GRAVITATION

CONCEPT – I
1. The gravitational constant depends upon [ d ]
a) Mass of the bodies b) Gravitational mass
c) Distance between the bodies d) None of the above factors
Sol: Universal gravitational constant is independent of all the factors except system of units.
2. If the distance between two masses is doubled, the gravitational attraction between them
[ d ]
a) Is doubled b) Becomes 4 times
c) Is reduced to half d) Is reduced to a quarter
mm
Sol: F  G 12 2
r
If distance is doubled
Gm1m 2
 F1  2
 2r 
1 Gm1m 2
 .
4 r2
F

4
i.e. reduced to a quarter
3. The gravitational force between two point masses m1 and m2 at separation ‘r’ is given by
km1m 2
F . The constant ‘k’ depends on [ a ]
r2
a) the system of units only b) medium between masses only
c) both a and b d) neither (a) nor (b)
Sol: K = G = Universal gravitational constant . It depends on only system of units.
4. The force of gravitation is [ c ]
a) Repulsive b) Electro static c) Conservative d) Non conservative
Sol: work done by the gravitational force does not depends on path. So it is a conservative
force.
5. Assertion (A) : Gravitational force between two particles is negligibly small compared
to the electrostatic force.
Reason (R) : The electrical force is experienced by charged particles only [ b ]
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: (A) : Electro static force is much greater than gravitational force for protons Electro static
force is in the order of 10 31 time than the gravitational force.
(B) : Electric force is acting between charged particles only.
 Both are true but not correct explanation
6. Assertion (A) :The principle of superposition is not valid for gravitational force [ a ]
Reason (R) : Gravitational force is a conservative force
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: (A) : Gravitational force obeys the principal of super position
(B) : Gravitational force is a conservative force
7. Gravitational force is universal in nature. However when we stand near a wall we are not
pulled by the wall because [ d ]
a) Wall has large area b) The wall is at small distance
c) Flat surface do not exert gravitational force
d) The gravitational force due to wall is negligible as compared to that due to the earth
Sol: Gravitational force
GMm
F
r2
FM
Mass of the wall is negligible compared with mass of the earth
 Gravitational force due to wall is negligible as compared with the force due to earth
8. Among the following, true statements about the gravitational constant G is /are [b,d ]
a) G is a dimensionless number
b) The value of G is same anywhere in the universe
c) G has the same value in all system of units
d) The value of G does not depend on the nature of the medium between the two bodies.
Sol: G is the universal gravitational constant. It is same throughout the Universe. Does not
depends on medium between the bodies. But its value is not same in all systems of units.
G has dimensional formula  M 1L3T 2 

Silver Package:
1. The gravitational force between two stones of mass 1 kg each separated by a distance of
1m in vacuum is [ d ]
5 11
b) 6.67510 N d) 6.67510 N
8
a) Zero c) 6.675  10 N
Sol: M1  1kg,M2  1kg
r  1m
G  6.675 1011 NKg 2m2
mm
F  G. 1 2 2
r
1 1
F  6.675 1011 
1
  F  6.675 1011 N
2. Two spheres of mass m & M are situated in air and the gravitational force between them
is F. The space around the masses is now filled with a liquid of specific gravity 3. The
gravitational force will now be [ a ]
F F
a) F b) c) d) 3F
3 9
GMm
Sol: F
r2
If the space between the bodies filled with a medium, the force of attraction do not
change because it is independent of the medium between the bodies.
3. Assertion (A): When the distance between two bodies is doubled and mass of each body
is also doubled, gravitational force between them remains same. [ a ]
Reason (R): According to Newton’s law of gravitation, force is directly proportional to
the product of masses of bodies and inversely proportional to square of distance between
them
a)Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
mm
Sol: F1  G. 1 2 2
r1
2m1 2m2
F2  G. 2
 2r 1
4m1m 2
F2  G.
4r12
m1m 2
F2  G.
r12
F2  F1
1
This is happening because F  Mm, F 
r2
4. Two identical spheres are placed in contact with each other. The force of gravitation
between two spheres will be proportional to (R = radius of each sphere) [ c ]
2 -2 4 4
a) R b) R c) R d) R
m2
Sol: F  G.
r2

m m
2R
 2
4 
G   R3  
3
F  2

 2R 
2
4 
G    .R 6
3 
F 
4R 2
 F  R4
5. Three uniform spheres each has a mass m and radius ‘a’ are kept in such a way that each
touches the other two. The magnitude of the gravitational force on any of the spheres due
to the other two is
4Gm 2 3Gm 2 3 Gm 2 1 Gm 2
a) b) c) d) [ c ]
a2 a2 4 a2 2 a
2

m aa a
a m
F1 F2
a
a
m
Sol:
G.m 2
F1  2
 2a 
G.m 2
F1 
4a 2
G.m 2
F2  2
 2a 
G.m 2
F2 
4a 2
F1  F2
The angle between F1 and F2  60
F  F12  F22  2F1F2 cos   F12  F22  2F1F2 cos 60
1
F  F12  F22  2F1F2   F12  F12  F12  F1  F2 
2
 3F12  3F1
F  3F1
Gm 2
F 3
4a 2
 3 Gm 2
F
4 4a 2
GOLD PACKAGE :
6. Passage :
The force of attraction between any two masses by virtue of their mass is called
gravitational force. The gravitational force of attraction between two particles is directly
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them, acts along the line joining them The gravitational force between
two unit masses separated by unit distance is called universal gravitational constant (G).
G = 6.675×10-11 Nm2 kg 2 .
i) Among the following which is the weakest force of longest range [ c ]
a) Nuclear force b) Electromagnetic force
c) Gravitational force d) All the above
Sol: Gravitational force is long range force and it is weakest among all other basic forces in
nature.
ii) Value of G is [ d ]
a) 6.675 1011 Nm 2 kg 2 b) 6.675 1010 Nm 2 kg 2
c) 6.675 1012 Nm 2 kg 2 d) 6.675 1011 Nm 2 kg 2
Sol: G  6.675 1012 Nm2kg 2
iii) Choose the correct statement [ d ]
1 3 2
a) The dimensional formula for G is  M L T 
b) G is independent of medium
mm
c) F  G 1 2 2 d) All the above
r
mm
Sol: F  G 1 2 2 , G is independent of medium
r
Fr 2
G
m1m 2
MLT 2  L2
 D.F of G 
M2
  M 1L3T 2 
iv) Because of the small value of G, the gravitational force is considerable only [ c ]
a) When two masses are too small b) when two masses are too large
c) When one of the masses is too big d) both a and b
Sol: The value of ‘G’ is very small, Force is considerable when one of the masses is too big.
7. Two particles of masses 1kg and 2kg are placed at a separation of 50cm.Assuming that
the only forces acting on the particles are their mutual gravitation. The initial
accelerations of the two particles are [ b ]
10 2 10
a) 610 ms and 8.710 m/s
2 10 2  10 2
b) 5.3  10 ms and 2.65  10 m/s
c) 1.57  10 10 ms 2 and 3.4  10 10 m/s 2 d) 1.67  10 10 ms 2 and 1.08  10 10 m/s 2
Sol: m1   1kg
m 2   2kg
r  50cm  50  10 –2  m  
 0.5m
G  6.675 10 –11  Nm2  Kg –2
mm
F  G 12 2
r
1 2
 F  6.675 1011  2
 0.5
2
 F  6.675  1011 
0.25
267
6675  2  1011 100
F
251 10 00
F  534  10 –2
F  5.34 10 –10  N
F
a1 
m1
5.34  10 10
a1 
1
a1  5.34  10 10 m/s 2
F
a2 
m2
2.67
5.34  10 10

2
a 2  2.67  10 10 m/s 2
PLATINUM PACKAGE :
8. A space probe is fired from the earth towards the sun, how far from the earth will the
sun’s gravitational pull on the probe balance the earth’s pull? (Mass of the sun
m s  2  1030 kg , mass of the earth m e  6  1024 kg , distance between the earth and sun)
r  1.5  1011 m
 a) 9  1010 m b) 2.6  10 8 m c) 1.2  10 8 m d) 7  108 m [ b ]
Sol: let the mass of the space probe = m
Let us take the gravitational force balance at a distance x from earth.
m  me
Fe  G. 2
 x
m  ms
Fs  G. 2
r  x
Fs  Fe

r-x

r m

me

m  me m  ms
G.  G.
x 2
r  x2
me ms
 
x 2
 r  x 2
2
 me  r  x   ms  x 2
2
 63  10 24   r  x   2  10 30  x 2
6

3 x2
 
10 6  r  x  2
2 2
 3  x 
 10 3    r  x 
 
x 3
  3
r  x 10
103 x  3r  3x
1000 x  3r  3x
1000 x  3r  3 x
 
x 1000  3  3r   r  1.5  1011

 3r
x
1000  3
3  1.5  1011
x
1000  3
1.732  1.5  1011
x
1000  1.732
2.6  1011
x
10 3
x  2.6 108
9. Four particles with mass m, 2m, 3m & 4m are placed at the four corners of a square of
edge ‘a’. The gravitational force acting on a particle of mass m placed at the center is[ d ]
Gm 2 Gm 2 Gm 2 Gm 2
a) 3 b) 2 c) d) 4 2
a2 a2 a2 a2
Gm 2 Gm 2
Sol: F1  2 ; F2  4
a2 a2
Gm 2 Gm 2
F3  6 F4  8
a2 a2
2 2
F  F3  F1    F4  F2    90
Gm 2 2 2
F  6  2   8  4
a2
Gm 2
 42  4 2
a2
Gm 2
F4 2
a2
4m a
3m
a a
F4 2 2
F3
a a a
2 a F2
F1
2

1m a 2m
10. A tunnel is dug along a diameter of the earth. The force on a particle of mass m placed in
the tunnel at a distance x from the center is [ a ]
GMm GMm GMm GMm 3
a) 3
x b) 2
x c) 2
d) R
R R R x x
Sol: now depth of particle d  R  x ;
 d
we know g d  g 1  
 R

R m
x
C

 d
F  mg d F  mg 1  
 R
R  d
F  mg  
 R 
 R  R  x
F  mg  
 R 
x
 F  mg  
R
Gm x  Gm 
F  m  2   g  2 
R R R 
GMm
F x
R3
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT –II
1. Pick up the correct one from the following statements about the variation of the
gravitational field strength of the earth [ c ]
a) It increases when we go above the surface of the earth
b) It increases when we go below the surface of the earth
c) Its magnitude is maximum at the surface of the earth
d) It is independent of distance from centre of the earth
Sol: Gravitational field strength
GM
I 2
r
1
 I  M&I  2
r
1
I decreases as we go above the earth  I  2
r
I decreases as we go below the earth I  effective mass of earth
 I is maximum at the surface
2. The unit of gravitational intensity is [ b ]
1 1
a) N b) Nkg c) kgms d) Nkg
F
Sol: I  S.I unit is N/kg  or  Nkg 1
m
3. The intensity of the gravitational field of the earth is maximum at [ c ]
a) Center of the earth b) Equator c) Poles d) Same everywhere
GM
Sol: I 2
r
At poles R is minimum
Earth is bulged at equator and flattened at poles
Poles

rp rp  re
equator
re

 I is maximum
4. Consider the earth as a homogeneous sphere, scientist ‘A’ goes down in a mine and
scientist ‘B’ goes high up in a balloon. The gravitational field measured by [ d ]
a) A goes on decreasing and that by B goes on increasing
b) B goes on decreasing and that by A goes on increasing
c) Each goes on increasing d) Each goes on decreasing
GM
Sol: I 2
r
 For A : I  M , If A goes down into the earth, effective mass  is decreases, So ‘I’
decreases
1
For B : I  2 , If B goes up, r increases, So I decreases
r
5. The net force on a test mass m0 in a gravitational field is the product of m0 at that point
and
a) Gravitational field strength b) Gravitational force [ a ]
c) Gravitational energy d) Gravitational constant
Sol: we know from concept
F
Gravitational Intensity I   F  m0 I
m0
6. Assertion (A) :The value of acceleration due to gravity does not depend upon mass of
the body
Reason (R) : Acceleration due to gravity is a constant quantity at a particular place.[ b ]
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is correct, but R is not correct d) A is not correct, but R is correct
GM
Sol: (A) : Acceleration due to gravity g  2 , It doesn’t depends on the mass of the body
R
(B): At a particular place ‘g’ is constant.
7. Assertion (A):A person sitting in an artificial satellite revolving around the earth feels
weightless.
Reason (R) : There is no gravitational force on the satellite [ c ]
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is correct, but R is not correct d) A is not correct, but R is correct
Sol: (A) : Apparent weight of a person in a satellite is zero, so the person in the satellite feels
weightless. Due to lack of Support force or Normal reaction
(B): The necessary centripetal force is provided by the Gravitational force, to make the
satellite to revolve around the earth
SILVER PACKAGE
1. Suppose the earth was a hollow sphere, the intensity of gravitational field inside it would
be [ d ]
a) 9.8 Nkg1 b) More than 9.8 Nkg1
c) Less than 9.8 Nkg1 but not zero d) Zero
Sol: Inside the Hollow Sphere, effective mass is zero so the gravitational field inside is zero.
2. The mass of the moon is 7.34  10 22 Kg and the radius is 1.74 106 m . The gravitational
field strength at its surface is [ d ]
 a) 1.45 Nkg 1 b) 1.55 Nkg 1 c) 1.75 Nkg 1 d) 1.62 Nkg 1
Sol: m  7.34  10 22 Kg
r  1.74  106 m
G  6.675 1011 Nm2Kg2
GM 6.675  1011  7.34  1022
I 
r2 1.74 106 
2

48.9945  1011
 12
 16.18  10 1
3.0276  10
 1.618N/kg
=1.62N/kg
3. The magnitude of gravitational field at distance r1 &r2 from the center of a uniform solid
sphere of radius R and mass M are F1 &F2 respectively, then (MAQ) [a, c ]
F1 r1 F1 r1
 if r1  R and r2  R  if r1  R and r2  R
a) F2 r2 b) F2 r2
F1 r22 F1 r12
 2 if r1  R and r2  R  2 if r1  R and r2  R
c) F2 r1 d) F2 r2
Sol: We know for a solid sphere of radius R
Gravitational field strength I
1) at centre I = 0
GM
2) r  R (inside the sphere) I  3 .r
R
GM
3) r = R (on the surface) I  2
R
GM
4) r  R (out side the sphere) I  2
r
Using this information
Let us evaluate the given options
Option (a) r1  R, r2  R
GM GM
Then F1  3
.r1 , F2  3 .r2
R R
F r
So we get 1  1
F2 r2
Option (b) r1  R, r2  R
GM GM
Then F1  2
, F2  2
r1 r2
 F1 r22
We get 
F2 r12
F1 r2
But it is given incorrectly that 
F2 r1
Option (c) r1  R and r2  R
GM GM
Then F1  2
, F2  2
r1 r2
F1 r22
We get 
F2 r12
Option (d) if r1  R, r2  R
GM GM
Then F1  3
.r1 , F2  3 .r2
R R
F1 r1 F r2
We get  but it is given incorrectly as 1  12
F2 r2 F2 r2
GOLD PACKAGE :
4. Passage :
Read the following table

Gravitational field Field at center Field at r  a Field at r  a Field at r  a

Hollows hell of mass

GM GM
0 0
M and radius a a a2 r2

Solid sphere of mass GM

GM GM
0 r r
M and radius a a a3 a2 r2

M
a
o
2a

A uniform solid sphere of mass ‘M’ and radius ‘a’ is surrounded symmetrically by a
uniform thin spherical shell of equal mass and radius 2a, then answer the following.
 3
i) The magnitude of gravitational field at a distance a from the centre [ b ]
2
3GM 4GM GM 3GM
2
a) a b) 9a
2
c) 3a
2
d) a2

Ma
o
2a
Sol:
3
r a
2
Gravitational field is only due to solid sphere
 I  Is  IH
GM
 0
r2
GM 4 GM
 2

3  9 a2
 2 a
 
5
ii) The magnitude of gravitational field at a distance a from the centre [ b ]
2
5GM 8GM 9GM 2GM
2
a) a b) 25a
2
c) 2a
2
d) a2
5
Sol: r a
2
Gravitational field is due to Both solid and hollow sphere
 I  Is  IH
GM GM
  2
r2 r
GM
2 2
r
GM 8 GM
2 2

5  25 a 2
2 a
 
7
iii) The magnitude of gravitational field at a distance a from the centre [ c ]
2
4GM 4GM 8GM 6GM
a) 2
b) 2
c) 2
d)
49a 7a 49a 7a 2
 7
Sol: r a
2
Gravitational field is due to both solid & hollow sphere
 I  Is  IH
GM GM
  2
r2 r
GM
2 2
r
GM 8 GM
2 2

7  49 a 2
 a
2 
a
iv) The magnitude of gravitational field at a distance from the centre [ d ]
2
4GM 4GM 8GM GM
a) 2
b) c) d)
49a 7a 2 49a 2
2a 2
Sol: magnitude of gravitational field at r  a/2
 Gravitational field due to shell + gravitational field due to solid sphere
GM a
 0 3 .
a 2
GM
 2
2a
v) The magnitude of gravitational field at a distance ‘a’ from the centre [ d ]
4GM 4GM GM  a  1 GM
a) 2
b) 2
c) 2
d) 2
49a 7a a a
Sol: Magnitude of gravitational field at distance a from the centre
r=a
 Gravitational field due to shell + gravitational field due to solid sphere
GM a
 0 3 .
a 2
GM
 2
a
5. Assuming that the gravitational potential difference between the surfaces of a planet and
at a point 100 m above is 40 J kg . The work done in moving a mass of 3kg from the
surface to a point 5m above the surface is [ c ]
a) 0.6 J b) 3 J c) 6 J d) 12 J
Sol: U  40 J/Kg
h = 100 m
w
U 
m
 mgh
U 
m
U  gh
U
g
h
2
40
g
10 5 0
2
g m/s 2
5
Now the work done in moving mass of 3 kg from surface to a point h = 5 m
2
m  3Kg h  5m g  m/s 2
5
w = mgh
2
=3  5
5
 w=6J
6. There are two spheres one of mass M, radius R and another of has mass 4 M and radius
2R. The centre to centre distance between them is 12R. The distance from the centre of
smaller sphere where net gravitational field is zero [ c ]
5 3
a) 6R b) R c) 4R d) 2R
2
4M
M
A
C1 R 2R C2
x 12 R  x

12R
Sol:
Let at point A. Which is at a distance x from smaller sphere the net field = 0
Gravitational field of 1st sphere
= G.F of 2 nd sphere
Gm 4 Gm

x 2
12 R  x 2
1 x2

4 12 R  x  2
2 2
 1  x 
 2    12 R  x 
 1 x

2 12 R  x
12R  x  2 x
12R  2x  x
12R  3x
4
12 R
x
3
x  4R

PLATINUM PACKAGE:
7. A uniform metal sphere of radius ‘a’ and mass ‘M’ is surrounded by a thin uniform
spherical shell of equal mass and radius 4a. The centre of the shell falls on the surface of
the inner sphere. Find the gravitational field at the points p1 & p2 shown in the figure [a].

a centre of solid sphere is B

B
A centre of hollow shell is A
4a P1
a

a
P2

GM 61GM GM GM GM GM
a) , b) , c) dR 2 d) ,
16a 2 900a 2 9a 2 7a 2 a 2 3a 2

Sol: At p1  a
The distance of p1 from center is r1
r1  a  4a  a  4a
Gravitational field =
Gravitational due to metal sphere at p1 + Gravitational field due to hollow sphere at p 2
GM GM
 2
0
 4a  16a 2
GM
 field due to solid sphere at a point outside it is
r2
 field due to hollow sphere at a point inside it = 0
 o
4a p1
a
p2
at p 2 ,the distance of P2 from centre is r2  a  4a  a  6a
Gravitational field =
Gravitational due to metal sphere at p 2 + Gravitational field due to hollow sphere at p 2
We know field due to
GM
(i) solid sphere at a point outside it is  2
r
GM
(ii) hollow sphere at a point outside it  2
r
GM G.M
 2
 2
 a  4a  a   4a  a 

GM GM GM  1 1
 2
 2
 2 
 
 6a   5a  a  36 25 
GM  25  36  61GM
 
a 2  900  900a 2
8. Three particles each of mass m are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side
a. The gravitational field intensity at the centroid of the triangle is [ a ]
Gm 2 2Gm2 3Gm2
2 2 2
a) Zero b) a c) a d) a

Sol: In equilateral triangle the centroid lies exactly equidistant from the vertices
A
m

r
pis centeriod
P
r r
m m
B C
GM
Field strength at p due to A is 
r2
 GM
Field strength at p due to B is 
r2
GM
Field strength at p due to C is  2
r
The vector sum of these three field strengths will become zero.
 GRAVITATION
Concept – III
1. The acceleration due to gravity decreases if [a,b,d ]
a) We go down from the surface of the earth towards its centre
b) We go up from the surface of the earth
c) We go from the equator towards the poles
d) The rotational speed of the earth is increased
Sol:  we go down from the surface of the earth towards its centre then g decreases
 d
g1  g 1  
 R
1  2h 
 we go up from the surface of the earth then g  g 1   and g decreases
 R
1 2 2
 we go from the equator to towards the pole then g increase g  g  R cos 
1 2 2
 The rotational speed of the earth is increased g decreases g  g  R cos 
2. Among the following statements, the true statements (s) is /are [ d ]
a) g is less at the earth’s surface than at a height above or at a depth below
b) g is same at all places on the surface of the earth
c) g has its maximum value at the equator
d) g is greater at the poles than at the equator
Sol: g1  g  R 2cos2
At equator g E  g  R 2   0  cos 0  1
At poles g p  g   90  cos90  1
3. The acceleration due to gravity (on the earth) depends upon [ c ]
a) Size of the body b) Gravitational mass of the body
c) Gravitational mass of the earth d) Gravitational force of sun
GM
Sol: g  2 Where M – gravitational mass of Earth.
R
4. If the earth stops revolving in its orbit about the sun there will be variation in the weight
of the bodies at
a) Equator b) Latitude c) Poles d)No where [ d ]
Sol: ‘g’ value depends on the self rotation
5. An iron ball and cork ball of the same radius are released from the same height in
vacuum both of them reach the ground simultaneously. It is because [ a ]
a) Acceleration due to gravity is independent of the mass of falling bodies.
b) Acceleration due to gravity in vacuum is independent of the size of the bodies
c) In vacuum, the acceleration due to gravity is zero
d) In vacuum, there is no resistance to the motion of the balls.
 GM
Sol: g , Acceleration due to gravity is independent of the mass of falling bodies .
R2
6. Assertion (A): If earth suddenly stops rotating about its axis, then the value of
acceleration due to gravity will become same at all the places [ c ]
Reason (R): The value of acceleration due to gravity is independent of rotation of earth
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: g1  g  R 2cos
If earth stops   0
 g1  g . So ‘g’ is same at all places, the value of g depends on rotation of earth
7. Assertion (A): The universal gravitational constant is same everywhere .Whereas
acceleration due to gravity changes from place to place. [ b ]
Reason (R): Gravitational constant and acceleration due to gravity have different
dimensional formula
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
GM
Sol: g 2
R
G is a universally constant. But g is depends on Mass and Radius of the planet
 D.F of G is  M 1L3T 2  & g is LT 2 
8. Assertion (A) : A body becomes weightless at the centre of earth. [ c ]
Reason (R) : As distance from centre of earth decreases, acceleration due to gravity
increases
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
 d
Sol: g1  g 1  
 R
If d  R
 R
 g1  g 1    0
 R
 g  effective mass
 at the centre of the earth weight of the body is zero.
The distance from center of earth decreases the acceleration due to gravity decreases.
9. The acceleration due to gravity would be half its value at sea level at an altitude [ ]
a) R b) 2R c)  
2 1 R d)  
2 1 R
 GM
Sol: gh 
 R  h 2
g
gh 
2
g GM
 
2  R  h 2
g gR 2
  ( GM  gR 2 )
2  R  h 2
1 R2
 
2  R  h2
2
1  R 

2  R  h 
R 1
 
Rh 2
2R  R  h
2R  R  h
h   2 1 R 
10. If the earth suddenly stops rotating, the value of g at the equator [ c ]
a) Decreases b) Remain unchanged c) Increases d) Becomes zero
Sol: g  g  R 2 cos 
at equator   0° normally
g value at equator g e  g
ge  g  R 2
if   0
ge  g
if earth stops rotation then g e will increase to g i.e. ge  g
‘g’ value increase
11. If the change in the value of ‘g’ at height ‘h’ above the surface of the earth is same as at a
depth ‘x’ below it, then (both x and h being much smaller than the radius of the earth)
[ b ]
2
a) x = h b) x = 2h c) x  h/2 d) x  h
Sol: Above the earth below the earth
 2h   d
 g1  g 1   g1  g 1   dx
 R  R
 2hg  gx
g1  g  g1  g 
R R
2hg  gx
g1  g  g1  g 
R R
2h g gx
 
R R
x  2h
12. The acceleration due to gravity near the surface of a planet of radius R and density d is
proportional to
d d
a) 2 b) dR 2 c) dR d) [ c ]
R R
GM
Sol: g 2
R
M
density d 
V
M is mass & V is volume
4
V   R3
3
4
 d  R3
3
4
Gd  R 3
g 3
R2
g  dR
13. The acceleration due to gravity at pole and equator can be related as [ d ]
a) g p  g e b) g p  g e  g c) g p  g e  g d) g p  g e
Sol: g  g  R 2 cos 2 
ge  g  R 2   0  cos 0  1
g p  g  0   90  cos 90  0 
g
 g p  ge
14. Two planets of radii R1 &R 2 are made up of the same material. The ratio of acceleration
due to gravity at the surfaces of the two planets is [ a ]
2 2
R1 R2 R  R 
a) b) c)  1  d)  2 
R2 R1  R2   R1 
 4
G.d  R 3
GM 3
Sol: g 2 
R R2
4
g  G.d  R 3
3
g  R  d1  d 2 
g1 R1
 
g2 R2
SILVER PACKAGE
1. Let ge and g p be the accelerations due to gravity on the earth and on a planet respectively.
The radius of the planet as well as its mass twice that of the earth. The correct relation
among the following is [ d ]
a) g p  4g e b) g p  2g e c) g e  4g p d) g e  2g p
GM
Sol: g 
R2
GM
ge  2 e
Re
GM P
gp 
R 2P
M p  2M e , R p  2R e
G.2M e
gp  2
 2R e 
G. 2 M e
gp 
42 R 2e
1 GM e
gp 
2 R 2e
1
gp  ge
2
g e  2g p
2. If the density of the earth is doubled keeping its radius constant then acceleration due to
gravity will be [ d ]
2 2 2 2
a) 2.45ms b) 4.9ms c) 9.8ms d) 19.6ms
4
Sol: g   G.d  R
3
g d
 g1 d1

g2 d2
d2  2d1
g1 d
 1
g 2 2d1
g1 1

g2 2
g2  2g1
 g2  2  9.8
g 2    19.6m / s 2
3. Planet x is twice the radius of planet y and is of material of same density. The ratio of
acceleration due to gravity at the surface of x to that at the surface of y is [ c ]
a) 1: 4 b) 1: 2 c) 2 :1 d) 4 :1
Sol: R x  2R y
4
g  G  .d  R
3
g R
gx R x

gy Ry

g x 2 Ry

gy Ry
g x : g y  2 :1
4. If the value of g at the surface of the earth is 9.8ms 2 then the value of g at a place 480
km above the surface of the earth will be (radius of earth = 6400 km) [ c ]
2 2 2 2
a) 4.2 ms b) 7.2 ms c) 8.5ms d) 9.8ms
Sol: g  9.8ms2 ,h  480 km, R  6400km
 2h 
g1  g 1    h  R 
 R
 2  480 
 g 1  
 6400 
 3 
 g 1  
 20 
 9.8 1  0.15 
 9.8  0.85
  8.33  8.5ms2
1
5. The depth d at which the value of acceleration due to gravity becomes times the value
n
at surface is (R = radius of earth) [ b ]
R R  n  1 R n
a) b) c) d) R
n n n2  n  1
1
Sol: g d  g
n
g
gd 
n
 d
gd  g 1  
 R
g  d
 g 1  
n  R
1 d
 1
n R
d 1
 1
R n
d n 1

R n
 n 1 
d R
 n 
GOLD PACKAGE :
6. Passage :
Planet has density  , radius R and acceleration due to gravity as g. Then answer the
following.
i) If the radius of the planet were doubled, keeping the density same, the acceleration due to
gravity at the surface will be [ b ]
g
a) 4g b) 2g c) g d)
2
Sol: R  2R
If  is constant
gR
g1 R 1

g2 R2
R 1  R, R 2  2R, g1  g , g 2  ?
 g1 1

g2 2
 g 2  2g
ii) If the density of the planet were doubled keeping the radius same the acceleration due to
gravity at the surface will be [ b ]
g
a) 4g b) 2g c) g d)
2
Sol:   2
R is same
 g  2g
4
We know g    RG
3
4
g|   2  RG
3
g 1
Then 1 
g2 2
 g |  2g
iii) The relation between, radius R, acceleration due to gravity g is [ a ]
4 4 4 G 4
a)  GR b)  GR 2 c)  d)  GR3
3 3 3 R 3
GM
Sol: g 2
R
4
G.d  R 3 .
g 3
R2
4
g  G.d  R
3
4
 g   G R
3
iv) To maintain g value at the surface of the planet even the density  is doubled we have to
a) Double the radius b) Reduce the radius to one third [ d ]
c) Increase the radius by two times d) Reduce to one half of the radius
4
Sol: g   GR
3
g  R
1

R
  2 R1
 
1 R 2
2 R

 R2
R
R2 
2
7. Passage :
Two planets 'A' and 'B' have same radius are shown
In the figure. 1 and 1 are densities of the materials in the planets .
If the accelerations due to gravity on the surfaces of the planets A and B are gA and gB
respectively, Then answer the following.

2 1 2
1

''A'' ''B''
i) When both the planets are having same mass and same radius, and 1  2 , then relation
between g A and g B [ a ]
a) gA  gB b) gA  g B c) Data is insufficient d) gA  gB
GM
Sol: g
R2
If MA  MB & R A  R B
 gA  gB
ii) When both the planets are having same mass and same radius, and 1  2 , then relation
between gA and gB [ b ]
a) gA  g B b) gA  gB c) gA  gB d) Data is insufficient
GM
Sol: g
R2
If MA  MB & R A  R B
 gA  gB
iii) When both the planets are having same mass and same radius, and 1  2 , then relation
between gA and gB [ c ]
a) Data is insufficient b) gA  gB c) gA  gB d) gA  g B
 GM
Sol: g
R2
If MA  MB & R A  R B
 gA  gB
8. The diameter of a planet is 4 times that of the earth and its mean density is equal to that
of earth. If the acceleration due to gravity on the earth surface is 9.8 ms 2 , the acceleration
due to gravity on the planet surface is [ d ]
2 2 2 2
a) 4.9 ms b) 9.8 ms c) 19.6 ms d)  39.2 ms
Sol: d p  4 de
R p  4 Re
 P  e
4
g   GR
3
gR
gP RP

ge Re
RP
gP   ge
Re
4 Re
gP   9.8
Re
gP  4  9.8
g P  39.2 m / s 2
9. If the mass of earth is 80 times that of moon and diameter is double that of moon and g
on the surface of earth is 9.8 ms2 . Then the value of g on the moon is [ a ]
2 2 2 2
a) 0.49 ms b) 0.98 ms c) 4.9 ms d) 49 ms
Sol: Me  80 Mm
de  2dm
Re  2Rm
ge  9.8 m / s 2
GM
g
R2
M
g 2
R
 g e M e 1 Rm2
   M e  80Mm 
g m M m 4 R 2m
g e 80M m

g m 4M m
ge
  20
gm
9.8
gm 
20
g m  0.49m/s 2
10.. Radius of planet A is twice that of planet B and the density of A is one third that of B.
The ratio of the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of A to that at the surface of B is
[ a ]
a) 2 : 3 b) 3 : 2 c) 3 : 4 d) 4 : 3
Sol: R A  2R B
1
dA  d B
3
4
g  G.  .R.d
3
g  R.d
gA R A dA
  
gB R B dB
1
d
gA 2 R B 3 B
  
gB RB dB
gA 2

gB 3
gA : gB  2 : 3
11. At what altitude in meter will the acceleration due to gravity be 25% of that at the earth
surface (radius of earth is R) [ b ]
1 3 1
a) R b) R c) R d) R
4 8 2
Sol: gh  25%g  g/4
GM
gh 
(R  h) 2
g GM  GM 
   g  2 
4  R  h 2  R 
 GM GM
 2
 2
4R R  h
2
  R  h   4R 2
R  h  2R
hR

Platinum package
12. At the depth below the surface of the earth, acceleration due to gravity g will be half its
value at 1600 km above the surface of the earth is [ a ]
6 6 6 7
a) 4.2  10 m b) 3.2  10 m c) 1.59  10 m d) 10 m
g
Sol: g h 
 
2
1  h 
 R 
 h  1000 km, R  6400 km
h 1
We get 
R 4
g

 1 
2
1  
 4 
16 g
gh 
25
g
gd  h
2
 d 8
g 1   g
 R  25
8 d
1 
25 R
17R
d
25
d  4.352  10 6 m
R
13. The acceleration due to gravity at a height from the surface is 9ms 2 . Its value at a
20
point, at an equal distance below the surface of the earth is [ c ]
a) 8.563ms 2 b) 8.832ms 2 c) 9.426ms 2 d)  9.5ms 2
R
Sol: g at a height h  is equal to  9 ms 2
20
We know
  2h 
g h  g 1  
 R 
 2 R
9  g 1   
 R 20 
9g
g
10
g  10 m/s2 When g is value at surface
On surface
R
Now we are asked to find g value at same distance i.e., d  below surface
20
 d
gd  g  1  
 R
 R 1
g d  10 1   
 20 R 
 1 
g d  10  1  
 20 
19
gd  10 
20
 g d  9.5m/s 2
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT-IV
1. A body of mass M is raised from the surface of the earth to an altitude equal to the radius
of the earth. The potential energy gained by the body will be [ a ]
MgR 3MgR
a) b) MgR c) 2 MgR d)
2 2
Sol: Given,
M
h
earth m
Here m is mass of earth M is mass of body
GMm Mm
U1   U f  G h=R
R Rh
GMm Mm
Uf    G
RR 2R
U  U f  Ui
Mm Mm GMm  2GMm
 G G 
2R R 2R
GMm  Gm 
 g  2 
2R  R 
gR 2  M MgR
 
2R 2
2. If R is the radius of the earth and g is acceleration due to gravity on the earth surface, the
mean density of the earth is [ c ]
4 G 3 R 3g 4RG
a) b) c) d)
3 gR 4 gG 4 RG 3 g
Sol: we are given radius of earth = R
Acceleration due to gravity = g
Mean density = d
we know the relation
4
g  G  Rd
3
3g
d
4 G R
3. The gravitational potential energy of a body at a distance r from the centre of the earth is
U. Its weight at a distance R from the centre of the earth is [ b ]
Ur Ur Ur 2
a) b) 2 c) d) None of these
R R R2
Sol: we know let m is the mass of body
 M is mass of earth
Mm
UG
r
Ur
m , now w  mg
GM
Ur GM
= 
GM R 2
Ur
 2
R
4. A body of mass ‘m’ is taken to a height ‘h’ equal to the radius of the earth. It’s potential
energy is
 mgR  mgR
a) 2mgR b)  mgR c) d) [ c ]
2 4
Sol: Given,
m
h=R

M
Consider a body of mass m on the surface of earth its
GMm
Ui 
R
GM
But g  2
R
GM  gR 2
gR 2 m
Ui 
R
U i   mgR
When its taken to height h = R
GMm GMm
Uf  
R  h 2R
 GM  gR 2
gR 2 m mgR
Uf  
2R 2

SILVER PACKAGE

1. The gravitational potential energy of a body of mass m at the earth surface is  mgR e . Its
gravitational potential energy at a height Re from the earth surface will be (here Re is the
radius of the earth)
 1 1
a) 2mgR e b) 2mgRe c) mgR e d)  mgR e [ d ]
2 2
GMm
Sol: U   h  Re
Rh
GMm
U
R  Re
GMm
 R  Re
2R e
GM
g G.M  gR e2
R e2
gR e2 m gmR e
U 
2R e 2
2. The gravitational potential at centre of earth is [ b ]
2GM 3GM 3GM GM
a)  b)  c) d) 
R 2R 2R 2R
Sol: We know gravitational potential energy of mass m kept at centre of earth is
3GMm
G.P.E 
2R
Now gravitational potential
3GMm
G.P.E 2R
U 
m m
3GM
U 
2R
3. Two particles each of mass 1kg are separated by a distance of 1m in a gravitational field.
The work done to increase the separation between them to 2m is [ b ]
G G
a) G b) c) d) 2G
2 4
Sol: m1  1kg m2  1kg r1  1m r2  2m
m1m2
U1  G
r1
1 1
 G   G
1
mm
U 2  G 1 2
r2
1 1 G
 G  
2 2
 W  U2  U1
G G
 G 
2 2
4. Energy required to move a body of mass m from an orbit of radius 2R to 3R is [ b ]
GMm GMm GMm GMm
a) 2
b) c) 2
d)
12R 6R 3R 8R
Sol: r1  2R r2  3R m1   M m2   m
Mm Mm
U1  G U 2  G
2R 3R
U  U2  U1
Mm Mm 2GMm  3GMm
 G G 
3R 2R 6R
GMm

6R

GOLDEN PACKAGE :
5. A body of mass m is taken from the surface of earth to a height n R above the surface
where R is the radius of the earth and n is an integer. The change in the potential energy
of the body is

a)
 n  1 mgR b)
n
c) nmgR d)
nmgR
[ b ]
mgR
n  n  1 2
Sol: Given that a body of mass m is at surface
GMm GM
So G.P.E U i   mgR g  2
R R
Now it is taken to h = nR
Now
GMm GMm GM
G.P.E U f   g  2
 R  nR  R 1  n  R
 gR 2 m

R 1  n 
mgR

1  n 
Now change in G.P.E  U f  U i
mgR  n 
U   mgR    mgR
n 1  n 1 
6. A body of mass m is taken to a height R from the surface of the earth and then is given
horizontal velocity V, the minimum value of V so that the body never returns to the
surface of the earth (radius of earth is R and mass of the earth M). [ b ]
GM GM 2GM GM
a) b) c) d)
4R R R 2R
Sol: when a body of mass m is taken to height h = R
GMm GMm
G.P.E  
Rh 2R
Now it should be given enough K.E
Such that it should never return
i.e.
1
K.E  mv 2  its G.P.E at R altitude
2
1 GMm
mv 2 
2 2R
GM
v
R
PLATINUM PACKAGE :
7. The radius of the earth is R and acceleration due to gravity at its surface is g. If a body of
R
mass m is sent to a height of from the earth’s surface, the potential energy is [ c ]
4
mgR mgR mgR mgR
a) b) c) d)
3 4 5 16
Sol: we know
Mgh R
P.E  h
h 4
1
R
Note : here P.E is referring the gravitational potential energy possessed by the body from
surface of earth not from centre of earth
P.E & G.P.E are not same.
R
Mg  
P.E  4
R
1 4
R
MgR
 R 
4  1+ 
 4R 
 mgR mgR mgR
  
 1 5 5
4 1   4  
 4 4
8. Three particles each of mass M are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side
‘l’. The force due to this system of particles on another particle of mass m placed at the
mid point of any side is
3GMm 4GMm GMm 4GMm
a) 2
b) 2
c) 2
d) [ b ]
4l 3l 4l l2
Mm Mm Mm
Sol: F1  G 2
F2   G 2
F3  G 2
l l  3l 
     
2 2  2 
4 GMm
F3 
3 l2
  
F  F1  F2  F3
  
 F1  F2  F3
 0  F3
M

l 3
l l
2

F1 F2
M l m M
l
2 2

4 GMm
F
3 l2
9. Three particles each of mass m are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side
b. The gravitational potential energy of the system of particles will be [ c ]
3Gm 2 Gm 2 3Gm 2 Gm 2
a) b) c) d)
2b 2b b b
 GMm
Sol: U 
M
 Gm1m 2 Gm1m 3 Gm 2 m 3 
    
 b12 b13 b 23 
m1  m2  m3
 Gm 2 Gm 2 Gm 2 
U     
 b b b 
 Gm 2
 3
b
m3

b b

m1 b m2
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT-V
1. The unit of gravitational potential is [ b ]
a) joule b) joule/kg c) joule kg d) kg
Sol: Gravitational potential
Gm
V
r
Nm 2 kg 2  kg Nm
S.I unit =  Nmkg 1   J/kg
m kg
2. Assertion (A) : For a system of masses at some finite distance gravitational field can be
zero but gravitational potential cannot. [ a ]
Reason (R) : Gravitational field is a vector quantity where as potential is a scalar quantity
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: Gravitational field is a vector quantity, therefore vector sum may be zero. But
gravitational potential is a scalar quantity, so algebric sum of potentials may not zero.
3. Assertion (A) :Gravitational potential of earth at every place on it is negative [ a ]
Reason (R) : Everybody on earth is bound by the attraction of earth
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: Gravitational potential of earth at every place on it is negative, because Everybody on
earth is bound by the attraction of earth. We take P.E defined against force of attraction
as negative
4. Work done in carrying a mass from one point to another in a gravitational field depends
on
a) The length of the path b) The end points only [ b ]
c) Both (a) and (b) d) The velocity of mass
Sol: Gravitational force is a conservative force so work done by the gravitational force is
independent of path length and depends on end points only.
5. A uniform spherical shell gradually shrinks maintaining its shape, the gravitational
potential at the centre of the shell [ b ]
a) Increases b) Decreases c) Remains constant d) Oscillates
GM
Sol: Gravitational potential due to spherical shell at the center is VC 
a
Where a – radius.
SILVER PACKAGE
1. If V is the gravitational potential on the surface of the earth then its value at the centre of
earth is
a) 2V b) 3V c) 3/2 V d) 2/3 V [ c ]
GM
Sol: V  
R
3 GM
VC  
2 R
3
VC  V
2
2. A body of mass M is placed at the centre of a uniform spherical shell of equal mass and
radius ‘a’. The gravitational potential at a point ‘p’ at a distance a/2 from the centre is[ a ]
3GM 2GM 4GM
a)  b) 0 c) d)
a a a
Sol: Gravitational potential at the point P due to the particle at the centre is
GM 2GM
V1    R  a/2
R a
GM
Gravitational potential at ‘p’ due to spherical shall is V2  
a
V  V1  V2
2GM GM 3GM
  
a a a
k
3. The gravitational field due to a mass distribution is E  in the x - direction (k is a
x3
constant).Taking the gravitational potential to be zero at infinity. Its value at a distance x
is [ b ]
k k k k
a) b) c) 2 d) 2
x 2x x 2x
Sol: The potential at a distance x is
x
x x K  K  K
V  x    Edx    3
dx   2   2
  x  2 x  2x
GOLD PACKAGE :
4. Passage – I :
Three particles each of mass m are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side
r, Then answer the following.
m

r r

m r m
i) The magnitude of the gravitational force on any one particle due to others two is [ b ]
3Gm2 3Gm2 Gm 2 Gm 2
a) b) c) d)
2r 2 r2 r2 2r 2
m
B

r r
F1

A C
m r m
F2
Sol:
Gmm Gm 2
Force acting on ‘A’ due to B is F1   2 F
r2 r
Gmm Gm 2
Force acting on A due to C is F2   2 F
r2 r
FR  F12  F22  2F1F2 cos 60    60 
1
 F12  F22  2 F2
2
Gm 2
 3F2  3F  3
r2
ii) The magnitude of gravitational field at the centroid O of the triangle is [ a ]
Gm 2Gm Gm
a) 0 b) 2 c) 2
d) 2
3r 3r r
m
B

x
r r
I3
I2
x O
I1 x C
A m
m r
Sol:
Gravitational field at ‘o’
Gm
I1  I 2  I3  2  I
x
Resultant of I 2 & I3 is
I R  I 22  I23  2I 2 I3 cos 

I R  I 2  I2  2I 2 cos12
 2I 2  2I2  1/2 
  I2  I
 magnitude of I 3 & I R is same but acting in opposite direction
 gravitational field at the centroid is zero.
iii) The magnitude of gravitational potential at the centroid O of the triangle is [ d ]
3Gm Gm 3 3Gm
a) 0 b) c) d)
r 3r r
m
B

x
r r

x O
A x C
m D r/2 m

Sol: r
Gravitational potential at ‘0’
GM
Due to v1  v 2  v3  V
x
Net potential is V  v1  v2  v3
 GM GM GM
  
x x x
3GM 3GM 3 3GM
  
x r/ 3 r
In BDC
r2
BD 2  r 2 
4
3
BD  r
2
2
BD  BD
3
2 3
x  r
3 2
r
x
3
5. Passage - II:
 Gravitational potential at potential at potential at potential at
potential center ra ra ra

Hollows hell of mass

GM GM GM GM
a a a a r
M and radius a

Solid sphere of mass 3GM GM GM

GM
a 2a 
2a 3
3a 2  r 2  a r
M and radius a

A uniform solid sphere of mass ‘M’ and radius ‘a’ is surrounded symmetrically by a
uniform thin spherical shell of equal mass and radius 2a, then answer the following.
M
a
o
2a

3
i) The magnitude of gravitational potential at a distance r  a from the centre [ d ]
2
7GM 4GM GM 7GM
a) b) c) d)
9a 9a 9a 6a

Ma
o
2a
Sol:
3
r a
2
Gravitational potential V  VS  VH
GM  GM 
  
r  2x 
GM GM
 
3/2a 2a
GM  2 1 
 
a  3 2 
 GM  4  3 

a  6 
7 GM

6 a
ii) The magnitude of gravitational potential at centre ‘o’ [ a ]
2GM GM 3GM 3GM
a) b) c) d)
a a 2a 4a
Sol: Gravitational potential at center
VC  VS  VH
3GM GM
 
2a 2a
4GM

2a
2GM

a
7
iii) The magnitude of gravitational potential at a distance r  a from the centre [ c ]
2
7GM 4GM 4GM 6GM
a) b) c) d)
4a 9a 7a 7a
7
Sol: r a
2
7
Gravitational potential at a is
2
V  VS  VH
GM GM
 
r r
2GM

r
2GM

7
a
2
4 GM

7 a
*6. Let V & E denote the gravitational potential and gravitational field at a point it is possible
to have [ d ]
a) V = 0 & E = 0 b) V  0 & E  0 c) V  0 & E  0 d) V  0 & E  0
Sol: V denote gravitational potential
E denote gravitational field
 Then it is possible to have
i) V  0, E = 0
when we consider an unit mass from a given mass M at a distance r  then we can
have
GM
V
r
GM
E 2
r
ii) V  0 & E  0
it is not possible
(iii) V  0, E  0 is possible in the case of hollow spherical shell we get V at centre is not
zero but E = 0
(iv) V  0and E  0 is always possible in many illustrations
7. The variation of gravitational potential of a hollow sphere of radius R with distance is
correctly depicted as [ c ]

R
V O
r

a) O R r
b)

V
V

R R
O O
r
r
c) d)
Sol: Gravitational potential of a hallow sphere is
 GM
VC  Vin  Vsurface  r  0 & r  R & r  R 
R
GM
Voutside  r  R 
r

R
O
r
1
V
r
8. Infinite number of masses, each of mass m are placed along a straight line at distances of
r, 2r, 4r, 8r,.. from a reference point ‘O’. Magnitude of the gravitational potential at point
O will be [ d ]
Gm Gm 3Gm 2Gm
a) b) c) d)
2r r 2r r
GM GM GM
Sol: V1   V2   V3  
r 2r 4r
V  V1    V2    V3  .........
GM  1 1 
V 1    .....
r  2 4 
 
GM  1   a  2Gm
V  1   S  
r 1    1 r  r
 2
9. Assume g is acceleration due to gravity on earth’s surface, V is gravitational potential, R
is radius of earth. [ a ]
Group - A Group - B
1) At height h = R, value of g p) Decreases by a factor 3/4
2) At depth h = R/2 , value of g q) Decreases by a factor 1/2
3) At height h = R, value of V r) decreases by a factor 3/8
4) At depth h = R/2 , value of V s) Increases by a factor 1/2
a) 1 – p, 2 – q, 3 – s, 4 – r b) 1 – r, 2 – p, 3 – s, 4 – s
c) 1 – s, 2 – r, 3 – s, 4 – p d) 1 – s, 2 – p, 3 – r, 4 – s
GM
Sol: At a height h gh  2
R  h
at a depth d, g d  GM
R  d
R
(1) g at h  R
GM 1 GM
gh  2

 2R  4 R 2
g
 i.e. it gets decrease by 3/4 w.r.to its value on surface
4
g at h  R/2
GM  R
gd  3  R  
R  2
GM R

R3 2
 1 GM g
 
2 R2 2
1
Decreases by factor w.r.to its value on the surface
2
GM
(3) V   on the surface at a height h  R
R
GM 1 GM
V1   
RR 2 R
1
 V   V/2 increases by 1/2 w.r.to its value on the surface
(4)At depth h  R/2
GM
V1   3  3 R 2  h 2 
2R
R
at h 
2
GM  2 R 2 
V1    3R  
2R 3  4 
GM  12R 2  R 2 
V|   
2R 3  4 
11 GM 11
  V
8 R 8
GM
V
R
11
V  V|  V  V
8
3
 V
8
3
It decreases by a factor w.r.to its value at surface
8
10. Four particles each of mass 1kg are at the four corners of square of side 1m. The work
done to remove one of the particles to infinity is [ b ]
2 2 1G
a) 2 2G b)
2

c) 2 2  1 G d) 3G

Sol: When four particles present

Total Gravitational Potential Energy
U1   4G  2G


 G 4  2 
 when three particles present
Total G.P.E
G
U 2    2G 
2
the work done in removing one of the particle is
 U1   U2
G
 4G  2G  2G 
2

=  2G 
G
 G

2 2 1 
2 2
1kg 1m 1kg 1kg

1m 1m 1m

1kg 1m 1kg 1kg 1m 1kg

11. Density of a planet is 2 times that of the earth. Radius of the planet is half of that of the
earth let acceleration due to gravity on the earth’s surface is g, gravitational potential on
the earth’s surface is V, then match the following [ a ]
Group - A Group - B
V
1) Acceleration due to gravity on the p)
2
planet’s surface
2) Gravitational potential on the q) g
surface of the planet
3) Gravitational potential at centre of r) zero
the planet
3V
4) Gravitational field strength at centre s)
4
of the planet
a) 1 – q, 2 – p, 3 – p, 4 – r b) 1 – r, 2 – p, 3 – s, 4 – s
c) 1 – s, 2 – r, 3 – s, 4 – p d) 1 – s, 2 – p, 3 – r, 4 – s

Sol: On earth surface On planet surface

ge  g P  2 
R
Ve  V Rp 
2
e  
Re  R
4
(1) g e   G R
3
4 R
g P   G  2 
3 2
4
  G R
3
gp  g

G  R 3
GM 3 
(2) Ve      G R 2
R R 3
2
 R  R2
Vp    G  2       G  2  
3 2 3 4
1  
    G R 2 
2 3 
1
 Ve
2
V

2
4
G.  R 3 .
3 GM 3 3
(3) Ve   
2 R 2 R
2
3 4 R
Vp   . . G.2   
2 3 2
1 V
  Ve  
2 2
(4)At the center Gravitational field strength is zero.
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT-VI

1. For a satellite in elliptical orbit which of the following quantities does not remain
constant.
a) Angular momentum b) Momentum c) Areal velocity d) Total energy[ b ]
Sol: For elliptical orbit velocity changed due to change in the direction of motion
 Momentum will change, angular momentum and Areal velocity do not change
2. When a satellite is moved from one stable circular orbit to another higher stable circular
orbit, the physical quantity that increases is [ a ]
a) Angular momentum b) Kinetic energy
c) Angular velocity d)Linear orbital speed
Sol: Angular momentum,
L  GMm2  R  h 

L Rh
If satellite moved from lower orbit to higher orbit Angular momentum is increased. But
angular velocity, KE and linear orbital speed decreases
3. Assertion (A): The binding energy of a satellite does not depend upon the mass of satellite
Reason (R): Binding energy is the negative value of total energy of satellite [ d ]
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
GMm
Sol: (A): T.E of the satellite is T.E 
2 R  h 
So it depends on the mass of satellite
(R) : Binding energy is negative, it indicates satellite is bounded by the earth.
4. For a satellite orbiting earth very close to earth surface total energy is [ d ]
GMm
a) Zero b) Greater than zero c) Less than zero d)
2R
GMm
Sol: T.E 
2R  h
Very closed to earth i.e R  h  R
GMm
 T.E 
2R
5. In case of an orbiting satellite if the radius of orbit is decreased then [a,d]
a) Its K.E increased b) Its P.E increased
c) Its mechanical energy decreased d) Its P.E decreased
Sol: If radius is decreased
 GMm
K.E  K.E will increase
2R  h
As radius decreases
 GMm
P.E  then P.E will decrease
Rh
6. When a projectile attains the escape velocity then [ c ]
a) K.E greater than P.E b) P.E greater than K.E
c) Both energies numerically equal d) No relation between them
Sol: when a projectile attains escape velocity v
1 GMm
mv2  0
2 R
1 GMm
Minimum requirement is mv2 
2 R
So K.E, G.P.E have equal numerical values
7. If the sun’s mass suddenly decreases to half of its value then earth’s circular orbit would
become
a) Parabolic b) Elliptical c) Hyperbolic d) Straight [ a ]
Sol: Gravitational P.E suddenly decreases to half and earth K.E will allow it to escape so it
will trace parabolic path.
GMm
8. The total energy of an artificial satellite is given by E  . The negative sign
2r
shows that the satellite is in a [ b ]
a) Parabolic orbit b) Circular or elliptical orbit
c) Hyperbolic orbit d) Circular orbit only
Sol: Negative sign indicates satellite is bounded by the earth, so it is revolved in circular or
elliptical orbit
9. A planet is moving in an elliptical orbit if K, U, E & L respectively for its K.E, G.P.E,
T.E and angular momentum above the centre of force, then [ c ]
a) K is conserved
b) U is always positive
c) E is always negative
d) Magnitude of L is conserved but it’s direction changes continuously.
Sol: Potential Energy is always negative is relevant, remaining all are incorrect
10. A body is launched with a velocity less than escape velocity, the total mechanical energy
is [ b ]
a) Positive b) Negative c) Zero d) May be positive
Sol: If body is launched, less than escape velocity potential energy is greater than K.E so total
energy is - ve
11. The weight of a body at the centre of the earth is [ b ]
a) infinite b) Zero
 c) Slightly less than that at equator d) slightly more than that at equator
1
Sol: At the center of earth g  0
 weight w  0
SILVER PACKAGE
1. If g is the acceleration due to gravity at earth surface and R is the radius of the earth, then
the minimum K.E required to make a body move to infinitely from earth surface is[ c ]
1
a) Infinite b) mgR c) mgR d) 2mgR
2
1
Sol: K.E  mv 2e
2
Ve  2gR
1 2 1

2
 
m. 2gR  m.  2gR   mgR
2
2. A body of mass m is taken from the earth surface to a height equal to the radius R of
earth. If ‘g’ is the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the earth then change in the
P.E of the body is
1 1
a) mgR b) mgR c) mgR d) 2mgR [ b ]
4 2
Sol: P.E  mgR
GMm
P.E f  
Rh
GMm R
 
2R R
GM mR  GM 
   2  g 
R2 2  R 
gmR

2
gmR 1
P.E   mgR  mgR
2 2
3. The ratio of K.E required to be given to a satellite to escape from the earth’s gravity to
the K.E required to be given to its so that it moves in a circular orbit just above the
earth’s surface is [ c ]
a) 2 b) 2 2 c) 2 d) 4
Sol: we know the minimum K.E required to escape a satellite is K.E1  mgR
GMm
And minimum K.E required to revolve the satellite around earth is K.E 
2R  h
K.E1    mgR.
 GMm
K.E 2 
2R  h
GMm R GM mR
   2 
2R R R 2
gmR k
K.E 2   1 2
2 k2
4. A satellite of mass 600kg in a circular orbit is at a height of 2000km above the earth’s
surface. Taking the radius of the earth to be 6400 km and the value of g0 to be 1 N kg1 .
The satellite’s K.E is [ c ]
8 9 10 11
a) 1.22  10 J b) 1.62  10 J c) 1.43  10 J d) 1.78  10 J
Sol: h  2000 Km  2  10 6 m
R  6400 Km  6.4  10 6 m
m = 600 Kg
M  6 1024  Kg
We know K.E of orbiting satellite
GMm
K.E 
2R  h
6.675  10 11  6 10 24  600
K.E 
2  6.4 106  2 106 
K.E  1.431010 J
5. When a satellite going round the earth in a circular orbit of radius r and with a velocity v,
it losses some of its energy. [ c ]
a) Both r and v increase b) Both r and v decrease
c) r decreases, but v increases d) r increases, but v decreases
Sol: As satellite losses its total energy. Its radius will decreases and V increase
6. Two identical satellites are orbiting at a distance R & 7R from the surface of the earth, R
being the radius of the earth. The ratio of their [a,b,c ]
a) K.E’s is 4 :1 b) P.E’s is 4 :1 c) T.E’s is 4 :1 d) T.E’s is 1:1
Sol: (i) h1  R, h 2  7R
GMm GMm
K.E1  , K.E 2 
2R  R  2  R  7R 
K1 16
 4
K2 4
K1 : K 2  4 :1
GMm GMm
(ii) P.E1  , P.E 2 
RR R  7R
 P1 8 R 4
 
P2 2 R 1
P1 : P2  4 :1
GMm
(iii) T.E 
2R  h 
GMm
T.E1 
4R
GMm GMm
T.E 2  
2  R  7R  16R
T.E1 4

T.E 2 1
GOLD PACKAGE :
7. Assertion (A) : For the planet orbiting around the sun angular speed, linear speed, K.E
changes with time but angular momentum remains constant [ a ]
Reason (R): No torque is acting on the rotating planet so its angular momentum is constant
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: There is no torque is acting on a rotating planet. So its angular momentum is constant,
even though changes its direction linear speed, K.E change with time.
8. The satellite of mass 1000 kg is supposed to orbit the earth at a height of 2000km above
the earth surface. The K.E and P.E respectively are [ b ]
8 9 10 10
a) 5.2  10 J &1.04  10 J b) 2.4  10 J & 4.8  10 J
8 8
c) 3.7  10 J & 7.4  10 J d) 7.4  108 J & 3.7  108 J
Sol: m  103 kg,
h  2  106 m
GMm
K=
2R  h
6.675 10 11  6 10 24 103
  2.4 1010 J
2  6.4 10  2 10 
6 6

GMm
P  4.8  1010 J
R  h
9. An artificial satellite moving in a circular orbit around the earth has a total energy E 0 . Its
P.E and K.E is [ c ]
a) 2E 0 and  2E 0 b) 2E 0 and 3E 0 c) 2E 0 and  E 0 d) 2E 0 and  E 0
Sol: we know
 GMm GMm GMm
K.E  P.E  T.E   E0
2r r 2r
Then we can have
P.E  2TE  2E0
KE  TE  E0

10. The maximum energy required to launch a satellite of mass m from earth surface in a
circular orbit at an altitude 3R is (radius of earth is R) [ d ]
5 3 7
a) mgR b) 3mgR c) mgR d) mgR
6 4 8
Sol: We know
GMm
TE   where r  R  h at an altitude, the T.E of a satellite when it is on earth
2r
GMm
surface TE1  
R

GMm GMm GMm

TE 2     
2(R  h) 2(R  3R) 8R
Maximum Energy required to launch  TE 2  – TE1
GMm GMm
 
8R R
7 GM
  mgR g  2
8 R
PLATINUM PACKAGE :
11. For a satellite moving in an orbit around the earth, the ratio of K.E and P.E is [ a ]
1 1
a) b) c) 2 d) 2
2 2
Sol: we know for a satellite revolving in an orbit
GMm GMm
K.E  , P.E 
2R  h  R  h
K.E
We can have
P.E
GMm
K.E 2  R  h  1
 
P.E GMm 2
R  h
12. An artificial satellite revolves around the earth in a circular orbit with a speed v if m is
the mass of the satellite, its T.E is [ b ]
 3 1 1
mv 2 mv 2 mv 2
a) 2 b) 2 c) 2 d)  mv 2
Sol: We know the T.E of satellite revolving at height h
GMm
T.E 
2R  h 
1 GMm
K.E  mv 2
2 2R  h
We can have
T.E  K.E
1
  mv 2
2
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT -VII

CLARITY ACHIEVER – VII

1. The escape velocity of a particle of mass m varies as [ a ]
0 1 1 2
a) m b) m c) m d) m
Sol: Ve  2gR . So Ve depends on m 0
2. A satellite moving in a circular orbit around the earth, if gravitation pull suddenly
disappear then it
a) Continues to move with the same speed along the same path [ b ]
b) Moves with the same speed tangential to the original orbit
c) Falls down with the increasing speed
d) Comes to rest after moving a certain distance along the original path
Sol: Gravitational pull is absent centripetal force is zero. So it move along the tangential to the
original orbit. Since G.P.E  K.E it will not fall,
3. Assertion (A) : Two different planets can have same escape velocity [ c ]
Reason (R) : The value of escape velocity is universal constant
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
2GM
Sol: Escape velocity is not a Universal constant Ve  It depends on M & R of planet.
R
So different planets cannot have same escape velocity.
4. Assertion (A) : Most of the planets do not have proper atmosphere [ c ]
Reason (R) : Escape velocity of gas molecules is inversely proportional to radius of the
planet.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
2GM
Sol: Ve 
R
1
Ve 
R
Escape velocity is inversely proportional square root of radius of the planet. If r.m.s
velocity of gas is less than escape velocity, atmosphere is present.
5. The escape velocity of projectile from the surface of the earth is approximately [ c ]
1 1 1 1
a) 7 kms b) 112kms c) 11.2kms d) 1.1kms
Sol: Ve  2gR
  2  9.8  6400 103
 11.2  103 m/s
=11.2km/s
6. For a satellite escape velocity is 11kms1 . If the satellite is launched at an angle of 60
with a vertical then escape velocity will be [ a ]
11
a) 11kms1 b) 11 3kms 1 c) kms 1 d) 33kms1
3
Sol: V escape velocity does not depends on the launching angle.
7. A geostationary satellite should be launched such that it moves from [ d ]
a) North to south in the polar plane b) South to north in the polar plane
c) East to west in the equatorial plane d)West to east in the equatorial plane
Sol: Earth rotates from west to east so geostationary satellite should move from west to east in
the equatorial plane with the same angular velocity of the earth.
8. The orbital velocity of an artificial satellite in a circular orbit just above the earth surface
is v. For a satellite orbiting at an altitude of half the earth’s radius, the orbital velocity is
[ c ]
3 3 2 2
a) v b) v c) v d) v
2 2 3 3
GM
Sol: V0  V  at just above the surface of earth
R
R
h
2
GM
V0  orbital velocity at height h from surface
R+h
GM

R
R+
2
2 GM
 .
3 R
2
 V
3
2
So orbital velocity at height h  R/2is times the orbital velocity at height just above
3
the surface of earth
th
3
9. A body is projected up with of the escape velocity from earth’s surface. The height
4
reached by the body is [ a ]
 7 9 7 3
a) R b) R c) R d) R
9 7 3 7
3
Sol: V0  Ve
4
GM 3 GM

R+h 4 R
1 3 1
 
R+h 4 R
4 R 3 Rh
16R  9  R  h 
16R  9R  9h
7R
h
9
10. A ball is thrown parallel to the surface of the earth from the top of Mount Everest with a
velocity more than escape velocity. It will [ c ]
a)Become a satellite of earth b) Fall down to earth
c) Escape away from earth d) Depend upon the mass of the projectile
Sol: Escape velocity does not depends on the angle of projection
Ve  2gR
Even it is projected with escape velocity from top of mount Everest it will escape from
earth surface
SILVER PACKAGE
1. The orbital velocity of satellite very near to the surface of the earth is v. Its orbital
velocity at an altitude 7 times the radius of the earth is [ c ]
v v v v
a) b) c) d)
2 2 2 2 4
GM
Sol: V0   gr
R
GM
V0 
8R
1 gR
 gr  v
2 2
v
=
2 2
2. When a body is projected vertically upwards, the escape velocity from the earth surface is
11.2 kms1 . If the body is projected at angle of 30 is with the vertical, the escape
velocity will be [ b ]
 11.2
kms 1
a) cos 30 b) 11.2kms 1 c) 11.2  sin 30 kms1 d) 112  sin 30 kms1
Sol: Escape velocity does not depends on the angle of projection.
3. Escape velocity from the surface of the earth is v. The escape velocity from a planet
whose mass and radius are twice those of the earth is [ a ]
a)v b) 2v c) 4v d) 16v
GM
Sol: Ve 
R
M P  2M, R P  2R
GM
=VP
R
4. The escape velocity of an object from a planet whose mass is 9 times that of the earth and
radius is 4 times that of the earth in kms 1 is [ c ]
a) 67.2 b) 33.6 c) 16.8 d) 25.2
GM
Sol: ve 
R
vP Mp R e 9
  
ve Me R e 4
G  9M
vp 
4R
9 GM 3
vp   ve
4 R 2
3
vp   ve
2
3
v p  11.2  16.8m/s
2
5. If v0 be the orbital velocity of a satellite in a circular orbit close to the earth surface and ve
is the escape velocity of the satellite, then relation between them is [ c ]
a) v0  ve b) ve  2v0 c) ve  2v0 d) ve  3v0
Sol: v0  gR
ve  2gR
ve  2v0
6. The escape velocity on the surface of the earth is 11.2kms 1 . What would be the escape
velocity on the surface of another planet of the same mass but 1/4 times the radius of the
earth [ a ]
 a) 22.4 kms 1 b) 44.8kms1 c) 5.6 kms1 d) 11.2kms 1
GM
Sol: ve 
R
1
 ve 
Re
vm Re
 
ve Rm
1
 2
1
4
vm  2ve  22.4Km/s
7. If the radius of the orbit is 4 times the radius of the earth its orbital velocity would be
[ a ]
a) 3.9 kms1 b) 7 kms1 c) 14 kms1 d) 7 2 kms 1
GM
Sol: v0   7.98
Re
R  4R e
1 GM
v
2 Re
1
v   7.98
2
v 0  3.9Kms 1
8. For a satellite in circular motion, match the following [ a ]
Group - A Group - B
GMm
1) Kinetic energy p)
2r
GM
2) Potential energy q)
r
GMm
3) Total energy r)
r
GMm
4) Orbital velocity s)
2r
a) 1 – s, 2 – r, 3 – p, 4 – q b) 1 – p, 2 – q, 3 – r, 4 – s
c) 1 – q, 2 – p, 3 – r, 4 – s d) 1 – r, 2 – s, 3 – p, 4 – q
GMm
Sol: Kinetic energy =
2r
  GMm
Potential energy =
r
 GMm
Total energy =
2r
GM
Orbital velocity =
r
GOLD PACKAGE
9. A satellite is orbiting close to the surface of the earth. In order to make it to move to
infinity. Its velocity must be increased by about [ c ]
a) 20% b) 30% c) 40% d) 60%
v v
Sol: Increase%  e 0  100
v0
11.2  7.98
 100
7.98
 40%
10. Two satellites A & B go around the earth in circular orbits at a height of R A & R B
respectively from the surface of the earth. Assume earth to be a uniform sphere of radius
V
R e . The ratio of the magnitudes of the velocities of the satellite A is [ d ]
VB
2
RB R  RB  Re RB  Re
a) b)  A  c) d)
RA  RB  RA  Re RA  Re
GM
Sol: v0 
R
GM
 v0  A 
RA  Re
GM
 v0 B 
R B  Re
 v0 A
 RB  Re : RA  Re
 v 0 B
11. The escape velocity on the surface of the earth is 11.2kms 1 . If mass and radius of a
planet is 4 and 2 times respectively than that of earth. The escape velocity from the planet
is [ c ]
a) 11.2kms 1 b) 1.112kms1 c) 15.8kms1 d) 22.4 kms 1
Sol: MP  4Me , R P  2R e
 2GM P 2G4M e
vp  
Rp 2R e
vp  2ve
2GM e
ve   11.2 km
Re
vp  2  11.2 kms 1
v p  15.8 km/s
12. It is given that mass of the moon is 1/8th of the earth and radius is 1/4 th of the earth. If
escape velocity on earth surface is 11.2kms 1 the value of same on the surface of the
moon is [ a ]
1 1 1 1
a) 7.92 kms b) 5.92kms c) 2.5kms d) 5kms
M R
Sol: Mm  ,Rm 
8 4
2GM
Ve  11.2 km/s  Ve 
R
M
2G.
 8  1 . 2GM
R/4 2 R
1
 Ve
2
11.2
  11.2  0.707  7.918
2
PLATINUM PACKAGE
13. A ball of mass m is fired vertically upwards from the surface of the earth with velocity n
ve , where ve is the escape velocity and n  1 . Neglecting air resistance the height to
which the ball rises is [Take the radius of the earth is R.] [ c ]
R R Rn 2
a) 2 b) c) d) Rn 2
n 1  n 2  1  n 2 
1 GMm GMm
Sol; v  nve , mv 2  
2 R Rh
1 R  h  R  R
 mv2  GMm  
2  R  R  h   R
1 2 2 ghR
n ve 
2 Rh
  v 2e  2gR
1 ghR
 2gRn 2 
2 Rh
Rn 2
 n2 R  h  h  h 
Rh
 n2R  n2h  h
n 2 R  h 1  n 2 
n 2R
h 
1 n2
14. The escape velocity from the earth’s surface is 11kms1 . Certain planet has radius twice
that of the earth but its mean density is the same as that of the earth. The value of the
escape velocity from this planet would be [ b ]
a) 44kms1 b) 22kms1 c) 11kms1 d) 5.5kms1
Sol: Ve  11km/s Ve  R
 Ve e R e

 Ve p R p
 Ve p  22 km/s
15. If ve = escape velocity, v0 = orbital velocity and v = velocity of an object around the
earth, then the total mechanical energy of the body is +ve when [ d ]
a)
v  ve b)
v  v0 c)
v  ve d)
v  ve
Sol: V  Ve
K.E  P.E
T.E is positive
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT –VIII
1. Kepler’s second law regarding constancy of areal velocity of a planet is a consequence of
the law of conservation of [ b ]
a) Energy b) Angular momentum
c) Linear momentum d) None of these
dA
Sol: We can deduce using Kepler’s second law k
dt
We get l  constant
2. Satellite is placed in a circular orbit around earth at such a height that it always remains
stationary with respect to earth surface. In such case its height from the earth in km is[ b ]
a) 32000 b) 36000 c) 64000 d) 42400
Sol: Orbital height of the Geostationary satellite is 36000 km.
3. Kepler’s 2nd law of motion indicates [ b ]
a) How the time period of a planet varies with the radius of its orbit.
b) The conservation of angular momentum principle
c) The nature of energy principle d) The nature of earth’s orbit
Sol: Keplers’s II law indicates
Conversation of angular momentum, of a planet during its revolution around sun
4. Orbit of a planet around a star is [ b ]
a) A circle b) An ellipse c) A parabola d)A straight line
Sol: According to kepler’s I law
Planets are revolving around the star in an elliptical orbits
5. The orbital speed of Jupiter is [ b ]
a) greater than the orbital speed of earth b) less than the orbital speed of earth
c) equal to the orbital speed of earth d) Zero
GM
Sol: Orbital speed v 0 
R
Orbital velocity of earth around sun is 30 km/s
Where as Jupiter has orbital velocity  15 km/s (approximately)
 It is less than earth
6. Assertion (A) : Orbit of a planet around the sun is in a plane [ a ]
Reason (R) : Angular momentum of a planet revolving around the sun is conserved (do
not consider the shape of earth)
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: According to kepler’s second law angular momentum of a planet revolving around the
sun is conserved so the oribit of a planet should remain in same plane.
7. The earth E moves in an elliptical orbit with the sun ‘s’ at one of the focii as shown in the
figure. Its speed of motion will be maximum at the point. [ b ]
E C

A B
S

D
a) C b) A c) B d) D
Sol: As planet approaches the nearest point i.e., perogy to the sun radius vector decreases so to
conserve the Angular momentum L  mvr we get speed is increased and as maximum at
A.
8. The figure shows the motion of a planet around the sun in an elliptical orbit with sun at
the focus. The shaded areas A and B are assumed to be equal. If t1 and t 2 represent the
time for the planet to move from a to b and d to c respectively, then [ c ]
b t1 a
A
s
B
d t2 c
a) t1  t 2 b) t1  t 2 c) t1  t 2 d) t1  t 2
Sol: According to kepler’s II law, sweeps equal areas in a equal in travels of time so t1  t 2
A
 constant  DA  Dt
B
A1 t1
 1
A2 t 2
t1  t 2
9. Kepler’s second law (law of areas) is another form of statement of [ c ]
a) Work energy theorem b) Conservation of linear momentum
c) Conservation of angular momentum d) Conservation of energy
Sol: Kepler’s II law explains the conservation of angular momentum.
10. A planet is moving around the sun in an elliptical orbit. Its speed is [ c ]
a) Same at all points of the orbit
b) Maximum when it is farthest from the sun
c) Maximum when it is nearest to the sun
d) Maximum at the two points in which the orbit is intersected by the line which passes
through the focus of the orbit and which is perpendicular to its major axis.
Sol: According to the kepler’s II law
Line joining the sun and planet, sweeps equal areas in equal in travels of time . As it get
closer to the sun it has to covers larger distance to sweep equal areas so it has maximum
speed near to the sun.
11. Among the following, the correct statement regarding geo-stationary satellite is [b, d ]
a) It moves in a plane containing the Greenwich meridian
b) It moves in a plane perpendicular to the celestial equatorial plane
c) Its height above the earth’s surface is about the same as the radius of the earth
d) Its height above the earth’s surface is about the six times the radius of the earth
Sol: Geo – stationary satellite revolve around the planet in equatorial plane at a height nearly
six times that of the Radius of the earth.
SILVER PACKAGE
1. Assertion (A): The angular speed of a planet is smallest in its elliptical path when it is
farthest from the sun
Reason (R): In the motion of the planet around the sun, the law of conservation of
momentum is obeyed (do not consider the shape of earth) [ c ]
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Sol: For planet in a elliptical orbit, near to the sun have larger speed & far away from the sun
smaller speeds, so we can have the angular speed is smallest at epogy
During motion of the planet around the sun, the law of conservation of angular
momentum is obeyed.
2. In planetary motion the areal velocity of position vector of a planet depends on angular
velocity (  ) and the distance of the planet from sun (r). If so, the correct relation for
areal velocity is [ c ]
dA dA dA dA
a)  r b)  2r c) r2 d)  r
dt dt dt dt
dA d  1  d 1 
Sol:    OA  AB     r  r   
dt dt  2  dt  2 
O
r

A
B
 AB  r
d r 2 1 2 d 1 2
   r  r
dt 2 2 dt 2
dA
 r 2
dt
3. The geo-centric satellite ‘APPLE’ was first put into a parking orbit which has an elliptical
orbit with the perigee (closest distance from the centre of the earth) at 6750km and
apogee (farthest distance) at 42, 500km. If the velocity at perigee was 10.24kms1 then at
apogee the velocity in kms 1 was [ d ]
a) 10.25 b) 6.68 c) 3.16 d)1.58
Sol: given that a geo- centric satellite was put in orbit
Perogy rp  6750km, v p  10.24 km/s
Apogee ra  42,500 km
va  ?
We know
L = constant mvr = constant
1
v
r
v1 r2

v2 r1
v p  rp  v a .ra
v p  rp 6750 10.24
va    1.62 km/s
ra 42,500
Nearest value in the given option is 1.58 km/s
4. A plane flies from east to west over the equator. In order that the passenger may see the
sun motionless, the speed (kmph) of the plane should be [ c ]
a) 1256kmh 1 b) 1489kmh 1 c) 1667 kmh1 d) 182kmh1
Sol: To get the sun motionless the plane has to move with same speed equal to that of earth
from E to west i.e.,

W E

Speed of earth
ve  Re
2 c 2  3.14
 6400   6400 
T 24
 1674.66Km/h  1667Km/h
5. A planet moves around the sun. At a given point P, it is closest from the sun at a distance
d1 , and has a speed v1 . At another point Q, when it is farthest from the sun at a distance
d2 , its speed will be [ c ]
d12 v1 d 2 v1 d1v1 d 22 v1
a) b) c) d)
d 22 d2 d2 d12
dA
Sol:  constant
dt
L  constant ( L = Angular momentum)
m1v1r1  m 2 v2 r2  m1  m 2 
v1d1  v2d2
v1d1
v2 
d2
GOLD PACKAGE :
6. Passage - I
A satellite revolving around the earth in elliptical orbit such that, the minimum and
maximum distance of a satellite from the centre of the earth are 2R and 4R respectively,
where R is the radius of earth and M is the mass of the earth, based on above information,
answer the following questions.
i) The minimum speed of the satellite is [ c ]
GM GM GM GM
a) b) c) d)
9R 5R 6R 3R

Earth
perigee r2 Apogee
A O B
r1 O c a

Sol:
We can have for planet revolving in elliptical orbit the following parameters.
(i) major axis = distance of Apogee + distance of perigee
2a  rA  rP
GMm
(ii) Total M.E 
2a
(iii) Law of conservation of Angular momentum
  mrP v P  mrA v A  constant
(iv) Law of conservation f mechanical energy
 1 GMm 1 GMm
T.E  mv 2A   mv 2P 
2 rA 2 rP
(v) we can have
GM rp GM rA
v 2A  , v 2P 
a rA a rP
Here we are given rP  2R rA  4R
2a  6R a  3R
Minimum speed will be at Apogee
GM 2R
v 2A  
3R 4R
GM
 vA 
6R
ii) The maximum speed of the satellite is [ c ]
3GM 4GM 2GM 5GM
a) b) c) d)
2R 3R 3R 2R
Sol: we have maximum speed of planet at perigee i.e.,
GM rA
v 2P 
a rP
GM 4R
v2P 
3r 2R
2GM
vP 
3R
iii) Radius of curvature at the point of minimum distance is [ a ]
8R 5R 4R 7R
a) b) c) d)
3 3 3 3
Sol: For an elliptical orbit length of major axis 2a  rA  rP

b a
P rP rA A
O
b

Length of semi minor axis b  rA rP

Given that a  3R, b  2 2R
rA  4R rP  2R
The radius of curvature at minimum distance
2

r
b2

2 2R 
a 3R
 8R
r
3
7. Passage - II
Every planet revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit, with the sun at one of the focii.
The nearest point of the path of the planet to the sun is called perigee. The farthest point
is called apogee. The radius vector of planet from sun sweeps out equal areas in equal
interval of time, then answer the following.
i) The farthest point is called [ a ]
a) Apogee b) Aphelion c) Both a & b d) Perigee
Sol: The farthest point is called Apogee.
ii) The areal velocity of radius vector of a planet originate from the sun is constant it
represents [ b ]
a) Kepler's I law b) Kepler's II law
c) Newton's law of universal gravitation d) All the above
Sol: It is evident from the statement of kepler’s II law
dA
iii) In Kepler's II law Areal velocity is equal to [ c ]
dt
a) 1 b) 0 c) constant d) 
dA
Sol: = constant
dt
iv) Among the following, which one is not the Kepler's law's of planetary motion [ b ]
a) Law of periods b) Law of Gravitation c) Law of orbtis d) Law of areas
Sol: Kepler’s laws comprises only law of orbits, law of areas and law of periods only.
PLATINUM PACKAGE
8. The ratio of earth’s orbital angular momentum (about the sun) to its mass is
4.4  1015 m 2s 1 . The area enclosed by the earth’s orbit is approximately [ d ]
22 2 22 2 22 2 22 2
a) 1 10 m b) 3  10 m c) 5  10 m d) 7  10 m
Sol: We can have from Kepler’s II law
L
 4.4 1015 m 2s 1
m
dA
= constant
dt
L
= constant
2m
dA L 4.4 1015
 
dt 2m 2
4.4 1015
 dA   dt  dt  1day  86, 400sec 
2
 4.4  1015
dA   86, 400  7  10 22 m 2
2
9. The largest and the shortest distance of the earth from the sun are r1 and r2 . Its distance
from the sun when it is at the perpendicular to the major axis of the orbit drawn from the
sun is [ d ]
r r r r rr 2r r
a) 1 2 b) 1 2 c) 1 2 d) 1 2
4 3 r1  r2 r1  r2
A

r1 r2
c a

E
Sol:
from the equation of ellipse
r1  a  ae r2  a  ae
2a  r1  r2
b  r1r2
  a  ea  a  ae 
b 2  a 2  a 2 e2
b2
 1  e2
a2
b2
e  1
a2
x2 y 2
 1
a2 b2
b2
e  1
a2
b 2  a 2  e2  1
We know from geometry of ellipse
b2
AC 
a
b 2 a  e  1
2 2

The distance AC    a  e2  1
a a
r r r r
but a  1 2 , e  1 2
2 r1  r2
 2
r r    r1  r2  
AC   1 2   2
 1
 2    r1  r2  
 4r r
r1  r2 
1 2
AC   2
 1
  r1  r2 
2 
2r r
 AC  1 2
r1  r2
 GRAVITATION
CONCEPT-IX
1. The planet Neptune travels around the sun with a period of 165 years. The ratio of its
mean radius of the orbit to that of the earth is approximately [ c ]
a) 10 :1 b) 20 :1 c) 30 :1 d) 40 :1
Sol: We are given radius of earth  r1
Time period  T1  1year
Radius of Neptune  r2
Time period  T2  165 year
2 3 2
 T1   r1  r1  165  3
      
 T2   r2  r2  1 
 30 :1 nearly 
2. According to Kepler, the period of revolution of a planet (T) and its mean distance from
the sun (R) are related by the equation [ b ]
3 3 2 3 3 2
a) T R = constant b) T R = constant c) TR = constant d) T R
Sol: It is evident from the statement of kepler’s III law
T2
i.e., 3  constant
R
3. If a body describes a circular motion under inverse square field the time taken to
complete one revolution T is related to the radius of the circular orbital(R) by [ c ]
2 2 3 4
a) T  R b) T  R c) T  R d) T  R
Sol: We know when a planet is revolving
Circumference
T
orbital velocity
2 r 2
T  r r
GM GM
r
We can have T  r r
 T2  R 3
4. If the earth is at one - fourth of its present distance from the sun, the duration of the year
will be [ b ]
a) Half the present year b) One - eight the present year
c) One - fourth the present year d) One - sixth the present year
Sol: Let the present distance between sun & earth = r
Time period = 1 year
 r
If distance between sun & earth reduced to
4
The time period = ?
T1   1 year        T2   ?
r
r1  r r2 
4
3
T12  r1 
 
T22  r2 
2 3
1  r 
   
 T2   r/4 
1
 2  64
T2
1
T2  year
8
5. Two planets move around the sun. The periodic times and mean radii of the orbits are
T
T1 ,T2 and R1,R 2 respectively. The ratio of 1 is equal to [ c ]
T2
1 3
2
r  r 2  r 2 r 
a) 1 b)  1  c)  1  d)  1 
r2  r2   r2   r2 
3
3
T12  r1  T1  r1  2
Sol:    
T22  r2  T2  r2 
SLIVER PACKAGE
1. Assertion (A): When the radius of orbit of a satellite is made 4 times. Its time period
becomes 8 times
Reason (R): Greater the height above the surface of the earth, greater the time period of
revolution
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A [ a ]
b) Both A and R are true and R is the not correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false d) A is false, but R is true
T12 R13
Sol: using the relation 
T22 R 32
We can have when radius is made 4 times then time period will because 8 times
So we get greater time period for greater height from earth surface
2. The period of a satellite in a circular orbit of radius R is T. The period of another satellite
in circular orbit of radius 4R is [ c ]
 T T
a) 4T b) 4 c) 8T d) 8
T12 R13
Sol: Using the relation  we can have 8 T when radius is 4R
T22 R 32
3. A planet revolves around the sun whose mean distance is 1.588 times the mean distance
between earth and sun. The revolution time of planet will be [ d ]
a) 1.25 years b) 1.59 years c) 0.89 years d) 2 years
 T   R 
2 3

Sol:  1    1 
 T2   R 2 
Here T1  1year, T2  ?, R1  R,R 2  1.588R

R 
3/2

T2  T1  1 
 R  2

 11.588
3/2

159 
3/2

 
100 

12.55 
3

 
 10 
 1.953
 2 nearly
T2  2 years
4. A satellite A of mass m is at a distance of r from the centre of the earth. Another satellite
B of mass 2m is at a distance of 2r from the earth’s centre. Their time periods are in the
ratio
a) 1:2 b) 1:16 c) 1:32 d) 1 : 2 2 [ d ]
Sol: Given that
Mass of satellite = m
Distance Ist satellite R 1  r
Time period  T1
Second satellite having mass = 2m
Its distance from centre R 2  2r
Let time period  T2
T12 R13
We have from III law  ( this expression is independent of mass)
T22 R 32
 3
T12  r 

T22  2r 
 T1 :T2  1: 2 2
5. If the radius of earth’s orbit is made 1/4 , the duration of an year will become [ c ]
1 1
a) 8 times b) 4 times c) times d) times
8 4
R
Sol: T1  1year, T2  ?, R 1  R,R 2 
4
2
T R3
we know from kepler’s III law 12  13
T2 R 2

T R 
3/2

 1   1 
T2  R 2 
1  R 
3/2

 
T2  R/4 
1
 43/2
T2
1
8
T2
1
T2  years
8
1
i.e., times to the duration of one year
8
6. Which of the following quantities do not depend upon the orbital radius of the satellite
[ d ]
T T2 T2 T2
a) b) c) d)
R R R2 R3
Sol: According to kepler’s III law,
T2 4 2

R 3 GM
T2
That means value is independent of orbital radius of any satellite
R3
GOLD PACKAGE :
7. Passage :
The little prince (the main character of the novel written by antoine de saint - Exupery)
lives on the spherical planet named B - 612, the density of which is 5200 kg m3 . The
little prince noticed that if he quickens his pace, he feels himself lighter. When he
 reached the speed 2 km/s he became weightless, and began to orbit about the planet as a
satellite, then answer the following.
i) Radius of the planet [ c ]
4 4 6 3
a) 1.65  10 m b) 1.7  10 m c) 1.65  10 m d) 1.8  10 m
Sol: Density of planet  5200 Kg/m 3
Orbital velocity of satellite V0  2 km/s
GM
V0 
R
GM
2000 
R
 4 3 
 M   R  
 3 
4 22
2000  6.67 10 11    R 2  5200
3 7
6067  4  22  520
2000  105 R
21
2000  120.55  10 5 R
2000
R  105
120.55
R  16.6 105
 R  16.6  10 6 m
ii) Acceleration due to gravity of the planet [ b ]
2
a) 2m/s b) 2.42 m/s2 c) 3m/s 2
d) 3.2 m/s 2

Sol: We know orbital velocity v 0  2 km/s

and v0  gr
3 2
 2 10   g 1.66 106 
4  106
g
1.66  106
 g  2.42 m/s 2
iii) Orbital velocity of satellite [ b ]
1
a) 0 km/s b) 2 km/s c) 2 km/s d) km/s
2 2
Sol: Orbital velocity of prince is given in the data as 2 km/s
iv) Escape velocity of the planet [ c ]
 1
a) 2 km/s b) 2 km/s c) 2 2 km/s d) km/s
2
Sol: Ve  2V0
So ve  2  2 km/s  2 2 km/s
8. 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 [ c ]
a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5
Sol: TA  8T, TB  T,R A  R,R B  XR
TA2 R 3A

TB2 R 3B
x = 4 times
9. The rotation period of an earth satellite close to the surface of the earth is 83 minutes. The
time period of another earth satellite in an orbit at a distance of three times the earth
radius from its surface will be
a) 83 minutes b) 83 8 minutes c) 664 minutes d) 249 minutes[ c ]
Sol:  TE   83min, TS   ? , R e    R, R S    R  3R  4R
TE2 R 3E
  TS  664 minutes
TS R 3s
10. A body revolves around the sun 27 times faster than that of the earth. The ratio of their
radii is [ b ]
1 1 1 1
a) 3 b) 9 c) 27 d) 4
Sol: Let the time period of earth = T
TE  T
The planet is revolving 27 times faster
T
TB 
27
We have
TA2 R 3A

TB2 R 3B
RA 1
then 
RB 9
11. The time period (T) of the artificial satellite of earth depends on the density (d) of the
earth as [ c ]
1 1
a) T  d b) T  d c) T  d) T 
d d
Sol: we know
Orbital velocity of a satellite
M E mass of earth
R E Radius of earth
GM E
v0   1
R
Here we are asked to sought out dependence of time period of satellite on densityof earth
2 R 4
We know v 0  , M E   R 3d
T 3
d is density of earth
On substituting in eq – (1)
4
G  R 3d
2 R 3

T R
4 2 R 2 4
2
 G   R 2d
T 3
12
T2 
Gd
1
T 
d
12. If mean radius of earth is R, its angular velocity is  , and the acceleration due to gravity
at the surface of the earth is g, then the cube of the radius of the orbit of geostationary
satellite will be [ a ]
R 2g R 2g Rg
2 2 R 2 2 2
a)  b)  c) d) 
g
Sol: given that
Mean radius of earth = R
GM
Acceleration due to gravity = g, g  2
 GM  gR 2
R
Its angular velocity  
We can have
2 c

T
2 c
T

Let the radius of geostationary satellite = r from centre of earth and time period = t
 4 2 3
t2  r (using kepler’s III law)
GM
2
We take = T  (since Time period of geostationary satellite = Time period of earth)

2
 2  4 2 3
   .r GM  gR 2
   GM
4 2 4 2 3
 .r
 2 gR 2
gR 2
 r3 
2
PLATINUM PACKAGE :

13. Imagine a light planet revolving around a very massive star in a circular orbit of radius R
with period T. If the gravitational force of attraction between the planet and the star is
5
proportional to R 2 , then T 2 is proportional to [ d ]
1 3
3 2 2 3.75
a) R b) R c) R d) R
Sol: The mass of light planet = m
Radius in which it is revolving = R
Orbital velocity  v0
2 R
v0 
T
Gravitational force between massive star & planet
F  R 5/2
F  kR 5/2 (k is constant)
We can have for orbiting planet
mv 20
F
R
mv 20
  k.R 5/2
R
k 2 R
 v20  R 3/ 2  v0 
m T
4 2 R 2 k 3/2
  R
T2 m
R 2 3/ 2 k
2

T m 4 2
 R 7/2
  constant
T2
i.e., T 2  R 7/2 or T 2  R 3.5
14. A geostationary satellite is orbiting the earth at a height of 6R above the surface of the
earth, R being the radius of the earth. The time period of another satellite at a height 2.5
R from the surface of the earth is [ d ]
a) 6 2 hours b) 6 2.5 hours c) 6 3 hours d) 12 hours
Sol: given that a geostationary satellites revolving at a distance from centre r1  R  6R  7R
Time period T1  24 hours
another planet is revolving at height 2.5 R
7
its distance from centre r2  3.5 R  R
2
Time period T2  ?
T12 r13
We know 
T22 r23
3
24 2  7R 
 2  
T2  7/2R 
24 2
8
T22
24  24
 T22 
8
T22  72
 Time period of satellite T2  6 2 hours
 Student Additional Task
1. Two objects of masses 4 kg and 3 kg are placed along x and y - axis respectively at a
distance of 1 m from the origin. An object of mass 1 kg is kept at the origin of the co-
ordinate system. Then the resultant gravitational force of attraction on the object at the
origin is [ b ]
 10  10 9  10
a) 6.67×10 N b) 3.36×10 N c) 1.0×10 N d) 1.34×10 N
Sol: given that
Two objects m1  4 kg kept on x axis at a distance 1 m from origin, m 2  3kg kept on y –
axis at a distance 1 m from origin
Another mass 1 kg is kept at origin

m 2  3kg F?

F2 =1m

m3 =1kg 1m m1 =4kg

F  F12  F22
Gm1m 3 G  4 1
F1  
r2 1
2

F1  4 G
Gm1m 2 G 1 3 
F2   2
r2 1
F2   3G
2 2
F  3G    4G 
F  25G 2  5G
F  5  6.67  1011
F  3.335  10 10  N

2. Two spherical balls of mass 10 kg each are placed 10 cm apart. The gravitational force of
attraction between them is [ b ]
7 6
a) 6.67×10 dyne b) 6.67×107 N c) 6.67×10 dyne d) 6.67×106 N
Gm1m 2
Sol: We know F 
r2
m1   m2   10 kg
 r  10cm  10  102  m
6.67  10 11  10  10
F
2 2
10 10 
6.67 109
F
102 104
F  6.67  10 7  N
3. Three spherical balls of masses 1 kg, 2 kg, 3 kg are placed at the corners of an equilateral
triangle of side 1 m. The magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by 2 kg and 3 kg
masses on 1 kg mass [ c ]
–10 –5 –10 10
a) 1.901 10  N b) 2.901 10 N c) 2.901 10 N d) 2.901 10 N
Sol: Three spherical masses are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle as shown
FBA  2G, FAC  3G,   60
2 2
Fnet on A  FBA  FCA  2FBA FCA cos 
2 2
FA  FBA  FCA  2FBA FCA cos 
G  2 1
FAB  2
 2G
1
A
1kg
1m
1m

B C
2 kg 1m 3 kg
G  3 1
FAC  2
 3G
1
2 1
FA   2G   3G 
2
 2  2G  3G   
2
FA  4G 2  9G 2  6G 2

FA  19G 2  4.4G
FA    4.4  6.67  10 11
FA   2.9  1010  N
4. A particle of mass 50g experiences a gravitational force of 2.0 N when placed at a
particular point. The gravitational field at that point is [ a ]
1 1 1 1
a) 40 NKg b) 30 NKg c) 40 NKg d) 30 JKg
Sol: we know
Given that m = 50 g i.e.,  50  10 3 Kg
Gravitational Force experienced F = 2N
Field at that point I = ?
F
I
m
2N
I
50 103 kg
200
  40 N/kg
50
5. The distance of a point from the earth’s centre where the resultant gravitational field due
to earth and the moon is zero is (Mass of the earth 6  10 24 kg and that of the moon is
7.4  10 22 kg. The distance between the earth and moon 4  10 5 km ) [ c ]
a) 3.6 1010 km b) 3.6 105 km c) 3.6 105 km d) 3.6  105 km
Sol: mass of earth  6  1024 kg  M
Mass of moon  7.4  10 22 kg  m
Distance between earth & moon r  4  105 km
Required to find a point A along line joining earth & moon as shown
Where resultant field = 0
Let the distance of A from earth = x
At A force due to earth = force due to moon
GM e G.M m
 2
x2 r  x
earth moon
x
Mp m
A
r
M m
2
 2
x r  x
M x
 
m rx
6 10 24 x
22

7.4 10 rx
x
9
rx
9x  9x  x  x  4 105
9x
x 
10
 We get x  3.6 105 km
6. Which one of the following graphs represents correctly the variation of the gravitational
field (E) with the distance (r) from the centre of a spherical shell of mass [ d ]
E
E

rR r rR r
a) b)
E y

GM
ER 2

r x
c) rR d)
O rR rR r R

Sol: We know for spherical shell

GM
i r  R E  2
R
 ii  r  R E0
GM
 iii  r  R E
r2
7. If a planet consists of a satellite whose mass and radius were both half that of the earth,
the acceleration due to gravity at its surface would be [ c ]
2 2 2 2
a) 4.9 ms b) 9.8ms c) 19.6ms d) 29.4ms
Sol: Given that
R
RP  E
2
M
MP  e
2
GM P GM e /2
g1   2
R 2P  R e /2 
GM e 4
 g1   2
2 Re
2GM e
g1 
R 2e
GM e

R e2
 g  9.8m/s2 
 g1  19.6 m/s 2
8. When the radius of the earth is reduced by 1% without changing the mass, then change in
acceleration due to gravity will be [ a ]
a) Increased by 2% b) decreased by 1.5% c) increased by1% d) decreased by 1%
Sol: we know
GM
g 2
R
2
gR  GM
Differentiating w.r.to R on both sides
d d
dR
 gR 2  
dR
GM

dg 2
g2R  .R  0
dR
 gR 2  g2RR
g 2R
 
g R
Given that radius of earth is reduced by 1%
R g
 1% ?
R g
g 2  1

g R
Change in acceleration due to gravity
g R
100  2  100
g R
 2%
9. The height at which the acceleration due to gravity becomes g/9 (where g = the
acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth) in terms of R, (where R is the
radius of the earth) [ a ]
R R
a) 2R b) c) d) 2R
2 2
Sol: we have
2
 h
gh  g 1  
 R
g h  g/9
2
g  h
 g 1  
9  R
 2
 h
 1    9
 R
h
1 3
R
h
2
R
h  2R
10. A satellite orbits the earth at a height. Calculate potential energy. Mass of the satellite is
300 kg, mass of the earth is 6  10 24 kg , radius of the earth is 6.4  106 m and G is
6.67 1011 Nm2 Kg2 [ a ]
9 9
a) 18.7 109 J b) 17.4  10 J c) 8.7  10 J d) None
Sol: given that mass of satellite = 300 kg
Mass of earth M  6  10 24 kg
We can have R  6.4  106 m
GMm
G.P.E U  
R
6.671011 61024 300
U
6400103
120.06
 1010
64
U  –18.7  109  J
11. A 400 kg satellite is in a circular orbit of radius 2R e around the earth. What is the change
in potential energy given g  9.8 ms 2 ; R e   6.37  106 m [ a ]
6 9 6
a) 1.24  1010 J b) 3.13×10 J c) 6.26  10 J d) 62.6×10 J
Sol: given that mass of satellite m = 400 kg
r  R e  2  6.37 106 m
g  9.8 m/s 2
The change in P.E when it is taken from surface of earth to orbit
 mgh mgR mgR
P.E   
h R 2
1 1
R R
400  9.8  6.37  106

1.24  1010 J
 1.24  1010 J
12. If g is the acceleration due to gravity on the earth's surface, find the gain in potential
energy of a body of mass m when taken from the surface of earth at a height equal to
three times the radius of the earth R
3 4
a) mgR b) mgR c) 3 mgR d) 4 mgR [ a ]
4 3
Sol: given that a body of mass = m
Taken from surface h = 0 to h = 3R
We know
mgh
P.E 
 
1  h 
 R 
h = 3R
mg  3R  3mgR
P.E  
3R 4
1
R
13. Calculate the gravitational potential at the surface of the moon. The mass of the moon is
7.34×1022 kg and its radius is 1.74  10 6 m , G  6.67×1011Nm2 kg2 [ b ]
–1 6  –1 –7 –1 –7 –1
a) 1.62 N kg b) –2.8110 J kg c) 2.4 10  N kg d) –2.4 10  J kg
22
Sol: given that mass of moon  7.34  10 kg
r  1.74  106 m
we know gravitational potential
Gm
V 
r
6.671011  7.341022
V
1.74106
V  –2.81  106  J
14. Calculate the gravitational intensity and gravitational potential at a location which is from
the surface of the earth at a height 4 times the radius of the earth R e  6400km ,
G  6.67×1011 Nm2 kg 2 , Me  6×1024 kg [ d ]
a) 1.4 10–7  N kg –1  ;1.47 10–7  Jkg –1 ; b) 1.62 N kg –1; –2.81106 J kg –1
c) 1.972 1030  N kg–1;1.972 1030  Jkg –1 d) 0.39 N kg –1 –1.25 107 J kg –1
GMm
Sol: F
r2
F GM GM GM
E  2  
r  h  5R 
2 2
m r
 6.67  1011  6 1024
E
25  64  64 1010
E  0.3908N/kg
GM
V 
rh
6.67 1011  6 1024

5  6400 103
 –1.25 107  J/kg
15. 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 [ b ]
a) –2.7 10–8 J/kg b) –9.4 106 J/kg c) –2.58 106  J/kg d) –5.98 1011  J/kg
Sol: The gravitational P.E of a satellite
GMm
U
Rh
Then gravitational potential
U GM
V 
m Rh
Here h = 36000 km R = 6400 km
w GM
V 
m Rh
6.67  10 11  6  1024
=
6400  36,000
6.67  6  1013  10 2
=
424  103
 –9.4 106  J/kg
16. What is the change in gravitational potential energy when a body of mass m is raised to a
height n R above the surface of earth of radius R [ c ]
mgR  n   n 1 
a) mgR b) c)   mgR d)   mgR
n  n 1   n 
Sol: we know change in P.E
mgh
P.E 
 h
1  
 R
h = nR
mgnR n
P.E  
nR 1  n
 mgR 
1+
R
17. What is the minimum energy required to launch a satellite of mass m from the surface of
earth of mass M, radius R in a circular orbit at an altitude 2R [ c ]
5GmM GMm GMm 5GMm
a) b) c) d)
6R 6R 3R R
Sol: The minimum energy required to launch a satellite at height h = 2R
GMm
When it is on surface T.E1  P.E 
R
When it is launched at a height = h = 2R
GMm GMm
T.E 2  
2R  h  6R
GMm GMm 5GMm
T.E  T.E 2  T.E1   
6R R 6R
18. What is the binding energy of earth sun system neglecting the effect of the presence of
other planets and satellites. Mass of earth, M e  6×1024 kg mass of sun M s  2×1030 kg
distance between earth and sun is R  1.5×1011m;G  6.6×10 11 Nm 2 kg  2 [ d ]
30   30 33 33
a) 2.6  10 J b) 2.5  10  J c) 0.26  10  J d) 2.6  10  J
Sol: M e   6  10 24  kg
M s    2  1030  kg
r  1.5  1011 m
GMm
T.E  
2r
6.67  1011  6  1024  2  1030
T.E  
2 1.5  1011 
 –26.4  1032
T.E  –2.6  1033 J
19. Satellite is orbiting around the earth with a speed  . To make satellite escape, what is the
minimum percentage increase in its speed [ b ]
a) 14.4% b) 41.4% c) 44.1% d) 40%
Sol: we know v 0  gR closer to surface
ve  2gR
ve  v0 2gR  gR
 100   100
v0 gR


gR  2 1  100
gR
= 1.414 – 1 = 0.414 × 100
 = 41.4 %
20. A satellite is revolving around the earth, close to the surface of earth with a kinetic
energy E. How much kinetic energy should be given to it so that it escapes from the
surface of earth [ a ]
E
a) E b) 2E c) d) 3E
2
Sol: given that
A satellite is reducing closer to earth surface
K.E initial  E
1
mv2i  E
2
1 GMm GMm
 mv2   E
2 2R 2R
GMm
P.E i   2E
R
T.E initial  K.E i  P.E i
T.E i  E  2E   E
To make it escape from the earth, the K.E required to make as zero T.E i will be
1
mv2  T.E i  0
2
K.E f  E  0
K.E f  E
21. Space ship is launched into a circular orbit close to earth's surface. What additional
velocity has to be imparted to the spaceship in the orbit to overcome the gravitational
pull. Radius of earth = 6400 km and g  9.8ms  2 [ d ]
a) 3.28kms 1 b) 32.8kms 1 c) 3.28kms 1 d) 3.028ms 1
Sol: Orbital velocity v0   7.98 m/s
escape velocity ve   11.2 m/s
additional velocity   ve  – v0
 11.2 – 7.98  3.22 m/s
22. Which of the following statements are correct about a planet rotating around the sun in an
elliptical orbit
a) its areal velocity is constant b) its angular momentum is constant [a,b,c ]
c) its mechanical energy is constant d) its time period is proportional to r 3
Sol: It is evident from kepler’s laws that options a, b, c are correct
23. Which of the following statements are true for a stationary satellite of the earth [c, d ]
a) A satellite is stationary in space
 b) Its angular speed is equal to that of earth about its own axis
c) Its time period is 24 hours
d) Its revolves around the earth from west to east
Sol: From the concept of geostationary satellite options c, d are relevant features.
24. Assertion : The time period of revolution of a satellite close to surface of earth is smaller
than that revolving way from surface of earth
Reason :The square of time period of revolution of a satellite is directly proportional to
cube of its orbital radius [ a ]
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b)Both A and R are true and R is not correct explanation of A
c) A is true and R is false d) A is false and R is true.
Sol: The time period of revolution of satellite closer to surface is smaller when compared to
away from surface
T12 R13
Since 
T22 R 22
25. The distance of planet jupiter from the sun is 5.2 times that of the earth. Find the period of
revolution of jupiter around the sun [ c ]
a) 13.86 years b) 12 years c) 11.86 years d) 15 years
2 3
Sol: we know T   R
Given that
T1  1year T2  ?
R1  R R 2  5.2 R
2 3
T  R 
 1   1 
 T2   R 2 
2 3
 T2   R 2 
   
 T1   R1 
3
R 
 T   2  T12
2
2
 R1 
3
 5.2R 
  1
 R 
T2  140.6
T2   11.86 years
26. A geostationary satellite is orbiting the earth at a height of 6R above the surface of earth, R
being the radius of earth. The time period of another satellite at a height 2.5 R from the
surface of earth is
6
a) 6 2 hr b) 6 hr c) hr d) 10 hr [ a ]
2
Sol: we know for a geo stationary satellite
T12 R13

T22 R23
T1   24 hours, R1   7R, R 2   3.5 R, T2  T
3
24  24

 7R
2
T2  3.5 R 3
125  24  24
T2 =
1000
125  24  24
T
1000
T = 6 2 hours
27. Consider an infinite plane sheet of mass m with surface mass density  . The gravitational
field intensity at a point p at perpendicular distance r from such a sheet is [ c ]
a) Zero b)  G c) 2 G d) 4 G
Sol: given that an infinite plane sheet of mass = m
Mass per unit area = 
P
r

x
dx

infinite planesheet

The field intensity E at a point P

At a perpendicular distance r
Up on dividing the sheet into thin rings of radius x and thickness dx
We can have dm   .2 x.dx
We know field due to ring a point P
Along the axis at distance r from center
G.dmr
dE  3/2
 r 2  x2 
G. r2 dx
 dE  3/2
r 2
 x2 
  xdx
E   dE  G 2 r  3/ 2
0 0
r 2
 x2 
Here this is given to be infinite plane sheet
So x  0 x 
 
 1 
E  G 2 r  
2 2
 r  x 0
 1
 E  G 2 r 0  
 r
 E   G2
*28. Consider an infinite plane sheet of mass m with surface mass density  . The
gravitational potential at a point p at perpendicular distance r from such a sheet is [ c ]
a) Zero b)  Gr c)  2Gr d) 4 G
Sol: Given that an infinite plane sheet of mass m and surface density  
V
P
r

dx x
m 
infinite planesheet

The gravitational potential v at a point p perpendicular distance r from it

Upon dividing this sheet into thin rings of radius x and thickness dx
dm   2 xdx
We now potential due to ring as
G.dm
dv  
r2  x2
G. .2 xdx
dv 
r2  x2
  G 2 xdx
 v   dv  
0 0
r2  x2
x  0 to x  Infinite sheet
 xdx
 G 2 
o
r 2  x2

 G 2  r 2  x 2 
 0
 G 2 r
29. The figure shows a uniform rod of length ‘l’ whose mass per unit length is  , the
gravitational force of the rod on a particle of mass m located at a distance d from one end
of the rod is (here l  d ) [ a ]

 here l  d 
l d
m
 4Glm G 2l 2 m G l m 2 Gm 2
2
l  l 2  d 2 
2 3

a) 
l  2d 
b) 
l  d
c) 
l  d
d)
Sol: given that an uniform rod has mass m 2 & length l
m2
Mass per unit length is 
l
 m 2  l
Let the particle mass = m
Then gravitational force
Gm1m 2
F
r2
G  m  l 4Glm
 2

l  (l  2d) 2
 d
2 

30. Three particles, A, B& C each of mass m are placed in a line AB = BC = d. The
gravitational force on a fourth particle P of same mass, placed at a distance d from the
particle B on the perpendicular bisector of the line AC (along PB) is [ b ]
Gm2  2  1  Gm 2  3  1  Gm 2 Gm 2
a) 2 b c) d)
d2  2  d 2   2
d2
   2  d
Sol: Three particles A, B, C are placed in a line such that AB  BC  d
Mass of each particle = m
Another particle p is placed at a distance d from B along perpendicular bisector of AC as
shown the force due to A.
m
P

F1 45° 45°
2d d F3
F2
m m
A d mB d C

G.m 2 Gm 2
F1  
 2d  2d 2

Force due to B, force due to C

2
Gm
F2 
d2
G.m 2 Gm 2
F3  2

2d 2
 2d 
 Now we can have resultant due to F1 ,F3 resultant here  F1 ,F3 

F  F12  F32  2F1F2 cos  here   90

Resultant of F1 ,F3 i.e., F  F12  F32  0

F  2F1  2F3  F1  F3
2Gm 2
F
2d 2
it acts along the line joining P and B now total force on particle at P
Fnet  resultant of F1 ,F3  force due to F2
2Gm 2 Gm 2
  2
2d 2 d
Gm 2  1 
 2 
 1
d  2 
 2  1  Gm 2
 Fnet    2
 2  d
31. Identical point masses each equal to m are placed at x  0, x  1, x  2, x  4....... The total
gravitational force on mass m at x  0 due to all other masses is [ b ]
4 4
a) Infinite b) Gm2 c) GM 2 d) Zero
3 3
Sol: the net force on particle x = o due to all other particles
F  F1   F2    F3    ........
Gm 2 Gm 2 Gm 2
F  2  2 ......
12 2 4
m m m m m

x
x0 x 1 x2 x4 x8
1 1 1 
F  Gm 2    2  ....
1 4 4 
 1 1 
 Gm 2 1   2  ....
 4 4 
This is in the form of G.P
a
Sum of n terms of G.P Sn  r 1
1 r
a 1
Sn    3/4
1  r 1  1/4
  
 1 
F  Gm 2 
1
1  
 4
 1 
 Gm2  
3 / 4 
4
 Gm 2  
3
4
F  Gm 2
3
32. A uniform solid sphere of mass ‘M’ and radius ‘a’ is surrounded symmetrically by a
uniform thin spherical shell of equal mass and radius 2a. The gravitational field at a
distance [ d ]
3
a
i) 2 from the centre
5
a
ii) 2 from the centre
3GM 5GM 3GM 2GM GM 9GM 4GM 8GM
2
, 2 2
, 2 2
, 2 2
,
a) a a b) a a c) 3a 2a d) 9a 25a 2
Sol: given that a spherical shell of mass = M
Radius 2a is placed
Symmetrically surrounding an uniform sphere of mass M & radius a as shown
(i) field at a point r  3/2a from centre
Field at P1 = field due to sphere + field due to shell
GM
Field at = P1   0 ( field in side the shell is zero)
 3/2a 

2a 3ba
p1
a

4 GM
 Field at P1 
9 a2
(ii) now field at P2 i.e., r  5a/2
Field at P2 = field due to sphere + field due to shell
 GM GM 8GM
 2
 2

 5a/2   5a/2  25a 2
33. If the radius of the earth decreases by 10% the mass being constant then the acceleration
due to gravity [ d ]
a) Decreases by 19% b) Increases by19%
c) Decreases by more 19% d) Increases by more than 19%
Sol: we know the relation between variation of radius and variation of g
g  2 R

g R
R
Given 100  10 (radius is decreased by 10% )
R
g 2R
  100   100
g R
g
  100  2  10  20%
g
So it increases by more than 19%
34. Acceleration due to gravity on the moon is 1/6 th of acceleration due to gravity on the
earth. If the ratio of densities of earth e and moon m is 5 : 3 , then the radius of moon
R m in terms of R e will be
5 1 3 1
a) Re b) Re c) Re d) Re [ a ]
18 6 18 2 3
Sol: given that
1
gm  g e
6
de 5

dm 3
4
We know g   .G.R.d
3
g  R.d
ge R d
 e e
gm R m d m
ge R 5
  e 
1
ge R m 3
6
R 5
6 e 
Rm 3
 3 R
6  e
5 Rm
R e 18

Rm 5
5
Rm  Re
18
35. The potential energy of gravitational interaction at a point mass m and a thin uniform rod
of mass M and length ‘l’, if they are located along a straight line at a distance from each
other is [ b ]

a) U 
GMm
log
 a  1 b) U  GMm  
1 1 

a a  a a l 

c) U 
GMm
log
 a  1 d) U 
GMm
l a a
Sol: A point mass m is placed at distance a from thin rod of mass M & L as shown
m dx M
a x dm l
We are asked to calculate G.P.E of the system
Let us consider a small element dx of mass dm at a distance x from m
M
dm  dx
l
The G.P.E interaction between m & dm
G.m.dm M
dU   dm  dx
x l
M dx
du  G.m
l x
Total G.P.E along all elements from a to a  l
a l a  l GMm dx
U   du  
a a l x
GMm a  l dx dx
     log x
l a x x
GMm
U
l
 log  a  l   log a 
GMm  a l 
U  log  
l  a 
36. Three particles each of mass M are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side
‘l’. if another particle of mass m is placed at the midpoint of any side, the gravitational
potential energy of the mass m is [ b ]
 2 GMm 2 GMm
a)
3 l
1 2 3   b)
3 l

1 2 3 
3 GMm 3 GMm
c)
2 l
1 2 3   d)
2 l
1 2 3  
Sol; we have placed three particles each of mass M at the vertices of an equilateral triangle
Another mass m is placed at mid point of BC i.e. D as shown
M
A

l l
3
l
2
M m M
B l /2 D l /2 C
l
The total G.P.E of m is
U = G.P.E of m with M A + G.P.E of m with M B + G.P.E of m with M C
Now we get
2
l
l     x2
2

2
 
 Mm Mm Mm  l2
U  G     l2   x2
 l l 3l  4
 2 2 
 2 
2 GMm  l2 3l 2
 U 1  2 3  l2   x2  x
3 l  4 4
3l
x
2
37. Two objects of masses m and 4m are at rest at an infinite separation. They move towards
each other under the mutual gravitational attraction. If G is the universal gravitational
constant, then at a separation r
a) The T.E of two objects is zero [ c ]
1
 10Gm  2
b) The relative velocity is   in magnitude
 r 
4Gm2
c) Total K.E’s of the objects is
r
d) Their relative velocity is zero
Sol: When two objects of
m1  m, m 2  4m are at infinite separation d 
G.P.E U i  0
 When they move due to mutual attraction up to d  r
4Gm 2
G.P.E U f 
r
4Gm 2
Change in PE = Total K.E 
r

38. The escape velocity from the earth is ve . A body is projected with velocity 2ve . The
velocity with which it moves in the interplanetary space is [ c ]
a) ve b) 3ve c) 3ve d) 5ve
Sol: T.E on earth = Total energy at inter planetary space
GMm 1 2 GMm 1
 m  2v e    mv2
r 2  2
GMm 1 2GM 1
  m4   0  mv2
r 2 r 2
GMm 4GMm 1
   mv2
r r 2
6GMm
 v2 
r
6GMm
vµ   3v e
r
39. If the distance between the earth and sun were half of its present value, the number of
days in a year would have been about [ b ]
a) 64.5 b) 129 c) 182.5 d) 730
Sol: let distance between earth and sun r1  r
T1  365days
now r2  r/2
T2  ?
2 3
 T2   r2 
   
 T1   r1 
2 3
 T2   1 
   
 365   2 
T22 1

365  365 8
365  365
T22 
8
 365
T2   129.04
2.82842