Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

1. Calculate the force exerted by the Earth on the Moon. Take, mass of the
Earth = 6 × 1024 kg, mass of the Moon = 7.4 × 1022 kg.
Sol. Distance of the Moon from the Earth = 3.84 × 105 km, F = GM 12M 2
R
Here, G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2, M1 = 6 × 1024 kg; M2 = 7.4 × 1022 kg.
R = 3.84 × 105 km = 3.84 × 108m
6.67 × 10−11 × 6 × 1024 × 7.4 × 1022
F= = 20.2 × 1019 N.
(3.84 × 108 ) 2
2. The acceleration due to gravity at the moon’s surface is 1.67 m/s2. If the
radius of the moon is 1.74 × 106 m, calculate the mass of the moon. [G =
6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2]
GM gR 2 1.67 × (1.74 × 106 )2
Sol. g = 2 \ M = G = 6.67 × 10−11
= 7.58 × 1022kg.
R
3. The mass of planet Jupiter is 1.9 × 1027 kg and that of the Sun is 1.99 × 1030
kg. The average distance of the Sun from Jupiter is 7.8 × 1011 m. Calculate
the gravitational force exerted by the Sun on Jupiter and orbital speed of
Jupiter assuming the orbit of Jupiter is circular.
Sol. Here, m1 = 1.9 × 1027 kg, m2 = 1.99 × 1030 kg,
r = 7.8 × 1011 m, G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2
Gm1m2 6.67 × 10−11 × 1.9 × 1027 × 1.99 × 1030
F= = = 4.15 × 1023 N.
r2 (7.8 × 1011 ) 2
The centripetal force required by the Jupiter to move in the circular orbit
around the, Sun is provided by the gravitational force between them.
m1v 2 Fr

⇒ F= ⇒v=
r m1

4.15 × 1023 × 7.8 × 1011

⇒ v=
= 1.3 × 104 m/s.
1.9 × 1027
4. Calculate the gravitational potential on the surface of the earth from the
following data. Radius of the Earth = 6.37 × 108 cm, mean density of the
earth = 5.5 g/cm3 and G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2.
−GM −G  4 3  −4πGR 2ρ
Sol. v = =  πR ρ  =
R R 3  3
−4 × 3.14 × 6.67 × 10−11 × (6.37 × 106 )2 × 5.5 × 103
v=
=–6.22×107 J/kg.
3

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 Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

5. Calculate the mass of the Sun from the following data:
Distance between the earth and the Sun = 1.49 × 1013 cm
G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2 and 1 year = 365 days
Sol. The centripetal force required by the earth to revolve around the Sun is
provided by the gravitational force between the two.
GMm mv 2

\ = = mω2 R
R2 R
2 3
M = w R and ω = 2π
G T
4π 2 R 3 4 × (3.14) 2 × (1.49 × 1011 )3

\ M= 2 = = 1.969 × 1030 kg.
T G (365 × 24 × 60 × 60)2 × 6.67 × 10−11
6. Calculate the time period of a satellite which revolves round a planet in an
orbit just above the surface of the planet using the data:
G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2 and mean density of the planet = 8 × 103 kg/m3.
Sol. Centripetal force = Gravitational force
mv 2 GMm mω2 R 2 GMm
= ⇒ = [v = r ω]
R R2 R R2

⇒ GM G 4 3 4
ω2 = 3
. πR ρ = πGρ
=
3 3
R R 3
2π \ 4π2 4
Q ω= = πGρ
T T2 3
3π

\ T=
Gρ
3 × 3.14
T= = 4205 s.
6.67 × 10−11 × 8 × 103
7. Calculate the escape velocity of a body from the surface of the moon.
Consider the moon to be a uniform sphere of radius 1.74 × 106 m and mass
7.36 × 1022 kg. (G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2)
2GM 2 × 6.67 × 10−11 × 7.36 × 1022
Sol. ve = = = 2.38 × 103 m/s
R 1.74 × 106
8. An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit around the Earth with a
speed equal to half the magnitude of escape velocity of the Earth.

345
Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

(a) Determine the height of the satellite above the Earth’s surface.
(b) If the satellite is stopped suddenly in its orbit and allowed to fall
freely onto the earth, find the speed with which it hits the surface of
the earth.
1 GM 1 2GM
Sol. (a) Velocity of the satellite =
× escape velocity ⇒ =
2 R+h 2 R
Squaring both sides, GM 1 2GM
= ×
R+h 4 R
⇒ R + h = 2R ⇒ h = R = 6400 km.
(b) Change in P.E. of the satellite on hitting the surface of the earth
−GMm  GMm 
= P.E. at earth’s surface – P.E. at height h = −− 
R  R+h

= −GMm + GMm = – GMm + GMam

R R+h R R+R
GMm GMm −GMm
(as h = R) = − + =
R 2R 2R
Decrease in P.E. = Increase in K.E.

\ 1 mv 2 = GMm ⇒= GM gR 2
v2 = = gr [Q GM = gR2]
2 2R R R
v = gR = 9.8 × 6400 × 103 = 7.92×10 m/s
3

9. Three point masses, each of m, are placed at the vertices of an equilateral

triangle of side a. What is the gravitational field and potential due to this
system at the centroid of the triangle?
Sol. AB = BC = CA = a
Median = AD = BE = CF
2
a 3a 2 3
= a2 −   = = a
2 4 2
A median is divided into 2:1 ratio at the
centroid.
1 3 a

\ GD = GE = GF =
× a= ;
3 2 2 3
a a
AG = BG = CG = 2 × =
2 3 3

346
 Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

   Gm Gm 3Gm
| F=
A | |F
=B| | F
=C|
= 2
= 2

r (a / 3 ) a2
Resultant of FB and FC, FBC = FB 2 + FC 2 + 2 FB FC cos120°

2 2 2
 3Gm   3Gm   3Gm  3Gm
=  2  +  2  + 2  2  cos120° = 2
 a   a   a  a

\ Resultant of FBC and FA

3Gm 3Gm
= 2
− = 0 (as they are equal and opposite)
a a2
Gravitational potential at G due to masses at A, B and C each
−Gm 3Gm
= =−
r a
\ Total gravitational potential at G = −3 × 3Gm = −3 3Gm
a a
10. Imagine a tunnel is dug along a diameter of the Earth. Show that a particle
dropped into this tunnel executes simple harmonic motion. Calculate its time
period. Given the density of the Earth = 5520 kg/m3 and G = 6.67 × 10–11 N
m2/kg2.
4
Sol. Mass of the Earth = M = πR3ρ
3
This mass is concentrated at the centre of the Earth. Force of attraction on
−GMm
the particle due to earth = F = (–ve sign shows attraction)
R2
−G 4 3 4
Also force = mass × acceleration ⇒ ma = . πR ρm = − πGρmR
2 3 3
R
4 4 4
a = − πGρR = –ω2R where ω2 = πGρ = Constant ω = πGρ
3 3 3
⇒ The acceleration is directly proportional to the displacement (R)
and is directed towards the centre
⇒ The motion is S.H.M.
2π 3 3π 3 × 3.14
Time period = T = = 2π = = = 5059 s.
ω 4πGρ Gρ 6.67 × 10−11 × 5520

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Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

11. Find the percent decrease in the weight of a body when taken 32 km below
the surface of the earth.
Take radius of earth = 6400 km.
 d
Sol. At depth d below earth, g '= g 1 − 
 R
 d
g − g 1 − 
∆g g − g '  R = d
So fractional decrease = = =
g g g R
d 32 km
So percent decrease = ×100% = ×100% = 0.5%
R 6400 km
12. Determine the speed with which the earth will have to rotate on its axis so
3
that a body on the equator would weigh th as much as at present. Take
5
equatorial radius 6400 km.
3
Sol. The weight reduces to th of original value. Since mass cannot change, so
5
3
it is clear that acceleration due to gravity (g) has reduced to th of original
5
value. Due to rotation of earth, reduced value of g is given by
g' = g – w2R
⇒ 3
g = g − ω2 R
5
2g
⇒ ω2 R =
5
2g 2 × 9.8
ω=
⇒ = = 7.83 ×10 −4 rad/s.
5R 5 × 6.4 × 10 6
13. A satellite revolves around a planet in an orbit whose radius is 3 times the
radius of the planet. The radius of the planet is 2800 km. Taking acceleration
due to gravity on surface of the planet = 8 m/s2, find the period of the satellite.
2πr 2πr
Sol. T = =
v GM
r 3 r (3R)3
= 2π = 2π
GM gR 2

348
 Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

27 R 27 × 2.8 × 106

= 2π = 2π = 19,280 s
g 8
14. A satellite of mass 1000 kg moves in a circular orbit of radius 7000 km
around the earth. Calculate the total energy required to place the satellite in
orbit from earth’s surface. Take radius of earth = 6400 km and g = 10.0 m/s2.
Sol. At surface of earth, PE = − GMm KE = zero (Initially at rest)
R
In the orbit at r = 7000 km, PE = − GMm
r
GMm
KE =
2r
So additional energy needed is
∆E = (KE + PE)final – (KE + PE)initial
 GMm GMm   GMm 
= − + − 
 r 2r   R 
1 1  1 1 
= GMm  −  = gR 2 .m  − 
 R 2r   R 2r 
 1 1 
=10 × (6.4 ×106 ) 2  6
− 6
× 100
 6.4 ×10 2 × 7 × 10 
= 3.47 × 1010 J
15. Two stars of mass m each, move in a circle of radius r, under the influence
of their mutual gravitational force. Calculate the speed of each particle.
Sol. The two stars must rotate about their C.M.
The centripetal force will be provided by
gravitational force that acts between the two
stars.
Gmm mv 2
Then =
( 2r ) 2 r
1 Gm

⇒ v =
2 r
16. A particle is projected vertically upward from surface of earth with initial
velocity v0. Find the maximum height above surface of earth, that it will rise

349
Gravitation

Solved Numerical Questions

to. Given g = acceleration due to gravity on earth surface and R = radius of
earth.
Let maximum height attained above earth’s surface be H. Then applying
conservation of mechanical energy between the highest position and the
initial position,
1 2  GMm   GMm 
Sol. mv0 +  −  = 0 +  − R + H 
2  R 

⇒ v02 gR 2 (as GM = gR2)
− gR = −
2 R+H
− 2 gR 2

⇒ v02 − 2 gR =
R+H
2 gR 2

⇒ R+H =
2 gR − v02
2 gR 2 − 2 gR 2 + v02 R

⇒ H =
2 gR − v02
v02 R

⇒ H =
2 gR − v02

350
 Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

1. Suppose there existed a planet that went around the Sun twice as fast as the
Earth. What would be its orbital size as compared to that of the Earth?
T12 R13
Sol. From Kepler’s 3rd law, = ; Here, T1 = 1 year, T2 = 1/2 year, R1 =
T2 2 R23
1 A.U., R2 = ?
2/3 2/3
T  1/ 2 
R2 = R1  2  = 1  = 0.63 AU
 T1   1 
2. One of the satellites of Jupiter, has an orbital period of 1.769 days and the
radius of the orbit is 4.22 × 108 m. Show that mass of Jupiter is about one
thousand times that of the Sun. (Take 1 year = 365.25 mean solar day)
Sol. For the satellite of Jupiter, T1 = 1.769 days = 1.769 × 24 × 60 × 60 s,
R1 = 4.22 × 108 m
4p2 R13

⇒ Mass of Jupiter = M1 =
GT12
4 × (3.14) 2 × (4.22 × 108 )3
⇒ M1 = ... (1)
6.67 × 10−11 × (1.769 × 24 × 60 × 60) 2
For earth around the Sun, T2 = 1 year = 365.25 × 24 × 60 × 60s.
R2 = 1A.U = 1.496 × 1011 m
Mass of the Sun
4π2 R2 2 4(3.14) 2 × (1.496 × 1011 )3
= M2 = = ... (2)
GT2 2 6.67 × 10−11 × (365.25 × 24 × 60 × 60) 2
Dividing (2) by (1),
M1 1 1 1
= ≈ \ M1 = M2
M 2 1046 1000 1000
1

\ Mass of Jupiter is times the mass of the Sun.
1000
3. Let us consider that our galaxy consists of 2.5 × 1011 stars each of one solar
mass. How long will this star at a distance of 50,000 ly from the galactic
centre take to complete one revolution? Take the diameter of the Milky Way
to be 105 ly. G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2
Sol. r = 50,000 ly = 50, 000 × 9.46 × 1015 m = 4.73 × 1020 m

M = 2.5 × 1011 solar mass = 2.5 × 1011 × 2 × 1030 kg = 5 × 1041kg

351
Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

4π2 r 3

Q M=
GT 2
1/ 2 1/ 2
 4π 2 r 3   4 × (3.14) 2 (4.73 × 1020 )3 
\ T =   =  −11 41 
= 1.12 × 1016s.
 GM   6.67 × 10 × 5 × 10 
4. A rocket is fired from the earth towards the Sun. At what point on its path is
the gravitational force on the rocket zero? Mass of Sun = 2 × 103 kg, mass
of Earth = 6 × 1024 kg. Neglect the effect of the other planets. Orbital radius
of the Earth = 1.5 × 1011 m
Sol. Ms = 2 × 1030 kg. Me = 6 × 1024 kg r = 1.5 × 1011 m
Let at a distance x from the earth the gravitational force on the rocket due
to Sun and the Earth are equal and opposite.
\ Distance of the rocket from the Sun = r – x
If m is the mass of the rocket then
GM s m GM e m (r − x) 2 Ms
2
= 2
⇒ 2
=
(r − x) x x Me

r−x Ms 2 × 1030 103

⇒ = ⇒ =
x Me 6 × 1024 3
r 103 r 103 103 + 3

⇒ −1 = ⇒ = +1 =
x 3 x 3 3
3r 1.732 × 1011 × 1.5

\ x= = = 2.59 × 108 m
103 + 3 103 + 1.732
5.
A Saturn year is 29.5 times the earth year. How far is the Saturn from the
Sun if the Earth is 1.5 × 108 km away from the Sun?
T2 R3
Sol. Ts = 29.5 Te, Re = 1.5 × 108 km; From Kepler’s 3rd law, s = s
Te 2 Re3
2/3 2/3
T   29.5Te 
⇒ Rs = Re  s  = 1.5 × 108   = 1.43 × 109 km
 Te   Te 
6. A body weighs 63 N on the surface of the earth. What is the gravitational
force on it due to the earth at a height equal to half the radius of the earth?
Sol. Weight of the body = mg = 63 N
Acceleration due to gravity at a height ‘h’

352
 Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

 R2  gR 2 4
= g'= g 2  = 2
= g
 ( R + h)   R 9
R+ 
 2
\ Gravitational force on the body at a height
4 4
h = mg′ = m × × g = × 63 = 28N
9 9
7. Assuming the Earth to be a sphere of uniform mean density, how much
would a body weigh half way down to the centre of earth if it weighed 250
N on the surface? [g on the surface on the earth = 9.8 m/s2]
 d
Sol. Acceleration due to gravity at a depth ‘d’ is g ' = g 1 − 
 R
 d  R / 2
\ Weight = mg′ = mg 1 −  = 250 1 −  = 125 N
 R  R 
8. A rocket is fired vertically with a speed of 5 km/s from the Earths surface.
How far from the Earth does the rocket go before returning to the Earth?
Mass of the Earth = 6 × 1024 kg,
Mean radius of the Earth = 6.4 × 106 m
G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2
Sol. Let, v = velocity of the rocket when it is fired from the earth.
h = height at which its velocity becomes zero.
Total energy of the rocket at the surface of the earth
1 2  GMm 
= K.E. + P.E. = mv +  − 
2  R 
At the highest point v = 0 \ K.E. = 0
−GMm
and P.E. = \ T.E = −GMm
R+h R+h
1 2 GMm GMm
Using law of conservation of energy, mv − =−
2 R R+h
1 2 1 1  R + h − R 
v = GM  −  = GM  
2 R R + h  R ( R + h) 
1 2 gR 2 .h

⇒ v = [Q gR2 = GM]
2 R ( R + h)

353
Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

1 2 gRh ⇒ v2(R + h) = 2gRh
v =
2 R+h

⇒ v2R + V2h = 2gRh ⇒ h(v2 – 2gR) = – v2R

⇒ h (2gR – v2) = v2R
v2 R (5 × 103 )2 × 6.4 × 106

⇒ h= = = 1.6 × 106 m
2 gR − v 2 2 × 9.8 × 6.4 × 106 − (5 × 103 )2
9. The escape velocity of a projectile on the surface of earth is 11.2 km/s. If
a body is projected out with thrice of this speed, find the speed of the body
far away from the Earth. Ignore the presence of other planets and Sun.
Sol. ve = 11.2 km/s, velocity of projection = v = 3ve
Let m and v0 be the mass and the velocity of the projectile far away from
the Earth
1 2 1 2 1 2
then using law of conservation of energy, mv0 = mv − mve
2 2 2

v0 = v 2 − ve 2 = (3ve )2 − ve 2 = 8ve
= 2 2 ´11.2 = 2 × 1.414 × 11.2 = 31.68 km/s

10. A satellite orbits the earth at a height of 400 km above the surface. How
much energy must be expended to rocket the satellite out of the gravitational
influence of the Earth? Mass of the satellite is 200 kg, mass of the Earth =
6 × 1024 kg, radius of the Earth = 6.4 × 106 m, G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2
GMm 1 2
Sol. Total energy of the satellite at a height h = − + mv
( R + h) 2
GMm 1 GM GMm
= − + m = −
R+h 2 R+h 2( R + h)
Energy expended to rocket the satellite out of the earth’s gravitational field
GMm 6.67 × 10−11 × 6 × 1024 × 200
= – (T.E. of the satellite) = = = 5.9
2( R + h) 2(6.4 × 106 + 4 × 105 )
× 109 J.
11. Two heavy spheres each of mass 100 kg and radius 0.1 m are placed 1 m
apart on a horizontal table. What is the gravitational field and potential at the
mid point of the line joining the centres of the spheres? Is an object placed
at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the equilibrium stable or unstable.

354
 Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

Sol. Gravitational field at the mid point O of the line joining the two spheres are
equal and opposite
\ Net field zero.
GM GM
Net field = − 2
+ =0
( r / 2) ( r / 2) 2
−11
Potential at O = V = − GM − GM = −4GM = −4 × 6.67 × 10 × 100
r/2 r/2 r 1
= – 2.7 × 10–8 J/kg
12. A geostationary satellite orbits the earth at a height of nearly 36,000 km
from the surface of the earth. What is the potential due to earth’s gravity at
the site of this satellite? (Consider the P.E. at infinity to be zero.) Mass of
the earth = 6 × 1024 kg Radius = 6400 km
Sol. Gravitational potential at a height h above the surface of the earth
−GM −6.67 × 10−11 × 6 × 1024
= V = = = – 9.4 × 106 J/kg.
R+h (6.4 × 106 + 36 × 106 )
13. A star 2.5 times the mass of the sun and collapsed to a size of the 12 km
rotates with a speed of 1.5 revolution per second. Will an object placed on
its equator remain struck to its surface due to gravity? (Mass of the sun = 2
× 1030 kg)
Sol. The object will remain struck to the surface of star due to gravity, if the
acceleration due to gravity is more than the centrifugal acceleration due to
its rotation.
GM 6.67 × 10−11 × 2.5 × 2 × 1030
Acceleration due to gravity = g = =
R2 (12000)2
= 2.3 × 1012 m/s2
Centrifugal acceleration = rω2 = 12,000 × (2 × 3.14 × 1.5)2 = 1.1 × 106 m/s2
Here g > rω2 \ The objected will remain struck with the surface.
14. Two stars each of 1 solar mass (= 2 × 1030 kg) are approaching each other
for a head on collision. When they are at a distance 109 km, their speeds are
negligible. What is the speed with which they collide? The radius of each

355
Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

star is 104 km. Assume the stars to remain undisturbed until they collide.
Use the known value of G.
Sol. Mass of each star = M = 2 × 1030 kg. Radius = R = 104 km = 107 m
Initial distance between 2 stars = r = 109 km = 1012 m
−GM 2
Initial P.E. of the system = ;
r
1 1
Total K.E. of the system = MV 2 + MV 2 = MV 2
2 2
V = speed of collision of each star.
Distance between the centres of the stars when they are about to collide =
r′ = R + R = 2R
−GM 2

\ Final P.E. of the system =
2R
GM 2  GM 2 

Q Loss in P.E. = Gain in K.E. \ MV 2 = − −−
r  2 R 
 
 1 1 
2 × 1030 × V2 = – GM2  12 − 
10 2 × 107 
 2 − 105 

⇒ 2 × 103 × V2 = – 6.67 × 10–11 × (2 × 1030)2  12 
 2 × 10 
1.334 × 1043
V2 = ⇒ V = 2.583 × 106 m/s.
2 × 1030
15. A Rocket is fired vertically from the surface of Mars with a speed of 2 km/s.
If 20% of its initial K.E. is lost due to martian atmospheric resistance, how
far will the rocket go from the surface of Mars before returning to it. Mass
of Mars = 6.4 × 1023 kg; radius of Mars = 3395 km.
G = 6.67 × 10–11 Nm2/kg2
Sol. Let m = mass of the rocket; M = mass of Mars; R = Radius of Mars
v = initial velocity of the rocket.
1 GMm
Total initial energy of the rocket = K.E. + P.E. = mv 2 −
2 R
Q 20% of the K.E. is lost
80 1 2 GMm
\ Energy available to the rocket = × mv −
100 2 R

356
 Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

GMm
= 0.4mv 2 −
R
If the rocket reaches at a height h above the surface of Mars, at this point
−GMm
K.E. = 0 and P.E. =
R+h
\ From law of conservation of energy,
GMm GMm
0.4mv 2 − =−
R R+h
GM GM 1
= − 0.4v 2 = [GM − 0.4 Rv 2 ]
R+h R R
R+h R
=
GM GM − 0.4 Rv 2
GMR GMR
⇒ R+h= ⇒ h= −R
GM − 0.4 Rv 2 GM − 0.4Rv 2
 GM 
h = R 2
− 1
 GM − 0.4 Rv 
 6.67 × 10−11 × 6.4 × 1023 
= 3395 × 10  3 − 1
 6.67 × 10−11 × 6.4 × 1023 − 0.4 × 3395 × 103 × (2 × 103 )2 
= 3395 × 103 ⇒ h = 495 × 103 m = 495 km.
16. A space ship is stationed on Mars. How much energy must be expended on
the spaceship to rocket it out of the Solar System? Mass of the space ship =
1000 kg, mass of the Sun = 2 × 1030 kg, mass of the Mars = 6.4 × 1023 kg,
Radius of Mars = 3395 km, Radius of the orbit of Mars = 2.28 × 1011 m, G
= 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2
Sol. Let R′ = Radius of the Mars, R = Radius of the orbit of Mars, M = Mass of
the Sun
M′ = Mass of the Mars, m = Mass of the space ship.
−GMm
\ P.E. of space ship due to gravitational attraction of the Sun =
R
−GM ' m
P.E. of space ship due to gravitational attraction of Mars =
R'

Q The K.E. of space ship is zero.

357
Gravitation

NCERT Textual Exercise (Solved)

−GMm GM ' m  M M '

\ Total energy of the ship = − = −Gm  + 
R R'  R R' 
Energy required to rocket out the space ship from the Solar System = – (total
energy)
  M M '   M M '
= –  −Gm  +   = Gm  + 
  R R '   R R' 
 2 × 1030 6.4 × 1023 
= 6.67 × 10–11 × 1000  + 
11
 2.28 × 10 3395 × 103 
 20 6.4 
= 6.67 × 10–8  + × 1018 = 5.98 × 1011J.
 2 . 28 33 .95 

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