GRAVITATION

1. Gravitational Force between Two Point Masses is At poles, ¢ =

90°, g' =8 = maximum value.

F=G m2 At equator effect of rotation of earth is maximum

2 and value of g is minimum.
At pole effect of rotation of earth is zero and value of
2. Acceleration Due to Gravity
g is maximum.
GM
G) On the surface of earth g =
=9.81 ms
R2
3. Field Strength
(ii) At height h from the surface of earth, ) Gravitational field strength at a point in gravitational
R F
field is defined as, E ==m gravitational force per
unit mass.
ifh <<R (ii) Due to a point mass
ii) At depth d from the surface of earth,
EA
81R R
g 0 if d = R i.e. at centre of earth
(iv) Effect of rotation of earth at latitude o,
&8 -Ra cos
At equator o 0, &'
= =
8g -

Ro
= minimum value
 Chapter Crux Points 15
E GM
.2 (towards the mass) At x = 0, E = 0
r
i.e. at centre
or E GM
Ifx >>R, E =

x2
(i) Due to a solid sphere i.e. ring behaves as a point mass
E As x-o,E »0
E max 2GM at x R
GM 3/3R2 2
R2
4. Gravitational Potential
(i) Gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational
field is defined as the negative of work done by
gravitational force in moving a unit mass from
Inside points infinity to that point. Thus,
GM W P
ER3 Vp m

At r= 0, E =0 (ii) Due to a point mass

i.e. at centre

At r =R, E = i.e. on surface

R2
GM
Outside points, E, = or E,
At
GM i.e. on surface
Tr=R,
R,EE = =

R2
As r , E > 0
On the surface E - r graph is continuous. Gm
V=-
r
Civ) Due to a spherical shell
V - o as r > 0

and V> 0 a s r > co

(ii). Due to a solid sphere

G
R? GM (1.
Inside points V =- R3 1.5R- 0.5r<)
GM
Atr=R, V=- i.e. on surtace
R
Inside points, E; = 0 Atr 0, V=- 1.5 i.e. at centre.
R
GM
:
Outside points, E, =

V-r graph is parabolic for inside points and potential

GM at surface.
=- at centre is 1.5 times the potential
Just outside the surface, E
R2 GM
is discontinuous. Outside points V, =

On the surface E rgraph

-

(v) On the axis of a ring

Ema GM
R
1.5GM
R

GM i.e. on surtace
Atr=R, V=--
R
GMx V> 0
Asr oo,
ExR? + x*34
16 Chapter Crux Points GMm
Civ) Due to a spherical shell Uo R
V
Un

R
Uo
GM
R

GM
Inside points V, = - Constant and potential energy at height h is
R
GMm
GM
Outside points V, =- U (R +h)
(v) On the axis of a ring The difference in potential energy would be

AU=
mgh
VA AU =
Uh -Uo or
1+
R
If h << R, AU = mgh

6. Relation between Field Strength E and Potential V

M
) IEV is a function of only one variable (say r) then,

GM E - 4 = - slope of V-r graph

V dr
R2+2 (i) If V is a function of three coordinate variables x, y
At x = 0, V=-i.e. at centre. and z then,
R
This is the minimum value.
As x o, V>0
5. Gravitational Potential Energy 7. Escape Velocity
() This is negative of w rk A ine by gravitational forces (i) From the surface of earth,
in making the systeni rom infinite separation to the
GM
present position.
i) Gravitational potential energy of two point masses, is
2gR =/2GM
R as gRe
= 11.2 kms-1
U=-Gmm,
r ii) Escape velocity does not depend upon the angle at
(ii) To find gravitational potential energy of more than which particle is projected from the surface.
two point masses we have to make pairs of masses.
8. Motion of Satellites
Neither of the pair should be repeated. For example,
in case of four point masses, (i) Orbital speed v, = GM
r
U =- mma mam2m4m1 mam2
TA2 (ii) Time period T 27T3/2
VGM
mg m
(ii) Kinetic energy K =
T21 2r
For n point masses, total number of pairs will be
nn 1)
(iv) Potential energy U = - GMm
r
2 (v) Total mechanical energy
(iv) Ifa point mass m is placed on the surface of earth, the
=_GMm
potential energy here is 2r
 Chapter Crux Points 17
Near the surface of earth, r = R and Second law The radius vector, drawn from the sum to a
planet, sweeps out equal areas in equal time interval i.e.
GM =7.9 kms.
R=R
VgR areal velocity is constant. This law is derived from law of
conservation of angular momentum.
This is the maximum speed of earth's satellite.
dA L
Time period of such a satellite would bbe,
dt 2m
=
constant.
T=
T JGM 27tR3/2 2 = =84.6 min
Here L isangular momentum and m is mass ofplanet.
VGM 8
This is the minimum time period of any earth'ssatellite. Third law T r where r is semi-major axis of elliptical
«

path.
9. Kepler's Laws Circle is a sphericial case of an ellipse. Therefore, second
Kepler's three empirical laws describe the motion of and third laws can also be applied for circular path. In
planets. First law Each planet moves in an elliptical orbit, third law, r is radius of circular path.
with the sun at one focus of the ellipse.