the earth and the moon is given by
ge Re g e Re
(a) . (b) .
g m Rm g m Rm
g e Re2 g e2 Re
(c) . (d) .
g m Rm2 g m2 Rm
Ans. (c)
GM
Sol. g
Acceleration Due to Gravity R2
gR 2
8. The acceleration due to gravity g on earth is 9.8 ms-2. M  M  gR 2
G
What would the value of g for a planet whose size is
the same as that of earth but the density in twice that Me g R2
  e e2
of earth? Mm gm R m
(a) 19.6 ms-2 (b) 9.8 ms-2 11. Two planets of radii R1 and R2 are made from the
-2
(c) 4.9 ms (d) 2.45 ms-2 same material. The ratio of the accelerations due to
Ans. (a) gravity g1/g2 at the surfaces of the planets is
4  R R
G  πR 3  ρ (a) 1 (b) 2
GM  3  R2 R1
Sol. g 2 
R R2 2 2
R  R 
4  (c)  1  (d)  2 
 g   πGR  ρ  R2   R1 
3 
As G & R are constant Ans. (a)
gρ 4 
Sol. g   πGρ  R
g ρ ρ  3 
 2  2  g 2   2  g1  2g1  2  9.8ms 2 As G & ρ are constant
g1 ρ1  ρ1 
So, g  R
g 2  19.6ms 2
9. If both the mass and the radius of the earth decrease g1 R1
 
by 1%, the value of the acceleration due to gravity g2 R 2
will 12. Assuming that the earth is a sphere of radius R, at
(a) decrease by 1% (b) increase by 1% what altitude will the value of the acceleration due to
(c) increase by 2% (d) remain unchanged gravity be half its value at the surface of the earth?
Ans. (b) R R
(a) h  (b) h 
1 99 2 2
Sol. New mass (M    M- M= M
100
1
100
99
(c) h   2 1 R (d) h   
2 1 R
New radius  R   =R- R= R Ans. (d)
100 100
GM
GM' G  0.99M  GM Sol. g
g'= = =1.01 2 r2
 0.99R 
2 2
R' R
1
g 
 1  GM r2
g '  1   2
 100  R 2
g r 
1  1  2 
g' g g g 2  r1 
100
GRAVITATION 3

 Rh 
2
h
2
Sol. g  w 2R  0
2   1  
 R   R g 9.8
w  rad / s
h R 64  104
 2  1
R  3.9 103 rad / s
 h  ( 2  1) R  3
16. If a man at the equator would weigh   th of his
13. The height of the point vertically above the earth’s 5
surface at which the acceleration due to gravity actual weight, the angular speed of the earth is
becomes 1% of its value at the surface is (R is the
2 g g
radius of the earth) (a) (b)
5 R R
(a) 8 R (b) 9 R
(c) 10 R (d) 20 R R 2 R
(c) (d)
Ans. (b) g 5 g
2
g1  r2  Ans. (a)
Sol.   3g
g 2  r1  Sol. g  2R 
2
5
 R+h 
 100    2g
 R   
5R
Rh h
 10   1 17. Assuming earth to be a sphere of uniform density.
R R
What is the value of acceleration due to gravity at a
 h  9R
point 100 km below the earth’s surface?
14. The radius of the earth is about 6400 km and that of (given R = 6380 × 103m)
mars is about 3200 km. The mass of the earth is (a) 3.6 m/s2 (b) 6.6 m/s2
about 10 times the mass of mars. An object weighs (c) 7.66 m/s 2
(d) 9.65 m/s2
200 N on the surface of the earth. Its weight on the Ans. (d)
surface of mars would be Sol. Acceleration due to depth,
(a) 6 N (b) 20 N
 d
(c) 40 N (d) 80 N g d  g 1  
 R
Ans. (d)
GMm  100  103 
Sol. weight (w)  g d  g 1  3 
R2  6380  10 
M g d  9.8  0.984
w 2
R
g d  9.65 ms 2
2
w M M M  RE  18. Assertion: A tennis ball bounces higher on hills than
   
w E M E  RM  in plains.
2 Reason: Acceleration due to gravity on the hill is
wM 1  6400 
    greater than that on the surface of earth.
w E 10  3200 
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is
 w M  w E  0.4 the correct explanation of assertion.
 (200  0.4)N  80N (b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not
15. What must be the angular velocity of rotation of the the correct explanation of assertion.
earth so that the effective acceleration due to gravity (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
at the equator is zero? (d) Both assertion and reason are false.
The radius of the earth = 64 × 104 m. Ans. (c)
g Gm
[given:  0.39 ] Sol. g So, gravitational acceleration is
8  R  h
2

(a) 3.3 × 10-3 rad s-1 (b) 3.5 × 10-3 rad s-1
(c) 3.7 × 10-3 rad s-1 (d) 3.9 × 10-3 rad s-1 inversely proportional to  R  h  .
Ans. (d)
GRAVITATION 4

Hence acceleration due to gravity is lesser on hills At equator

compared to plains. Also, since gravity is low on   0
hills, height of bounce is also higher on hills. gr  g   2 R
19. What will be the formula of the mass in terms of g, R
If  increases then gr decreases.
and G? (R = radius of earth)
23. The speed of earth’s rotation about its axis is . Its
R R2 speed is increased to x times to make the effective
(a) g 2 (b) G
G g acceleration due to gravity equal to zero at the
R R2 equator. then x is:
(c) G (d) g (a) 1 (b) 8.5
g G
(c) 17 (d) 34
Ans. (d)
Ans. (c)
Sol. Acceleration due to gravity is
Sol. At equator,
GM
g 2 mg  N  m 2 R
R
mg   mg  m 2 R
gR 2
M
G g  g  2R
20. The angular speed of earth in rad/s, so that the object When 1  2 then g   0
on equator may appear weightless is: (radius of earth 0  g   22 R
= 6400 km)
(a) 1.25 × 103 (b) 1.50 × 103 g
2 
(c) 1.56 (d) 1.25 × 101 R
Ans. (a) 2 g

Sol. Variation of g due to rotation of earth T2 R
g r  g   2 R cos 2 
R
At equator T2  2
g
  0
gr  g   2 R 6400  103
T2  2
10
For weightlessness
T2  83.8 min
g  2R
Now,
g 10 1
    102 T1  24  60
R 6400  103 8
T1  1440 min
  1.25 103 rad/s
Now taking ratio,
21. If we move from equator to pole value of g:
(a) first increases then decreases
2 2 T1
 
(b) remains same 1 T2 2
(c) increases 2 T1

(d) decreases 1 T2
Ans. (c)
2 1440
Sol. Variation of g due to rotation of earth 
1 83.8
g r  g   2 R cos 2 
  17 
Angle increase from 0 to 90 degree, therefore cos  decreases and gr 2increases1
22. If the spinning speed of the earth is increased, then
weight of the body at the equator:
(a) does not change (b) doubles
(c) decreases (d) increases
Ans. (c)
Sol. Variation of g due to rotation of earth
g r  g   2 R cos 2 
GRAVITATION 5

Gravitational Field Ans. (d)

Sol. Gravitational field intensity inside uniform hollow
24. Three particles, each of mass m, are placed at the
sphere is zero. So, mass will not experience any
vertices of an equilateral triangle of side a. The
force inside it.
gravitational field intensity at the centroid of the
triangle is Gravitational Potential Energy
Gm2 27. Radius of orbit of satellite of earth is R. Its Kinetic
(a) zero (b)
a2 energy is proportional to:
2Gm 2 3Gm2 1 1
(c) (d) (a) (b)
a2 a2 R R
Ans. (a)
1
Sol. (c) R (d) 3
R2
Ans. (a)
Sol. For satellite,
Centripetal force = gravitational force,
mv 2 GMm

R R2
Magnitude of gravitational field at centroid is same GM
for all three masses. v
R
Vector sum of three vectors having same magnitude Now kinetic energy,
and at an angle 120o with each other is zero
1
25. Infinite number of masses, each of mass m, are K .E  mv 2
2
placed along a straight line at distances of r, 2r, 4r, 2
8r, etc. from a reference point O. The gravitational 1  GM 
K .E  m 
field intensity at point O will be 2  R 
5 Gm 4 Gm mGM
(a) (b) K .E 
4 r2 3r2 2R
3 Gm 2 Gm 1
(c) (d) K .E 
2 r2 r2 R
Ans. (b) 28. Two objects of masses m and 4m are at rest at
Gm Gm Gm Gm infinite separation. They move towards each other
Sol. g 2  2   
r 4r 16r 2 64r 2 under mutual gravitational attraction. Then, at a
Gm  1 1 1  separation r, which of the following is true?
 2 1    
r  4 16 64  (a) The total energy of the system is zero.
4Gm (b) The force between them is not zero.
 (c) The centre of mass of the system is at rest.
3r 2
26. A mass m is placed in the cavity inside a hollow (d) All the above are true.
sphere of mass M as shown in the figure. What is the Ans. (d)
gravitational force on mass m? Sol. Total mechanical energy of the system = 0 (KE+PE)
So, it should remain zero as forces are conservative
G(m)(4m)
Force at separation ‘r’ F 
r2
4Gm 2
F
r2
GMm GMm As there is no external force on the system, so centre
(a) (b) of mass should remain at rest.
R2 r2
GMm 29. A body is released from a height equal to the radius
(c) (d) zero (R) of the earth. The velocity of the body when it
R  r
2

strikes the surface of the earth will be

GRAVITATION 6

(a) gR (b) 2 gR R
On solving: h 
2
(c) 2 2 gR (d) 2 gR
32. The change in the gravitational potential energy
Ans. (a) when a body of mass m is raised to a height nR
Sol. Applying conservation of mechanical energy
above the surface of the earth is (here R is the radius
(KE)i  (PE)i  (KE) f  (PE) f
of the earth)
 GMm  mv  GMm 
2
 0     n   n 
 2R  2  R  (a)   mgR (b)   mgR
 n 1  n 1 
mv 2 GMm
  mgR
2 2R (c) nmgR (d)
n
GM gR 2
v   gR Ans. (a)
R R
 mgR 2 
30. A high jumper can jump 2.0 m on earth. With the Sol. Change in PE     (mgR)
same effort how high will he be able to jump on a  R  nR 
planet whose density is one-third and radius one- mgR
  mgR
fourth those of the earth? 1 n
(a) 4m (b) 8m  1 
(c) 12m (d) 24m  mgR 1- 
 1+n 
Ans. (d)
 n 
Sol. v 2  u 2  2gh (v  0)   mgR
 n+1 
u2 1
h h  33. A body of mass m placed on earth surface is taken to
2g g a height of h = 3R, then change in gravitation
4 potential energy is
As, g  πGRρ
3 mgR 2
(a) (b) mgR
1 4 3
h 
Rρ 3 mgR
(c) mgR (d)
h 2 R1 ρ1 4 4
   Ans. (c)
h1 R 2 ρ 2
Sol. Change in PE
h2
  43  -mgR 2 
2 =   (-mgR)
 h 2  24m  R+3R 
31. A body of mass m is raised to a height h above the -mgR 3mgR
  mgR 
surface of the earth of mass M and radius R until its 4 4
1 34. The masses and radii of the earth and moon are M1,
gravitational potential energy increases by mgR. R1 and M2, R2 respectively. Their centres are a
3
The value of h is distance d apart. The minimum speed with which a
particle of mass m should be projected from a point
R R
(a) (b) midway between the two centres so as to escape to
3 2
infinity is given by
mR mR
 G  M1  M 2    G  M1  M 2  
1/ 2 1/ 2
(c) (d)
M  m M (a) 2   (b) 2  
 md   d 
Ans. (b)
 G  M1  M 2    G  M1  M 2  
1/ 2 1/ 2
 GMm   GMm  1
Sol.     mgR (c) 2   (d) 2  
 Rh   R  3  md   d 
As GM  gR 2 Ans. (b)
  mgR   mgR  1
2 2 Sol.
    mgR
 Rh   R  3
GRAVITATION 7

As mass and radius both have got doubled, so ve will

not change
3
38. A body is projected up with a velocity equal to th
4
of the escape velocity from the surface of the earth.
The height it reaches is: (Radius of the earth = R)
For escape velocity, total mechanical energy = 0
10 R 9R
    (a) (b)
1  -GM1 m   -GM 2 m  9 7
 mv + 
2
+  =0 9R 10 R
2  d   d  (c) (d)
 2   2  8 3
1 Ans. (b)
 G  M1  M 2   2
On solving v  2    3  2GM
d Sol. velocity of body (v)=  
  4 R
35. A rocket is launched vertically from the surface of Applying conservation of mechanical energy:
the earth of radius R with an initial speed v. If 1 GMm -GMm
atmospheric resistance is neglected, the maximum mv 2  
2 R (R+h)
height attained by the rocket is given by 2
R R m  3 2GM  GMm -GMm
(a) h  (b) h      
 2 gR   2 gR  2 4 R  R (R+h)
 2  1  2  1
 v   v  On solving:
 2 gR   2 gR  9R
(c) h  R  2  1 (d) h  R  2  1 h=
 v   v  7
Ans. (a) 39. Mass of moon is 1/81 times that of earth and its
Sol. Applying conservation of mechanical energy: radius is 1/4 of the earth radius. If the escape velocity
on the earth’s surface is 11.2 km/s. Then its value at
1 2  R 
mv  mgh   the surface of moon will be
2   R  h   (a) 5 km/s (b) 2.5 km/s
On solving: (c) 1.25 km/s (d) none of these
Rv 2 R Ans. (b)
h 
2gR-v 2
2gR Sol. Formula for earth’s escape velocity,
-1
v2 2GM e
ve 
36. The escape velocity of a body projected vertically Re
upwards from the surface of the earth is v. If the
Given that,
body is projected in a direction making an angle q
M
with the vertical, the escape velocity would be Mm  e
81
(a) v (b) v cos q
(c) v sin q (d) v tan q Re
Rm 
Ans. (a) 4
Sol. Escape velocity does not depend on angle of Escape velocity for moon,
projection. 2GM m
vm 
37. The escape velocity from the earth is ve. What is the Rm
escape velocity from a planet whose mass and radius
are twice those of the earth? Me
2G
(a) ve (b) 2 ve vm  81
Re
(c) 4 ve (d) 16 ve
Ans. (a) 4

2GM 2 2GM e
Sol. ve  vm 
R 9 Re
GRAVITATION 8

2 42. An earth satellite is kept moving in orbit by the

vm   ve
9 centripetal force provided by
2 (a) the burning of fuel in its engine
vm   11.2 (b) the ejection of hot gases from its exhaust
9
(c) the gravitational attraction of the sun
vm  2.5 kms 1
(d) the gravitational attraction of the earth
40. The ratio of the radii of the planet P1 and P2 is k. the Ans. (d)
ratio of acceleration due to gravity on them is r. then Sol. The gravitational attraction of the earth.
the ratio of the escape velocities from them will be: 43. An instrument package is released from an orbiting
r k earth satellite by simply detaching it from the outer
(a) (b)
k r wall of the satellite. The package will
(c) kr (d) kr (a) go away from the earth and get lost in outer space
(b) fall to the surface of the earth
Ans. (d)
(c) continue moving along with the satellite in the
Sol. Escape velocity is ve  2 gR same orbit and with the same speed
g1 (d) fall through a certain distance and then move in
r
g2 an orbit around the earth.
R1 Ans. (c)
k Sol. Continue moving along with the satellite in the same
R2
orbit and with the same speed.
Ratio of escape velocity 44. A satellite is moving around the earth in a stable
ve1 g1 R1 circular orbit. Which one of the following statements

ve 2 g 2 R2 will be wrong for such a satellite?
(a) It is moving at a constant speed.
ve1
 kr (b) Its angular momentum remains constant.
ve 2
(c) It is acted upon by a force directed away from the
Motion of a Satellite centre of the earth which counterbalances the
gravitational pull of the earth.
41. The ratio of the escape velocity of an earth satellite (d) It behaves as if it were as freely falling body.
to its orbital velocity is very nearly equal to Ans. (c)
(a) 2 (b) 2 Sol. It’s uniform circular motion: So, speed = constant
(c) 1/2 (d) 1 / 2 Gravitational force is a central force, so angular
Ans. (a) momentum should be conserved. And also it
produces the required centripetal force.
GM
Sol. Orbital speed  v 0  45. Astronauts in a stable orbit around the earth are said
r
to be in a weightless condition. The reason for this is
that
(a) the capsule and its contents are falling freely at
the same rate
(b) there is no gravitational force acting on them
(c) the gravitational force of the earth balances that
of the sun
(d) there is no atmosphere at the height at which they
For escaping the satellite, Total energy = 0
are orbiting
1 GMm
mv 2E  0 Ans. (a)
2 r
Sol. The capsule and its contents are falling freely at the
2GM same rate. Hence effective acceleration due to
 vE   2v 0
r gravity is zero.
vE 46. Choose the wrong statement. The orbital velocity of
  2
v0 a body in a stable orbit around a planet depends upon
(a) the average radius of the planet
GRAVITATION 9

(b) the height of the body above the planet 1 2 m  GM 

KE  mv0   
(c) the acceleration due to gravity on surface 2 2 Rh
(d) the mass of the orbiting body
1
Ans. (d)  KE 
Rh
Sol. Orbital velocity
KE1 R  h 2 R  4R 5R 5
GM gR 2     
v0   KE 2 R  h1 RR 2R 2
r Rh
50. An artificial satellite moving in a circular orbit
g around the earth has a total (kinetic + potential)
 v o  (R) 
(R  h) energy E0. Its potential energy is
Orbital speed depends on (a) – E0 (b) 1.5 E0
(i) Average radius of planet (R) (c) 2 E0 (d) E0
(ii) Height of body above planet (h) Ans. (c)
(iii) Acceleration due to gravity (g) GM
47. Two satellites of masses 3M and M orbit the earth in Sol. v0 
r
circular orbits of radii r and 3r respectively. The ratio
1 GMm
of their speeds is KE  mv 20 
2 2r
(a) 1:1 (b) 3 :1 -GMm
PE 
(c) 3:1 (d) 9:1 r
Ans. (b) TE  KE  PE
1 v1 r2 3r GMm GMm GMm
Sol. v0      3   
r v2 r1 r 2r r 2r
 PE  TE  2  2E 0
 v1 : v2  3 :1
51. An object weights W newton on earth. It is
48. The gravitational force between two objects is
suspended from the lower end of a spring balance
proportional to 1/R (and not as 1/R2) where R is
whose upper end is fixed to the ceiling of a space
separation between them, then a particle in circular
capsule in a stable orbit around the earth. The
orbit under such a force would have its orbital speed
reading of the spring balance will be
v proportional to
(a) W (b) less than W
1 0
(a) 2 (b) R (c) more than W (d) zero
R Ans. (d)
1 1 Sol. A spring balance measures the weight of an object by
(c) R (d)
R opposing the force of gravity acting with force of an
Ans. (b) extended spring. For a body revolving around the
1 earth the situation is same like freefall, everything in
Sol. As gravitation force  (given)
R satellite including satellite itself is freefalling with
GMm mv 2 acceleration g. so from frame of satellite we can say
 Gravitational force  
R R centrifugal force is balancing the weight of body so
 v  GM the spring balance shows no reading.
52. A seconds pendulum is mounted in a rocket. Its
 R0
period of oscillation decreases when the rocket
49. Two satellites of the same mass are orbiting round
(a) comes down with uniform acceleration
the earth at heights of R and 4R above the earth’s
(b) moves round the earth in a geostationary orbit
surface: R being the radius of the earth. Their kinetic
(c) moves up with a uniform velocity
energies are in the ratio of
(d) moves up with uniform acceleration
(a) 4:1 (b) 3:2
Ans. (d)
(c) 4:3 (d) 5:2
Sol. When rocket moves up with constant acceleration its
Ans. (d)

GM time period decreases as T 
Sol. Orbital speed v 0 = ga
R+h
GRAVITATION 10

53. The distance of a geostationary satellite from the orbital velocity,

centre of earth (radius R = 6400 km) is nearest to: GM 11
6.67  10  6  10 24

(a) 18 R (b) 10 R v0    7.8 kms 1

Rh 6.4  106  0.12  106
(c) 7 R (d) 5 R
Ans. (c) Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
Sol. Height of geostationary satellite from earth surface is 56. The figure shows elliptical orbit of a planet m about
36000 Km the sun S. The shared area SCD is twice the shaded
h = 36000 km area SAB. If t1 is the time for the planet to move
36000 from C to D and t2 is the time to move from A to B,
h  5.6 R
6400 then
From centre of earth
r  R  h  R  5.6 R
r  6.6 R
Hence it is closest to 7R
54. A geostationary satellite orbits around the earth in a
circular orbit of radius 36000 km. Then, the time
period of satellite orbiting a few hundred kilometres (a) t2 > t1 (b) t1 = 4t2
above the earth’s surface (Rearth = 6400 km) will (c) t1 = 2t2 (d) t1 = t2
approximately be Ans. (c)
1 Sol.
(a) h (b) 1 h
2
(c) 2 h (d) 4 h
Ans. (c)
Sol. Time period for geo stationary satellite is 24 hrs.
Using Kepler’s Law
2
 T1   r1 
3 By using Kepler’s law of area:
    A
 T2   r2  = constant
t
2 3
 24   36000  A1 A2
    
 T2   6400  t1 t2
24 3
2A A
  5.62  2 
T2 t1 t2
T2  1.8 hr t1  2t2
T2  2 hr Therefore, t1  t 2
55. A ball is dropped from a satellite revolving around 57. The radius vector, drawn from the sun to a planet,
the earth at a height of 120 km. The ball will: sweeps out equal areas in equal times. This is the
(a) continue to move with same speed along a statement of:
straight line tangentially to the satellite at that time (a) Newton’s third law (b) Kepler’s third law
(b) continue to move with the same speed along the (c) Kepler’s second law (d) Kepler’s first law
original orbit of satellite Ans. (c)
(c) fall down to earth gradually Sol. Kepler’s second law is also known as law of area,
(d) go far away in space according to this line joining sun and planet will
Ans. (b) sweep equal area in equal interval of time.
Sol. As ball drops from an orbiting satellite, it will A
 constant
acquire the orbital velocity and revolves around the t
earth, just like satellite is revolving and having
GRAVITATION 11

58. The orbital angular momentum of a satellite  T2   3


 -1  100%  (1.01)  1 100%
2
revolving at a distance r form the center is L. If the
 T1   
distance is increased to 16r, then the new angular
momentum will be = 1.5%
(a) 16 L (b) 64 L 62. If the distance between the earth and the sun were
half its present value, the number of days in a year
L
(c) (d) 4L would have been
4
(a) 64.5 (b) 129
Ans. (d)
(c) 182.5 (d) 730
GM Ans. (b)
Sol. L  mvr  m r  m GMr  L  r
r 3

59. A satellite is orbiting the earth in a circular orbit of Sol. T  r2

3
radius r. Its period of revolution varies as T  r 2
(a) r (b) r  2  2 
T1  r1 
(c) r 3/ 2
(d) r2 3
Ans. (c) T2  1  2
  
 4π 2  3 365  2 
Sol. T2 =  r
 GM  On calculation: T2  129 days.
3 63. Two satellites A and B of masses m1 and m2
T  r2 (m1 = 2m2) are moving in circular orbits of radii r1
60. A satellite of mass m is in a stable circular orbit and r2 (r1 = 4r2), respectively, around the earth. If
around the earth at an altitude of about 100 their periods are TA and TB, then the ratio TA/TB is
kilometres. If M is the mass of the earth, R is its (a) 4 (b) 16
radius and g the acceleration due to gravity, the time (c) 2 (d) 8
period T of the revolution of the satellite is given by Ans. (d)
3
R g 3
(a) T  2 (b) T  2 TA  rA  2  4r  2
g R Sol.     8
TB  rB   r 
MR mR
(c) T  2 (d) T  2 64. A geostationary satellite is orbiting the earth at a
mg Mg height of 6R above the surface of the earth; R being
Ans. (a) the radius of the earth. What will be the time period
Sol. If satellite is revolving close to the surface of planet of another satellite at a height 2.5 R from the surface
i.e. r  R of the earth?
R (a) 6 2 hours (b) 6 2.5 hours
T  2π
g (c) 6 3 hours (d) 12 hours
61. A satellite is launched into a circular orbit of radius Ans. (a)
R around the earth. A second satellite is launched 3
T1  r1  2
into an orbit of radius 1.01R. The period of the Sol.  
second satellite is longer than that of the first by T2  r2 
3 3
approximately T1  2.5R+R  2  1  2
(a) 0.5% (b) 1.0%     
24hr  6R+R  2
(c) 1.5% (d) 3.0%
On calculating
Ans. (c)
3 T1  6 2hr
Sol. T  r2 65. Two satellites A and B are orbiting around the earth
3 3
T2  r2  in circular orbits of the same radius. The mass of A is
 1.01 2 2
     16 times that of B. The ratio of the period of
T1  r1   1 
revolution of B to that of A is
 % change in time period: (a) 1:16 (b) 1:4
(c) 1:2 (d) 1:1
GRAVITATION 12

Ans. (d)  3 
2
r13
Sol. Period of revolution does not depend on mass of   
 36000 
3
 24 
satellite.
 36000 
3
66. A planet revolves around the sun in an elliptical
r13 
orbit. The linear speed of the planet will be 64
maximum at 36000
r1 
4
r1  9000 km
69. Assertion: The comet does not obey Kepler’s law of
planetary motion.
Reason: The comet does not have elliptical orbit.
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is
the correct explanation of assertion.
(a) D (b) B (b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not
(c) A (d) C the correct explanation of assertion.
Ans. (c) (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
Sol. Using Kepler’s second law of planetary motion, the (d) Both assertion and reason are false.
linear speed of a planet is maximum when its distance Ans. (a)
from the sun is the least. Sol. Comets travels in straight path, therefore, does not
67. Suppose the gravitational force varies inversely as the form any elliptical orbits. Therefore, Kepler’s law is
nth power of the distance. The time period of a planet not applicable here.
in circular orbit of radius R around the sun will be 70. Assertion: The square of the period of revolution of
proportional to: a planet is proportional to the cube of its distance
 n 1  n 1 from the sun. [Assuming circular orbit]
(a) R 2 (b) R 2 Reason: Sun’s gravitation field is inversely
(c) R n 1 (d) R n 1 proportional to the square of its distance from the
Ans. (b) planet:
1
mv 2 GMm  GMm  2 (a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is
Sol.  n
 v   n 1  the correct explanation of assertion.
R R  R 
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not
1
 n21 
2 R  R n 1  2  R  the correct explanation of assertion.
T  2 R    2  1 
v  GM  (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
  GM  
2

 n 1
(d) Both assertion and reason are false.
TR 2 Ans. (b)
68. A satellite orbiting the circular orbit of radius R Sol. Assertion: It follows the Kepler’s law i.e. T 2  r 3
completes one revolution in 3 h. If orbital radius of GM
Reason: Gravitational field is given by a  2 ,
geostationary satellite is 36000 km, the orbital radius r
R of satellite is: inversely proportional to distance.
(a) 6000 km (b) 9000 km Reason does not explain assertion
(c) 12000 km (d) 15000 km
Ans. (b)
Sol. Time period for geostationary satellite,
T2  24 h
According Kepler’s third law,
T 2  r3
Now,
T12 r13

T22 r23