Chapter 7

The Earth and Gravitation

Gravitation - All objects in the universe attract one another. This universal attractive force is
called gravitation.

Gravitational force - The attractive force that exists between any two material particles in the
universe due to their masses is called the gravitational force.

Force of gravity - The attractive force that works between the earth and any other material is
called force of gravity.

*** Every material particle in the universe attracts every other particle and the value of the
mutual attractive force is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional
to the square of the distance between them. This force is directed along the line joining the two
masses. ***

𝑚𝑚1+𝑚𝑚2
F=G
𝑑𝑑 2

Here,
F = Gravitational Force
G = Constant of proportionality or the universal gravitational constant
m1 and m2 are the masses of two point objects or spherical bodies
D is the distance between them

Acceleration - The increase in velocity per second is called acceleration.

Acceleration due to gravity - The rate at which the velocity of a free falling body change due
to the force of gravity is called the acceleration due to gravity.

g is a form of acceleration, its unit is that of acceleration, that is meter/second2.

Mass - The amount of material present in an object is its mass.

𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
F=G
𝑑𝑑 2

M = the mass of the earth

m = the mass of an object near the earth
d = the distance between the object and the center of the earth

F = mg
Or, the force of gravity = mass x acceleration due to gravity.
𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺
mg =
𝑑𝑑 2
𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺
or, g =
𝑑𝑑 2

* Value of g in the equator = 9.78 meter/sec2.

* The value of g in the polar region is 9.832 meter/sec2 at the surface of the Earth.
* Ideal value of g is 9.8 meter/sec2.

The international unit of mass is kg.

1 ton = 1000 kg.
F = ma
or force = mass x acceleration.

Weight - The force by which the earth attracts an object to its center is called its weight.
w = mg
Unit of weight is Newton.
* The value of acceleration due to gravity due to gravitational force at the surface of the moon is
1/6 compared to that at the surface of the earth.
So, g in moon is - 1.63 meter/sec2.

*** F+(-mg) = ma Or, F= m (g+a).

Inertial System - When a system of reference moves with constant velocity, it is called an
inertial system.

The acceleration due to gravity and the weight of an object are

different at different places on the earth

The weight of an object depends on the acceleration due to gravity g. The reasons for which the
value of g changes are also the reasons for which the weight of an object changes. The weight of
an object is not an invariant quantity. Its value changes from place to place on earth. The reasons,
for which the weight of an object changes are described below-

(A) At different places on the surface of the earth: The weight of an object is different at
different locations on the earth because of the shape of the earth and its different locations.

(1) For the shape of the earth: Since the earth is not a perfect sphere, all points on the surface
of the earth are not at equal distance from the center of the earth. As the value of g at a point
depends on its distance from the center of the earth, the value of g becomes different in different
places on the earth's surface. At the equilateral area the radius of the earth is largest and the
value of g is lowest (9. 78 meter/ sec2) there. This is why weight of an object is minimum in this
region. As we move from the equator to the poles, the radius of the earth decreases and the
value of g increases (9.83 meter/ sec2). Because of this the weight of an object also increases. At
the poles the radius of the pole is minimum and the value of g is maximum. As a result, the weight
of an object is highest in this region.

(2) For the diurnal rotation of the earth: Because of the diurnal rotation of the earth the
acceleration due to gravity gradually increases from the equatorial region to polar region. As a
result, the weight of an object also increases as we move from the equatorial region to polar
region.
(B) For the increase of height from the earth's surface: As we soar to higher heights, the value of
the acceleration due to gravity decreases. Because of the greater height from the surface of the
earth, the lower is the value of the weight of an object. Thus, the value of g is less at the top of a
mountain.

(C) At a point inside the earth: As we go deeper inside the earth the value of the acceleration
due to gravity goes on decreasing. Because of this the weight of an object goes on decreasing, as
we go deeper and deeper inside the earth. Thus, the weight of an object is less inside a mine. At
the center of the earth the value of the acceleration due to gravity is zero. Therefore, if we take
an object to the center of the earth, there will be no force of attraction of the earth on the object
and its weight will be zero.