Gravitation

Newton’s Law of Gravitation

 r

F F
m1 m2
Newton's law of Gravitation

m1 = Mass of body A
Let’s consider… m2 = Mass of body B
A B r = Distance between A and B
m1 r m2

F F
There exists a force of attraction, This force is called as gravitational
force (F).

F ∝ m1m2 This force is directly proportional to product of masses.

1
F∝ This force is inversely proportional to square of distance
r2 between the masses.
m1m2
F∝
r2
 If we introduce a constant (G)
G is a constant of proportionality known as universal
gravitational constant.

Statement
Every particle of matter attracts every
other particle of matter with a Force,
which is directly proportional to the
product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of the
distance between them.
Universal Gravitational Constant (G)

m1 m 2 Fr2
F = G G =
r2 m1 m2

Suppose that, m1 = m2 = 1 and r = 1, then G = F

Universal gravitation constant is numerically equal to the force of attraction between two unit
masses placed at unit distance apart.

Nm2 dyne cm2

SI unit of ‘G’ = CGS unit of ‘G’ =
kg2 gm2

[F][r2] [M1L1T–2] [M0L2T0]

Dimensions of ‘G’ = = = [M–1L3T–2]
[m1m2] [M2L0T0]

Value of G = 6.67 × 10–11 Nm2/kg2 = 6.67 × 10–8 dyne cm2/gm2

Ball is moving onwards the thick part of ring
 Universal Gravitational Constant (G)

1 kg 1 kg
1m

m1 m2
F = G
r2
Characteristic of Gravitational Law
Characteristic of Gravitational Law
1. The gravitational force is independent of the intervening medium.

r r
Medium - Air Medium - Water

2. The force acts along the line joining the masses, hence it is a central
force.
3. The gravitational force is a conservative force.
4. The force exerted by the first particle on the second is exactly
equal & opposite to the force exerted by the second particle on
the first (obeys Newton’s 3rd law).
Gravity Force (F2) Gravity Force (F1)

Earth
Object
(Me = 6 × 1024 kg) (mass = 1 kg)

∴ F 1 = F2
Formula

Where…

m1 , = masses of particles
m2
r = distance between them

G = 6.67 × 10–11 Nm2 / kg2

Numericals on Gravitation Law
 2 bodies of masses 5 kg and 6 × 1024 kg are placed with their centers 6.4 ×
106 m apart. Calculate the force of attraction between the two masses.
Also find the initial acceleration of the two masses.
[Assume that no other forces act on them]
Given:

m1 = 5 kg
m2 = 6 × 1024 kg
6.4 × 106 m
5 kg r = 6.4 × 106 m
6 × 1024 kg
Acceleration due to Gravity on the surface
Solution: m1m2
F = G
r2
5 × 6 × 1024
= 6.67 × 10–11 ×
(6.4 × 106)2

6.67 × 5 × 6 × 10–11 +24

= ⇒ F = 48.85 N
6.42 × 1012

For Initial acceleration F = ma a = F

m
For m1; For m2;
F 48.85 F 48.85
a1 = m1 = a2 = =
5 m2 6 × 1024

a1 = 9.77 m/s2 a2 = 8.142 × 10–24 m/s2

The force between 2 particle is F. Now if the masses are doubled and
the distance is halved. Find the new force.
A. 2F
B. 8F F F
C. 16 F
m1 m2
D. F r
Solution:

Gm1m2 16 Gm1m2
F = F′ =
r2 r2
G(2m1)(2m2)
F′ = F′ = 16 F
1 2
r
2

4 Gm1m2
=
r2
4
What is the magnitude of the gravitational force F on the particle due to the
rod ?
GMm
A.
d(L - d)
d
GMm m M,L
B.
d(L + d)
GMm
C.
2d(L + d)
GMm
D.
(L + d)2
 d
m M,L
Solution:
r dr
(m) dm (M)

d L

As different parts of rod are at

different distances from mass m

Take small element of rod and

integrate

G(m) M dr
G(m)(dm) L
dF = dF =
r2
r2
Solution:
M
G(m) dr GMm 1 1
L = –
dF = F
L d L+d
r2

L+d GMm L

∫ GMm =
F = 1 dr L Ld + d2
L r2
d
GMm
F =
L+d

∫
GMm d(L + d)
= 1 dr
L r2
d
Vector form of Newton's Law of Gravitation
Vector form of Newton's Law of Gravitation
Vector form of Newton's Law of Gravitation

r
–Gm1m2 ∧
F12 = r21 F12 F21
r2 m1 m2
A B
r12 r21
–Gm1m2 ∧
F21 = r12
r2

–ve sign indicates gravitation force

is attractive in nature
 If r1 and r2 are the position vectors of point masses m1 and m2
at points A and B, as shown in figure, then r12 = r2 – r1

A F21 Now,
m1
∧
r1 r12 B Gm1m2
m2 = – 3
r12
r2 r12

O Gm1m2
F21 = – ( r2 – r1 )
3
r2 – r1
 Gm1m2
F21 = – ( r2 – r1 )
3
r2 – r1

m1

m2
r1

r2

O
Principle of Superposition of Gravitational Force

F31
m3 m1

F32

m2
Principle of Superposition of Gravitational Force

Resultant gravitational F acting on a particle, due to number of point

masses is equal to the vector sum of forces exerted by individual masses.

F = F01 + F02 + F03 m1

F01

m0
F0 F03
2

m2 m3
Three identical masses m are kept at the vertices of equilateral Δ of side ‘a’.
Find the force on A due to B and C.
A
m

m m
B C
Solution:

y
FB sin30 A FC sin30

Forces in X-Direction
300 x
FB FC G(m)(m)
FB = Fc =
a2
a a
FB sin30 = FC sin30

Hence, they cancel each other

B C
Forces in Y-Direction

F = FB cos30 + FC cos30 FB sin30 A FC sin30

300
FB FC

a a

magnitude
B C

Its direction is along -ve y axis i.e; -ĵ