Important Questions for Class 11

Physics
Chapter 8 – Gravitation

Very Short Answer Questions 1 Mark

1. Why is gravitational potential energy always negative?

Ans: Gravitational force is always attractive because of which gravitational
potential energy is always negative.

2. At what height above the surface of the earth, the value of acceleration
due to gravity is reduced to one fourth of its value on the surface of the
earth?
Ans: Given,
g
gh 
4
As we know, gravity at some height is given by:
2
 R 
gh  g  
Rh
2
g  R 
  g 
4 Rh
R 1 1
  
Rh 4 2
 2R  R  h
 2R  R  h
h R
At height R above the surface of the earth, the value of acceleration due to
gravity is reduced to one fourth of its value on the surface of the earth.

3. Name two factors which determine whether a planet has an atmosphere

or not.
Ans: The factors that determine whether a planet has atmosphere or not are:
(1) Acceleration due to gravity at the planet's surface.
(2) Planet’s surface temperature.

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4. The gravitational force between two blocks is F . What would happen if
the mass of both the blocks as well as distance between them is doubled?
Ans: We know that the gravitational force is given by following expression:
Gm1m 2
F
r2
Here, the mass and distance between the two blocks are doubled i.e.,
m1  m 2  2m
r1  r2  2r
We use force of gravitation formula,
G(2m)(2m) Gm 2
F  2
4r 2 r
Force will remain the same when mass of both the blocks as well as distance
between them is doubled.

5. A body is weightless at the centre of earth. Why?

Ans: At the centre of the earth, g  0 .
Weight is given by:
w  mg
w 0
Therefore, the body is weightless at the centre of earth.

6. Where will a body weigh more? At Delhi or at Shimla? Why?

Ans: The value of acceleration due to gravity decreases at higher altitudes, due
to which a body will weigh more at Delhi.

7. On which fundamental law of physics is Kepler’s second law based?

Ans: The law of conservation of angular momentum is based on Kepler’s
second law.

8. Which is greater? The attraction of the earth for 1 kg of aluminium or

attraction of 1 kg of aluminium for the earth?
Ans: Both the forces are equal and opposite by the universal law of gravitation.

9. The distance between two bodies is increased to three times its original
value. What is the effect on the gravitational force between them?

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Ans: Since, we know that the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between the two bodies, i.e.,
1
F 2
r
Now, the distance between the two bodies is increased to three times its original
value, i.e.,
r '  3r
1
 Force will be increased by times.
9

10. Choose the correct alternative:

a) If the zero of potential energy is at infinity, the total energy of an
orbiting satellite is negative of its kinetic/potential energy.
Ans: Kinetic energy.
The sum of kinetic energy and potential energy is the total mechanical
energy. The satellite's gravitational potential energy is zero at infinity. As
we know, the Earth-satellite system is a bound system; then, the satellite's
total energy is negative.
Thus, at infinity, the orbiting satellite's total energy is equal to the negative
of its kinetic energy.

b) The energy required to launch an orbiting satellite out of earth's

gravitational influence is more/less than the energy required to
project a stationary object at the same height (as the satellite) out of
earth's influence.
Ans: Less.
An orbiting satellite gets a certain amount of energy that permits it to rotate
around the Earth. Its orbit gives this energy. It requires comparatively lesser
energy to go out of the influence of the Earth's gravitational field than a
fixed object on the Earth's surface that initially holds no energy.

Short Answer Questions 2 Marks

1.What is Kepler’s law of periods? Show it mathematically.

Ans: Kepler’s law of period says that the square of the period of the planet's
revolution around the sun is proportional to a planet to the cube of the semi-
major axis of the elliptical path.

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i.e.,
T2  R 3
T2  KR 3
Where, T is time period of evolution
R is the length of semi major axis
K is constant for all planets.

2. Write two characteristics of gravitational force.

Ans: The characteristics of gravitational force are:
1. Gravitational force is a central force and is always attractive.
2. It is a conservative force and a universal force.
3. It follows inverse square law.

3. Assuming earth to be a uniform sphere, find an expression for density of

earth in terms of g and G .
Ans: The formula for acceleration due to gravity is given by:
GM
g 2
R
Earth is a uniform sphere and its density is  , then acceleration due to gravity
will be,
G 4 
g  2  R 3 
R 3 
4
 g  GR
3
3g

4GR
Therefore, the density of earth in terms of g and G is given by the above
equation.

4. If radius of earth is 6400km , what will be the weight of 1 quintal body if

taken to the height of 1600km above the sea level?
Ans: Given:
Radius of earth, R  6400km
 R  6400 103 m
Weight of body is given by: w  mg
 w  mg  1 quintal

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As we know,
1 quintal  100kg
Therefore, weight will be,
mg  100  9.8N
Weight at a given height h will be,
weight(w)  mg h
2
 R 
Where, g h is the gravity at some height h given by g   .
Rh
Clearly,
2
 R 
w  mg  
Rh
After putting all the values, we get,
2
 6400 
w  100  9.8  
 1600  6400 
 w  64  9.8N
 w  627.2N
The weight of 1 quintal body will be 627.2N if taken to a height of 1600km
above the sea level.

5. The distance of the planet Jupiter from the sun is 5.2 times that of the
earth. Find the period of Jupiter's revolution around the sun.
Ans: As we know,
Time period of earth, Te  1year
Given radius of Jupiter, R J  5.2 R e
Here, we can use Kepler’s Third law,
2 3
 TJ   R J 
   
 Te   R e 
Where, R e is the radius of the Earth and TJ is the time period of revolution of
Jupiter. Determining TJ using Kepler’s law;
2 3
 T   5.2R e 
 J   
 1year   R e 
 TJ 2  140.608  1year
 TJ  11.86years

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The time period of Jupiter will be 11.86years .

6. Show that for a two particles system, F12  F21 .

Ans: Consider the figure given below:

Force on body 1 due to body 2 is:

Gm1m2
F12  rˆ21......(1)
r2
Force on body 2 due to body 1 is:
Gm1m2
F21  rˆ12 ......(2)
r2
 r 
As  r̂   , (1) and (2) can be rewritten as:
 | r | 
Gm1m2
F12  r21
r3
Gm1m2
F21  r12
r3
Since r21  r12 (Magnitudes of position vectors of masses are equal)
Gm1m2
 F21  r21
r3
 F21  F12
Hence proved.

7. State two essential requisites of a geostationary satellite.

Ans: The two essential requisites of geostationary satellite are:
a) The period of rotation of a satellite around the earth should be the same as
that of earth about its axis.
b) The sense of satellite rotation should be the same as that of the earth
about its axis, that is, from west to east in the anti-clockwise direction.

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8. Show that an artificial satellite circling round the earth in an orbit of
radius obeys Kepler’s third law.
Ans: Orbital velocity of a satellite is given by:
GM
v
r
Where, M is the mass of the earth
Time period of satellite is given by:
2r
T
v
2r
T
GM
r
r3
 T  2
GM
4 r
2 3
 T2 
GM
4 2
  R(constant)
GM
Thus , T2  r3
Hence proved.

9. A 400kg satellite in a circular orbit of radius 2 R E about the earth.

Calculate the kinetic energy, potential energy and total energy of the
satellite.
R E  6.4  106 m
M  6  1024 kg
Ans: Given that:
Mass of earth, M  6 24 kg
Mass of satellite, m  400kg
Radius of earth, R E  6.4  106 m
Also,
r  2R E
r  12.8 106 m

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Gravitational constant, G  6.67 104 Nm2kg 2
GMm
Kinetic energy, KE 
2r
11
GMm 6.67  10  6  1024  400
 
2r 2(12.8  106 )
 KE  6.25  109 joules
2GMm
Potential energy, P.E.   2K.E.
2r
 P.E.  2  6.25  109  12.5  109 joules
Total energy, T.E.  K.E.  P.E.
 T.E.  6.25  109 joules

10. Answer the following:

a) You can shield a charge from electrical forces by putting it inside a
hollow conductor. Can you shield a body from the gravitational
influence of nearby matter by putting it inside a hollow sphere or by
some other means?
Ans: No.
The gravitational force of matter on nearby objects cannot be eliminated by
any means. This is because gravitational force is independent of the nature
of the medium's material.

b) An astronaut inside a small spaceship orbiting around the earth

cannot detect gravity. If the space station orbiting around the earth
has a large size, can he hope to detect gravity?
Ans: Yes.
If the space station's size is large enough, then the astronaut will identify the
change in Earth's gravity.

c) If you compare the gravitational force on the earth due to the sun to
that due to the moon, you would find that the Sun's pull is greater
than the moon's pull. (You can check this yourself using the data
available in the succeeding exercises). However, the tidal effect of the
moon's pull is greater than the tidal effect of the sun. Why?
Ans: The tidal effect depends on the inverse of distance's cube while
gravitational force depends on the inverse of distance's square.

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 Since the distance between the Moon and the Earth is shorter than the
distance between the Sun and the Earth, the tidal influence of the Moon's
pull is higher than the tidal effect of the Sun's influence.

11. Does the escape speed of a body from the earth depend on
a) the mass of the body?
Ans: No.
Escape velocity of a body from the Earth is given by the relation:
v  2gR
The escape speed of a body does not depend on the mass of the body.

b) the location from where it is projected?

Ans: No.
Escape velocity of a body from the Earth is given by the relation:
v  2gR
The escape speed of a body does not depend on the location from where it is
projected.

c) the direction of projection?

Ans: No.
Escape velocity of a body from the Earth is given by the relation:
v  2gR
The escape speed of a body does not depend on the direction of projection.

d) the height of the location from where the body is launched?

Ans: Yes.
Escape velocity of a body from the Earth is given by the relation:
v  2gR
The escape speed of a body does slightly depend on the height of the
location from where the body is launched. This is because escape velocity is
slightly dependent on the gravitational potential at a certain height.

12. A comet orbits the Sun in a highly elliptical orbit. Does the comet have
a constant
a) linear speed?
Ans: No.

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 The expression for angular momentum is:
mv 2
L
r
As angular momentum is constant, linear speed varies as r varies.

b) angular speed?
Ans: No.
The expression for angular momentum is:
L  mw 2 r
As angular momentum is constant, angular speed varies as r varies.

c) angular momentum?
Ans. Yes.
There is no external torque and thus, the angular momentum is constant.

d) kinetic energy?
Ans: No.
The expression for kinetic energy is:
1
K  mv2
2
Kinetic energy is not constant because linear speed varies.

e) potential energy?
Ans: No.
By law of conservation of energy, total energy is constant and it is the sum
of potential energy and kinetic energy.
As kinetic energy is not constant, potential energy is also not constant.

f) total energy throughout its orbit? Neglect any mass loss of the comet
when it comes very close to the Sun.
Ans: Yes.
By law of conservation of energy, the total energy is constant.

13. As you have learnt in the text, a geostationary satellite orbits the earth
at a height of nearly 36,000km from the surface of the earth. What is the
potential due to earth's gravity at the site of this satellite? (Take the
potential energy at infinity to be zero).

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Mass of the earth = 6.0  1024 kg ,
radius = 6400km.
Ans: Mass of the Earth, M  6.0  1024 kg
Radius of the Earth, R  6400km  6.4 106 m
Height of a geostationary satellite from the surface of the Earth,
h  36000km  3.6  107 m
Gravitational potential energy due to Earth’s gravity at height h ,
GM
PE 
(R  h)
6.67 11  6.0  1024
 PE  
3.6  107  0.64  107
6.67  6
 PE    10137
4.24
 PE  9.4  106 Jkg 1
The potential energy due to earth's gravity at the site of this satellite is
9.4  106 Jkg 1 .

Short Answer Questions 3 Marks

1. A satellite is revolving in a circular path close to a planet of density  .

Find an expression for its period of revolution.
Ans: If satellite revolves around the Earth of radius r ,
2r
T
v
Where, v is orbital velocity given by,
Gm
v
r
2r 2r
T 
v Gm
r
r3
 T  2
Gm
If a satellite is revolving near the planet’s surface, then, r  R (radius of planet)
and

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 4
m  R 3
3
R3
 T  2
4
G R 3
3
3
 T  2
4G
3
T
G
3
Thus, the expression for time period of revolution of the satellite is T  .
G

2. How far away from the surface of earth does the value of g be reduced to
4% of its value on the surface of the earth?
Given radius of earth  6400km
Ans: We know, gravity at height h is given by:
2
 R 
gh  g   ……(1)
Rh
4g
Given: g h  4% of g  ……(2)
100
Radius of earth, R  6400km
After equating (1) and (2), we get,
2
4g  R 
 g 
100 Rh
2
4  R 
  
100  R  h 
2 R
 
10 R  h
 2R  2h  10R
 2h  8R
 h  4R  4  6400
 h  25,600km

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Therefore, 25600km is the height from the surface of earth when the value of g
gets reduced to 4% of its value on the surface of the earth.

3. Obtain an expression showing variation of acceleration due to gravity

with height.
Ans: Acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the earth is:
GM
g  2 ......(1)
R
Where G is the gravitational constant and M is the mass of the earth.

If g h is the acceleration due to gravity at a point situated at a height 'h ' above
the surface of the earth,
GM
gh  ......(2)
(R  h)2
Divide (2) by (1)
gh GM R2
 
g (R  h) 2 GM
gh R2
 
g (R  h) 2
 R2 
 gh  g  2 
 (R  h) 
If h  R then the above relation becomes
2
 h
g h  g 1  
 R
Expanding binomially and neglecting higher power;
 2h 
g h  g 1  
 R

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This is the expression for gravity at a height h .

4. Two uniform solid spheres of radii R and 2R are at rest with their
surfaces just touching. Find the force of gravitational attraction between
them if density of spheres be  .
Ans: The figure having two spheres of density  and radii R and 2R is shown
below:

Distance between the spheres:

s  OO'
 s  2R  R  3R
Gravitational force is given by:
Gm1m 2
F
r2
Where, m1 , m 2 are the masses of spheres.
r is the distance between two masses.
It is known that for a sphere, density is given by
m m 4 
   m    r 3 
V 4 3 3 
 r 
3 
Using the above relation, gravitational force can be written as
4  4 
G  (2R)3  R 3 
F   3 
3
2
(3R)
128 2 2 4
F  G R
27
This is the expression for force when  is the density of the sphere.

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5. For an artificial satellite, find expressions for
a) potential energy
Ans: Potential energy of a satellite is:
r
U   F dx


Where, F is the force.

r
GMm
U 2
dx

x
Where, M is the mass of earth; m is the mass of the satellite; x is the
distance of the satellite from the surface of the earth.
r
1
 U  GMm  2 dx

x
r
 1
 U  GMm   
 x 
 1 1
 U  GMm   
 r 
GMm
U
r
This is the expression of potential energy for an artificial satellite.

b) kinetic energy
Ans: Kinetic energy is given by:
1
K.E.  mv2
2
Where m is the mass and v is the velocity.
However, for artificial satellites, velocity is given by
GM
v
r
Where G is the gravitational constant; M is the mass of earth and r is the
radius of the earth.
1  GM 
 K.E.  m  
2  r 
GMm
 K.E.  K 
2r

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 This is the expression of kinetic energy for an artificial satellite.

c) total energy
Ans: Total energy of satellite is given by:
TE  U  K
GMm GMm
 TE   
r 2r
GMm
 TE  
2r
This is the expression of total energy for an artificial satellite.

6. Suppose there existed a planet that went around the sun twice as fast as
the earth. What would be its orbital size as compared to that of the earth?
Ans: Time taken by the Earth to complete one revolution, Te  1 year .
Orbital radius of the Earth in its orbit, R e  1AU .
1 1
Time taken by the planet to complete one revolution, Tp  Te  year .
2 2
Orbital radius of the planet  R p .
From Kepler's third law of planetary motion, we can write:
3 2
 R p   Tp 
   
 e   Te 
R
2
Rp T  3
  p 
R e  Te 
2
1 3
Rp  
  2 
Re  1 
 
2
Rp
  (0.5) 3
Re
Rp
  0.63
Re
Hence, the orbital radius of the planet will be 0.63 times smaller than that of the
Earth.

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7. Which of the following symptoms is likely to afflict an astronaut in space
a) swollen feet
Ans: Legs hold the whole mass in a standing place due to gravitational
force.
In space, an astronaut appears weightless because of the absence of gravity.
Therefore, swollen feet of a spaceman do not affect him/her in space.

b) swollen face
Ans: A swollen face is usually caused because of seeming weightlessness in
space.
Sense organs such as the nose, eyes, ears, and mouth establish a person's
face. This symptom can affect a spacewalker in space.

c) headache
Ans: Headaches are because of mental stress. It can influence the working
of an astronaut in space.

d) orientational problem
Ans: Space has diverse orientations.
Therefore, orientational difficulty can affect an astronaut in space.

8. How will you 'weigh the sun', that is, estimate its mass? The mean orbital
radius of the earth around the sun is 1.5  108 km .
Ans: Orbital radius of the Earth around the Sun, r  1.5 1011 m .
Time taken by the Earth to cover one revolution around the Sun,
T  1 year
 T=365.25 days
We get,
T=365.25  24  60  60s
Universal gravitational constant,
G  6.67  1011 Nm2kg 2 .
Thus, we can use the relation given below for calculating the mass of the Sun,
4 2 r 3
M
GT 2
4  2  (1.5  1011 )3
M
6.67  1011    24  60  60) 2

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 133.24  1033
M
6.64  104
 M  2.0 1030 kg
Hence, the mass of the Sun is 2  1030 kg .

9. A Saturn year is 29.5 times the earth year. How far is the Saturn from
the sun if the earth is 1.50  108 km away from the sun?
Ans: Distance of the Earth from the Sun, re  1.5 8 km  1.5  1011 m
Time period of the Earth  Te
Time period of Saturn, Ts  29.5Te
Distance of Saturn from the Sun  rs
From Kepler's third law of planetary motion, we have,
1
 42 r 3  2
T 
 GM 
For Saturn and Sun, we can write,
rs3 Ts 2

re3 Te 2
2
 Ts  3
 rs  re  
 Te 
2

11  29.5Te 
3
 rs  1.5  10  
 Te 
2
 rs  1.5  10 (29.5)
11 3

 rs  1.5  1011  9.55

 rs  14.32  1011 m
Hence, the distance between Sun and Saturn is 1.43  1012 m .

10. Assuming the earth to be a sphere of uniform mass density, how much
would a body weigh half way down to the centre of the earth if it weighed
250N on the surface?
Ans: Weight of a body of mass m at the Earth's surface is given by,
W  mg  250N

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 1
Body of mass m is located at depth, d  R e
2
Where, R e is the radius of the Earth.
Acceleration due to gravity at depth g d is given by the relation:
 d 
g d  1  g
 Re 
 Re  1
 1  g  g
 2  Re  2
Weight of the body at depth d ,
W '  mg
1 1 1
 W'  m  g  mg  W
2 2 2
1
 W'   250  125N
2
The weight of body half way down to the centre of the earth is 125N.

11. A star 2.5 times the mass of the sun and collapsed to a size of 12km
rotates with a speed of 1.2 evolutions per second. (Extremely compact stars
of this kind are known as neutron stars. Certain stellar objects called
pulsars belong to this category). Will an object placed on its equator
remain stuck to its surface due to gravity? (Mass of the sun  2  1030 kg ).
Ans: Yes.
A body gets held to the star's surface if the inward gravitational force is larger
than the outward centrifugal force generated by the star's rotation.
Gravitational force,
GMm
fg 
R2
Where, M is mass of the star, M  2.5   1030  5  1030 kg
m is the mass of the body
R is the radius of star, R  12km  1.2 104 m
6.67  1011  5  1030  m
 fg 
(1.2  104 ) 2
fg  2.311011 mN
Centrifugal force, f c  mr2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 19

  Angular speed  2v
v  Angular frequency  1.2rev s 1
fc  mR(2v)2
 fc  m  (1.2  104 )  4  (3.14)2  (1.2)2
 f c  1.7  105 mN
Since f g  f c , the body will remain held to the surface of the star.

Long Answer Questions 4 Marks

1. Choose the correct alternative:

a) Acceleration due to gravity increases/decreases with increasing
altitude.
Ans: Acceleration due to gravity decreases with increasing altitude.
Acceleration due to gravity at height h is given by:
 2h 
g h  1  g
 R e 

Where, R e  Radius of the Earth

g  Acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Earth
It is clear from the relation that acceleration due to gravity lowers with a
height increment.

b) Acceleration due to gravity increases/decreases with increasing

depth. (Assume the earth to be a sphere of uniform density).
Ans: Acceleration due to gravity decreases with increasing depth.
Acceleration due to gravity at depth d is given by:
 d 
g d  1  g
 Re 
It is clear from the relation that acceleration due to gravity lowers with a
depth increment.

c) Acceleration due to gravity is independent of mass of the earth/mass

of the body.
Ans: Acceleration due to gravity is independent of mass of the body.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 20

 GM
Acceleration due to gravity of body having mass m is given by: g 
R2
Where, G = Universal gravitational constant
M = Mass of the Earth
R = Radius of the Earth
Hence, it is clear that acceleration due to gravity is not dependent on the
body's mass.

1 1
d) The formula  GMm    is more/less accurate than the formula
 r2 r1 
mg(r2  r1 ) for the difference of potential energy between two points
and distance away from the centre of the earth.
Ans: Gravitational potential energy of two points at r2 and r1 distance away
from the Earth centre is given by:
GmM
V(r1 )   and
r1
GmM
V(r2 )  
r2
 Difference in potential energy,
V  V(r2 )  V(r1 )
1 1
 V  GMm   
 r2 r1 
Hence, this formula is more reliable than the formula mg(r2  r1 ) .

2. Let us assume that our galaxy consists of 2.5  1011 stars each of one solar
mass. How long will a star at a distance of 50,000ly from the galactic
centre to complete one revolution? Take the diameter of the Milky Way to
be 105 ly .
Ans: Mass of galaxy Milky way, M  2.5 1011 solar mass
Solar mass = Mass of sun  2.0 1036 kg
Mass of our galaxy, M  2.5 1011  2 1035
M  5  1041 kg
Diameter of Milky Way, d  105 ly

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 21

Radius of Milky Way, r  5 104 ly
1 ly  9.46 15 m
r  5  104  9.46 15
 r  4.73  1020 m
Since a star rotates around the galactic centre of the Milky Way, its time period
is given by:
1
 42 r 3  2  4   3.14    4.73  1060 
2 3

T   
 GM   6.67  10  5  10 
11 41

1
 T  125.27  10 
30 2

 T  1.12 1016 s
As we know,
1 year  365  24  60  60s
We get,
1
1s  years
365  24  60  60
1.12 1016
 1.12  10 s 
16

365  24  60  60
1.12  10 s  3.55 108 years
16

Star will take 3.55 108 years to complete one revolution.

3. A body weighs 63N on the surface of the earth. What is the gravitational
force on it due to the earth at a height equal to half the radius of the earth?
Ans: Weight of the body, W  63N
Acceleration due to gravity at height h from the Earth’s surface
R e  Radius of the Earth
R
For h  e , gravity at h is given by:
2
g
gh  2
 h 
1  
 Re 

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 22

 g
 gh  2
 1
1  
 2
4
 gh  g
9
Weight of a body of mass m at height h is given as:
W '  mg h
4
 W'  m g
9
4
 W '   mg
9
4
 W'  W
9
4
 W'   63
9
 W'  28N
Thus, the gravitational force on the body due to the earth at a height equal to
half the radius of the earth is 28N .

4. The escape speed of a projectile on the earth's surface is 11.2kms1 . A

body is projected out with thrice this speed. What is the speed of the body
far away from the earth? Ignore the presence of the sun and other planets.
Ans: Projectile’s escape velocity from the Earth, vesc  11.2kms1
Projection velocity of the projectile, v p  3vesc
Mass of the projectile  m
Projectile’s velocity far away from the Earth  v f
1 1
Projectile’s total energy on the Earth  mvp 2  mvesc 2
2 2
The projectile's gravitational potential energy far away from the Earth is zero.
1
Total energy of the projectile far away from the Earth  mvf 2
2
From the law of energy conservation, we have
1 1 1
mvp 2  mvesc 2  mvf 2
2 2 2
We get,

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 23

vf  vp 2  vesc 2
 vf  (3vesc )2  (vesc ) 2
 vf  8v esc
 v f  8  11.2
 vf  31.68kms 1
Thus, the speed of the body far away from the earth is 31.68kms1 .

5. Choose the correct answer from among the given ones:

The gravitational intensity at the centre of a hemispherical shell of uniform
mass density has the direction indicated by the arrow (see Fig 8.12).
 a,
 b,
 c,
 O

Ans: Option (iii) is correct.

Gravitational potential ( V ) is fixed at all points in a spherical shell. Hence, the
 dV 
potential gravitational gradient   is zero everywhere inside the spherical
 dr 
surface.
The potential gravitational gradient is equivalent to the negative of gravitational
intensity. Hence, intensity is also zero at all locations inside the spherical shell.
This shows that gravitational forces operating at a point in a spherical shell are
symmetric.
If the top half of a spherical shell is cut out, then the net gravitational force
working on a particle located at centre O will be downward.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 24

Since gravitational intensity is described as the gravitational force per unit mass
at that location, it will also act downward. Thus, the gravitational intensity at the
centre of the given hemispherical shell has the direction indicated by the arrow
c.

6. Choose the correct answer from among the given ones:

For the problem 8.10, the direction of the gravitational intensity at an
arbitrary point P is indicated by the arrow
 d,
 e,
 f,
 g.
Ans: Option (ii) is correct.
Gravitational potential ( V ) is fixed at all points in a spherical shell. Hence, the
 dV 
potential gravitational gradient   is zero everywhere inside the spherical
 dr 
surface.
The potential gravitational gradient is equivalent to the negative of gravitational
intensity. Hence, intensity is also zero at all locations inside the spherical shell.
This shows that gravitational forces operating at a point in a spherical shell are
symmetric.
If the top half of a spherical shell is cut out, then the net gravitational force
working on a particle located at centre P will be downward.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 25

Since gravitational intensity is described as the gravitational force per unit mass
at that location, it will also act downward.
Thus, the gravitational intensity at the arbitrary point P of the given
hemispherical shell has the direction indicated by the arrow e .

7. A satellite orbits the earth at a height of 400km above the surface. How
much energy must be expended to rocket the satellite out of the earth's
gravitational influence?
Mass of the satellite  200kg ;
mass of the earth  6.0  1024 kg ;
radius of the earth  6.4  106 ; G  6.67  1011 Nm2kg 2 .
Ans: Given that,
Mass of the Earth, Me  6.0  1024 kg
Mass of the satellite, m  200kg
Radius of the Earth, R e  6.4  106 m
Universal gravitational constant, G  6.67  1011 Nm2kg 2
Height of the satellite, h  400km  4  105 m  0.4 106 m
Total energy of the satellite at height h ,
1  GM e m 
TE  mv 2   
2  Re  h 
GM e
Orbital velocity of the satellite, v 
Re  h

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 26

 1  GM e  GM em 1  GM em 
Total energy at height h , TE  m       
2  Re  h  Re  h 2  Re  h 
The negative sign explains that the satellite is attached to the Earth. This is
called the bound energy of the satellite.
The energy needed to send the satellite out of its orbit is equal to the negative of
Bound energy.
1  GM e m 
Bound energy is, BE   
2  Re  h 
Where, M e is the mass of the Earth.
R e is the radius of the Earth.
h is the height.
m is the mass of the satellite.
1 6.67  1011  6.0  1024  200
 BE  
2  6.4 106  0.4 106 
1 6.67  6  2  10
 BE  
2 6.4  106
 BE  5.9  109 J
Clearly, 5.9  109 J energy must be expended to rocket the satellite out of the
earth's gravitational influence.

Long Answer Questions 5 Marks

1. Define gravitational potential energy. Hence deduce an expression for

gravitational potential energy of a body placed at a point near the surface
of earth.
Ans: The gravitational potential energy is described as the work done in taking
a body from infinity to that point, where it is being measured.

For a body having mass ( m ) lying at a distance x from mass of earth ( M ):

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 27

 GMm
F
x2
If the body is displaced through a distance dx ,then
GMm
dw  Fdx  dx
x2
Total work done,
r
GMm
w 2
dx

x
r
1
 w  GMm  2
dx

x
 1 
r

 w  GMm  
 x 
1 1 
 w  GMm   
r 
GMm
w
r
This work done is equal to gravitational potential energy.
GMm
w  Ug 
r
This is an expression for the gravitational potential energy of a body placed at a
point near the surface of earth.

2. I O , one of the satellites of Jupiter, has an orbital period of 1.769 days

and the radius of the orbit is 4.22  108 m . Show that the mass of Jupiter is
about one-thousandth that of the sun.
Ans: Given that,
Orbital period of IO  TIO  1.769days  1.769    60  60s
Orbital radius of IO  R IO  4.22 108 m
Satellite I O is revolving around Jupiter.
Mass of the Jupiter is given by:
42 R 3Io
MJ  ......(i)
GTI2o
Where, M J = Mass of Jupiter

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 28

G is the Universal gravitational constant
Orbital period of the Earth,
Te  365.25days  365.25   60  60s
Orbital radius of the Earth,
R e  1AU  1.496  1011 m
Mass of sun is given as:
42 R 3e
Ms  ......(ii)
GTe2
MS 42R 3e GTIo2 R 3e TIo2
    
MJ GTe2 42R 3Io R 3Io Te2
3
MS  1.769  24  60  60   1.496  1011 
2

    
M J  365.25  24  60  60   4.22  108 
M
 S  1045.04
MJ
M
 s 1000
MJ
We get,
M s 1000  M J
Hence, it can be concluded that the mass of Jupiter is about one-thousandth that
of the Sun.

3. A rocket is fired from the earth towards the sun. At what distance from
the earth's centre is the gravitational force on the rocket zero?
Mass of the sun  2  1030 kg , mass of the earth  6  1024 kg . Neglect the
effect of other planets etc. (orbital radius  1.5  1011 m ).
Ans: Mass of the Sun, Ms  2  1030 kg
Mass of the Earth, Me  6  1024 kg
Orbital radius, r  1.5 1011 m
Mass of the rocket= m

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 29

Let x be the distance from the Earth centre where the gravitational force
working on satellite P becomes zero.
From Newton's law of gravitation, we can equalize gravitational forces acting
on satellite P under the effect of the Sun and the Earth as:
GmM s M
 Gm 2e
r  x
2
x
We get,
 r  x  Ms
2

  
 x  Me
1
r  x  2   30 2
  24 
 577.35
x  60  10 
 1.5  10  x  577.35x
11

 578.35x  1.5 1011

1.5  1011
x  2.59  108 m
578.35
Therefore, 2.59  108 m is the distance from the earth's centre at which the
gravitational force on the rocket is zero.

4. A rocket is fired vertically with a speed of 5kms 1 from the earth's

surface. How far from the earth does the rocket go before returning to the
earth? Mass of the earth  6.0  1024 kg ; mean radius of the earth
 6.4  106 m;G  6.67  1011 Nm2kg 2 .
Ans: Distance from the centre of the Earth  8  106 m
Velocity of the rocket, v  5kms1  5  103 ms1
Mass of the Earth, Me  6.0  1024 kg
Radius of the Earth, R e  6.4  106 m
Height reached by rocket mass m , is h .

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 30

At the surface of the Earth,
Total energy of the rocket = Kinetic energy + Potential energy
1  GM e m 
 mv 2   
2  Re 
At highest point h, v  0
GM e m
And, Potential energy  
Re  h
 GM e m  GM e m
Total energy of the rocket  0   
 Re  h  Re  h
From the law of energy conservation, we have
Total energy of the rocket at the Earth's surface = Total energy of rocket at
height h .
We have,
1  GM e m  GM e m
mv 2    
2  Re  Re  h
1  1 1 
 v 2  GM e   
2  Re Re  h 
1  R  h  Re 
 v 2  GM e  e 
2  R e (R e  h) 
1 GM e h R
 v2   e
2 R e (R e  h) R e
1 gR e h
 v2 
2 Re  h
GM
Where, g  2  9.8ms 2 , is the acceleration due to gravity on the Earth’s
Re
surface.
Clearly,
v2 (R e  h)  2gR eh
 v2R e  h(2gR e  v2 )
R e v2
h
2gR e  v2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 31

 6.4   1012
h
100.44 6
 h  1.6  106 m
Height achieved by the rocket with respect to the centre of the Earth, H is given
by: H  R e  h
 H  6.4 106  1.6 106
We get,
H  8.0 106 m
The distance from the earth is 8.0 106 m where the rocket goes before returning
to the earth.

5. Two stars each of one solar mass (  2  1030 kg ) are approaching each
other for a head on collision. When they are a distance 109 km , their speeds
are negligible. What is the speed with which they collide? The radius of
each star is 104 km . Assume the stars to remain undistorted until they
collide. (Use the known value of G ).
Ans: Mass of each star, M  2  1030 kg
Radius of each star, R  104 km  107 m
Distance between the stars, r  109 km  1012 m
For negligible speeds, v  0
Total energy of two stars separated at distance r is given by
GMM 1 2
TE   mv
r 2
GMM
 TE   0. ……(i)
r
Now, consider the case when the stars are about to collide:
Velocity of the stars  v
Distance between the centres of the stars  2R
1 1
Total kinetic energy of both stars  Mv2  Mv2  Mv2
2 2
GMM
Total potential energy of both stars 
2R
GMM
Total energy of the two stars  Mv2  ........(ii)
2R
Using the law of conservation of energy, we can write:

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 32

 GMM GMM
Mv2  
2R R
GM GM  1 1 
 v2    GM    
r 2r  r 2R 
 1 1 
 v 2  6.67 10  2  1030   12 
 10 2  107 
 v 2  13.34  1019  1012  5  108 
 v2 13.34 1019  5 108
 v2 6.67 1012
 v  6.67  1012
 v  2.58 106 m / s
The speed with which the two stars collide is 2.58  106 m / s .

6. Two heavy spheres each of mass 100kg and radius 0.10m are placed
1.0m apart on a horizontal table. What is the gravitational force and
potential at the midpoint of the line joining the centres of the spheres? Is an
object placed at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the equilibrium stable or
unstable?
Ans: The situation is represented in the given figure:

Mass of each sphere, M  100kg

Separation between the spheres, r  1m
X is the midpoint between the spheres. Gravitational force at point X will be
zero. This is because the gravitational force applied by each sphere will act in
opposite directions.
GM GM
Gravitational potential at point X  
r r
   
2 2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 33

 GM
 PE  4
r
4    1011  100
 PE 
r
 PE  2.67  108 J / kg
Any object placed at point X will be in equilibrium state, but the equilibrium is
unstable. This is because any change in the position of the object will vary the
effective force in that direction.

7. A spaceship is stationed on Mars. How much energy must be expended

on the spaceship to launch it out of the solar system?
Mass of the spaceship  1000kg ; mass of the Sun  2  1030 kg ;
mass of mars  6.4  1023 kg ; radius of mars  3395km ;
radius of the orbit of mars  2.28  108 kg;G  6.67  1011 m2kg 2 .
Ans: Mass of the spaceship, ms  1000kg
Mass of the Sun, M  2 30 kg
Mass of Mars, Mm  6.4 1023 kg
Orbital radius of Mars, R  2.28  108 kg  2.28  1011 m
Radius of Mars, r  3395km  3.395 106 m
Universal gravitational constant, G  6.67  1011 m2kg 2
Potential energy of the spaceship due to the gravitational attraction of the Sun
GMms

R
Potential energy of the spaceship due to the gravitational attraction of Mars
GM m ms

r
Since the spaceship is stationed on Mars, its velocity and hence, its kinetic
energy will be zero.
GMms GMmms
Total energy of the spaceship  
R r
M M 
TE  Gms   m 
R r 
The negative sign indicates that the system is in a bound state.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 34

Energy required for launching the spaceship out of the solar system = – (Total
energy of the spaceship)
We have,
M m 
E  Gms   m 
R r 
11  2  1030 6.4  1023 
 E  6.67   10  
3
 
 2.28  10 3.395  105 
11

 E  6.67  108  87.72  1017  1.88  1017 

 E  6.67 108 1.88 1017
 E  596.97 109
 E  6 1011 J
The required energy for spaceship to launch it out of the solar system is
6  1011 J .

8. A rocket is fired 'vertically' from the surface of mars with a speed of

2km / s . If 20% of its initial energy is lost due to Martian atmospheric
resistance, how far will the rocket go from the surface of mars before
returning to it? Mass of mars  6.4  1023 kg ; radius of mars  3395km ;
G  6.67  1011 Nm2kg 2 .
Ans: Initial velocity of the rocket, v  2km / s  2 103 m / s
Mass of Mars, M  6.4  1023 kg
Radius of Mars, R  3395km  3.395  106 m
Universal gravitational constant, G  6.67  1011 Nm2kg 2
Mass of the rocket  m
1
Initial kinetic energy of the rocket  mv 2
2
GMm
Initial potential energy of the rocket 
R
1 GMm
Total initial energy  mv2 
2 R
If 20% of initial kinetic energy is lost due to Martian atmospheric resistance,
then it shows only 80% of its kinetic energy helps in reaching a height.
80 1 2 GMm
Total initial energy available, TE   mv 
100 2 R

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 35

 GMm
TE  0.4mv2 
R
Maximum height reached by the rocket  h
At this height, the velocity and hence, the kinetic energy of the rocket will
become zero.
GMm
Total energy of the rocket at height h,  
R  h
Applying the law of energy conservation for the rocket, we can write:
GMm GMm
0.4mv 2  
R R  h
GM GM
 0.4v2  
R Rh
1 1 
 0.4v 2  GM   
R Rh
R hR 
 0.4v 2  GM  
 R R  h 
After solving further, we get
GMh
0.4v 2 
R R  h
Rh GM
 
h 0.4v 2R
R GM
 1 
h 0.4v 2R
R GM
  1
h 0.4v 2R
R
h
GM
1
0.4v2 R
0.4R 2 v2
h
GM  0.4v2R
Putting all the values, we get,
0.4   3.395  106    2  103 
2 2

h
6.67 11  6.4  1023  0.4   2  103    3.395  106 
2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 36

 18.442  1018
h
42.688  1012  53432  1012
18.442
h  106
37.256
 h  495 103 m
 h  495km
So, the height attained by the rocket from the surface will be 495km .

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 37