GRAVITATION 1

EXERCISE – 3: Achiever’s Section

1. Three identical point masses, each of mass 1kg lie in
the x-y plane at points (0, 0), (0, 0.2m) and (0.2m, 0).
The net gravitational force on the mass at the origin is

 
(a) 1.67  10 9 i  j N  
(b) 3.34  1010 i  j N

(c) 1.67  10 9 i  j N (d) 3.34  1010 i  j N

Ans: (a) G  2m  m 4Gm 2
F 2

Solution:  a  a2
 
 2
 4 2Gm 2
Fnet  F 2 
a2
3. The distance of the centres of moon and earth is D.
The mass of earth is 81 times the mass of the moon.
At what distance from the centre of the earth, the
gravitational force will be zero
(a) D/2 (b) 2D/3
F1  F2  F (c) 4D/3 (d) 9D/10

Fnet  F1 i  F2 j Ans: (d)

 
 F i  j
Solution:

Gm1 m 2 6.67  10  11

11
F 
 0.2 
2 2
R

 1.67  109 G  81M  GM

 
 Fnet  1.67  10 9 i  j N
   D  x
2 2
x
81 1
 
2. Four particles of masses m, 2m, 3m and 4m are kept x 2  D  x 2
in sequence at the corners of a square of side a. The
9 1
magnitude of gravitational force acting on a particle  
of mass m placed at the centre of the square will be x Dx
 9D  9x  x
24m 2 G 6m2 G
(a) (b) 9D
a2 a2 x
10
2
(c) 4 2G2 m (d) zero Acceleration due to Gravity
a
Ans: (c) 4. Two planets have the same average density but their
Solution: radii are R1 and R2. If acceleration due to gravity on
these planets be g1 and g2 respectively, then
g1 R1 g1 R 2
(a)  (b) 
g2 R 2 g 2 R1
2 3
g1 R 1 g1 R 1
(c)  2 (d)  3
g2 R 2 g2 R 2
GRAVITATION 2

Ans: (a) (c) 4 R (d) 0.5 R

Solution: Ans: (d)
4 Solution:
g GR as G,  are constant here
3
GR
g1 R1
 
g2 R 2
5. Assume that the acceleration due to gravity on the
surface of the moon is 0.2 times the acceleration due
to gravity on the surface of the earth. If R e is the gx

maximum range of a projectile on the earth’s surface, GMx

g
what is the maximum range on the surface of the R3
moon for the same velocity of projection x = distance from centre
(a) 0.2 R e (b) 2 R e g1 x
 
(c) 0.5 R e (d) 5 R e g2 R

Ans: (d) 1 x
 
Solution: 2 R

 2u sin   R
Range of projectile   u cos   x
 2
 g 
 0.5 R
1
R
g
8. Suppose a vertical tunnel is dug along the diameter of
R g 1 earth assumed to be a sphere of uniform mass having
 M  e  5
R e g M 0.2 density . If a body of mass m is thrown in this
 R M  5R e tunnel, its acceleration at a distance y from the centre
is given by
6. The depth d at which the value of acceleration due to
1
gravity becomes times the value at the surface, is
n
[R = radius of the earth]
R n 1
(a) (b) R  
n  n 
R
(d) R 
n 
(c) 
n2  1
n
4 3
Ans: (b) (a) G ym (b) Gy
3 4
 d g  d
Solution: g  g 1      1   4 4
 R g  R (c) y (d) G  y
3 3
1  d  1  n 1 
   1    d  1   R   R Ans: (d)
n  R  n  n 
4 
G  R 3  y
7. At what distance from the centre of the earth, the GMy 3   4 Gy
Solution: g  
value of acceleration due to gravity g will be half that R3 R3 3
on the surface (R = radius of earth)
(a) 2 R (b) R
GRAVITATION 3

9. At what height above the earth’s surface is the

acceleration due to gravity 1% less than its value at
the surface? [R = 6400 km]
(a) 16 km (b) 32 km
(c) 64 km (d) 3 2 2 k m
Ans: (b)
 2h   g  g  200h
Solution: g   g  1    100  
 R   g  R
200h R 6400 km
 1 h   32 km
R 200 200

10. Two concentric shells of mass M1 and M2 are having

(a) I1  I 2 (b) I1  I 2
radii r1 and r2. Which of the following is the correct
expression for the gravitational field on a mass m. (c) I1  I 2 (d) No definite relation
Ans: (c)
Solution:
Gravitation field at inner point of shell = 0.

12. A uniform ring of mass m and radius r is placed

directly above a uniform sphere of mass M and of
equal radius. The centre of the ring is at a distance
3 r from the centre of the sphere. The gravitational
force exerted by the sphere on the ring will be
GMm GMm
(a) (b)
8r 2 4r 2
G  M1  M 2 
(a) I  for r  r1 3 GMm GMm
r2 (c) (d)
8r 2 16r 2
G  M1  M 2  Ans: (c)
(b) I  for r  r2
r2
Solution:
M
(c) I  G 22 for r1  r  r2
r
GM1
(d) I  for r1  r  r2
r2
Ans: (d)
Solution: Gravitational field due to outer shell = 0
GM
 I 21
r

11. A spherical shell is cut into two pieces along a chord

as shown in the figure. P is a point on the plane of the dFsin  will be cancelled
chord. The gravitational field at P due to the upper  F   dF cos 
part is I1 and that due to the lower part is I2. What is
GMdm 3
the relation between them  
4r 2 2
GRAVITATION 4

3 GM 3GMm
2 
 dm 
8 r 8r 2

13. A solid sphere of radius R/2 is cut out of a solid

sphere of radius R such that the spherical cavity so
formed touches the surface on one side and the centre
of the sphere on the other side, as shown. The initial
mass of the solid sphere was M. If a particle of mass 1 3
m is placed at a distance 2.5 R from the centre of the (a) (b)
2 4
cavity, then what is the gravitational attraction on the
7 9
mass m? (c) (d)
8 7
Ans: (d)
Solution:

GMm GMm
(a) (b)
R2 2R 2
GMm 23 GMm GMm GMm
(c) (d) F1  
 2R 
2
8R 2 100 R 2 4R 2
Ans: (d) M
G m
GMm 8 7 GMm
  2 
Solution:
F2 
 2R 2 3 
R
26 R2
 
2 
F1 9
 
F2 7

15. The following figure shows two shells of masses m1

and m2. The shells are concentric. At which point, a
Mass of extracted part from gravity
particle of mass m shall experience zero force?
3
4 R
M  
3 2 M
m  
4 3 8
R
3
Using principle of superposition.
M
G m
GMm
  2 
8 23 GMm
Net force 
 2R   2.5R 
2
100 R3 (a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
14. A solid sphere of uniform density and radius R
Ans: (d)
applies a gravitational force of attraction equal to F1
on a particle placed at a distance 2R from the centre Solution: Gravitational field inside shells is zero. So
of the sphere. A spherical cavity of radius R/2 is now at point D, gravitational field will be zero, due to both
made in the sphere as shown in the figure. The sphere shells. That’s why the force experienced by any
with the cavity now applies a gravitational force F2 particle at D will be zero.
on the same particle. The ratio F1/F2 is
GRAVITATION 5

16. A solid sphere of uniform density and mass M has

radius 4 m. Its centre is at the origin of the coordinate
system. Two spheres of radii 1 m are taken out so,
that their centres are at P (0, 2, 0) and Q (0, 2, 0),
respectively. This leaves two spherical cavities. What
is the gravitational field at the origin of the coordinate
axes?

m
Mass of element  dm  d

Gravitational field due to element,
Gdm Gmd
dg  
R2 R 2
dg cos  of each element will be cancelled out.

 sin d 
g   dg sin     2 
sin 
0  R 

Gm
R 2 0
31GM GM  sin d
(a) (b)
1024 1024
(c) 31GM (d) zero Gm  l
  as r  l or R  
R 2  
Ans: (d)
2Gm
Solution: Gravitational force, F  mE g  along  y axis
l2
Gravitational field is zero at the origin because it is
symmetrical, so gravitational force is also zero 18. Two identical thin uniform rods of mass m and length
L are placed as shown in figure. The gravitational
Eg  0
interaction force between the two rods is
Therefore, F  m  0   0

So, the gravitational force due to this object at the

origin is zero.
Gm2 Gm2
(a) (b)
17. Gravitational field at the centre of a semicircle 4L2 2L2
formed by a thin wire AB of mass m and length l is: Gm2 2
(c) (d) Gm2 n  4 
9L2 L 3
Ans: (d)
Solution:

Gm Gm
(a) along  x axis (b) along  y axis
2  2
2Gm 2Gm
(c) along  x axis (d) along  y axis GM  1 1 
2 2 g x due to rod 1  
L  x x  L 
Ans: (d)
M
Solution: Mass of element dm  dx
L
Force on element due to rod (1)
dF  g x dm
GRAVITATION 6

GM 2  1 1  GM  1 2 
  dx    
L  x x  L 
2  R  2 5
GM 2   1 1 
 f   df     dx 20. The change in potential energy, when a body of mass
L2   x x  L 
m is raised to a height nR from the earth’s surface is
GM 2
 Ln  Ln  x  1 
2L
 (R = Radios of earth)
2
L
n
GM 2 (a) mgR (b) nmgR
 2  Ln2L  Ln3L    LnL  Ln32L   n 1
L
n2 n
GM 2  4  (c) mgR (d) mgR
 2 ln   n 1
2
n 1
L 3
Ans: (d)
19. Two rings having masses M and 2M, respectively, GMm
having same radius are placed coaxially as shown in Solution: U i    mgR
R
figure. GMm GMm  mgR
Uf    
nR  R R  n  1  n  1
mgR
 U  Uf  Ui    mgR 
 n  1
 1   n 
 mgR 1    mgR  
  n  1   n 1 
Potential due to Discreet Mass
If the mass distribution on both the rings is non-
uniform, the gravitational potential at point P is 21. Two bodies of masses m and M are placed a distance
d apart. The gravitational potential at the position
(a)  G M  1  2 
R  2 5 where the gravitational field due to them is zero is V,
then
GM  2
(b)  1 G Gm
R  2  (a) V   m  M (b) V  
d d
(c) zero
GM G
 
2
(d) cannot be determined from given information (c) V   (d) V   m M
d d
Ans: (a)
Ans: (d)
Solution: Potential at axial points due to ring doesn’t
Solution:
depend on distribution of mass.

Gm GM m M
  
x2 d  x  
2
x d x

GM GM
 d  x  m   
M xx  M m    m d
v P1     m   M 
R2  R2 2R  x    d  d  x    d
 M m  M m
GM 2GM
v P2     GM   GM 
R   2R 
2 2
5R VP    
 x   dx 
 vnet  vP1  v P2
GRAVITATION 7

m
 G 
 M m   M M m 

 24. The figure shows the motion of a planet around the

  m d  M d 


sun in an elliptical orbit with sun at the focus. The
shaded areas A and B are also shown in the figure
G M  m G which can be assumed to be equal. If t1 and t2
   
2
 M m M m  represent the time for the planet to move from a to b
d d
and d to c respectively, then
Potential due to Continuous Mass (Formula only)

22. P is a point at a distance r from the centre of a solid

sphere of radius a. The gravitational potential at P is
V. If V is plotted as a function of r, which is the
correct curves?

(a) t1  t 2 (b) t1  t 2
(c) t1  t 2 (d) t1  t 2
(a) (b) Ans: (c)
Solution:
Kepler’s second law  Line joining the sun and
planet sweeps out equal areas in equal time interval.
Triple Star Motion
(c) (d)
25. Four particles, each of mass M move along a circle of
Ans: (c)
radius R under the action of their mutual gravitational
Solution: Potential due to continuous mass is given attraction. The speed of each particle is
GM
as: V   , ra GM GM
r (a) (b) 2 2
R R
GM
V  
3R 2  r 2 , 0  r  a
GM  2 2  1 
2R 3 (c)
GM
R
2 2 1  (d) 
R  4 

Clearly, graph of V vs. r is quadratic for 0  r  a
1 Assertion and Reason
and V  , r  a
r (A) If both ASSERTION and REASON are true and
23. A satellite is moving around the earth with speed v in reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
a circular orbit of radius r. If the orbit radius is (B) If both ASSERTION and REASON are true but
decreased by 1%, its speed will reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(a) Increase by 1% (b) Increase by 0.5% (C) If ASSERTION is true but REASON is false.
(c) Decrease by 1% (d) Decrease by 0.5% (D) If both ASSERTION and REASON are false.
Ans: (b) (E) If ASSERTION is false but REASON is true.
1
GM V0 1 r Ans: (d)
Solution: V0   V0  r 2  
r V0 2 r Solution:
1 r
 % change in V0  (% change in r)
2 r
 1 
    1 %  0.5% increase
 2

Kepler’s Second Law

GRAVITATION 8

becomes less. g  g  2 R e cos 2   is the angular

speed of the rotation of earth. So, the reason is false
the gravity should be dependent on rotation of earth.
If  = 0 then g’ = g so gravity will be same at the all
places.

27. Assertion: Orbital velocity of a satellite is greater

GM 2 GM 2 than its escape velocity.
F1  
R 2 
2
R2 Reason: Orbit of a satellite is within the gravitational
field of earth whereas escaping is beyond the
GM 2 GM 2 gravitational field of earth.
F2  
 2R 
2
4R 2 (a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) E
Net force on (1) towards centre  2F1 cos 45  F2
Assertion and Reason
 GM 2  1 GM 2
 2 2 
 2 (A) If both ASSERTION and REASON are true and
 2R  2 4R reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
GM 2 GM 2 GM 2  1 1  (B) If both ASSERTION and REASON are true but
 2
 2   
2R 2 4R R  2 4 reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
GM 2  2 2  1  GM 2  2 2  1  Mv 2 (C) If ASSERTION is true but REASON is false.
 2   And, 2  
R  4  R  4  R (D) If both ASSERTION and REASON are false.
GM  2 2  1  (E) If ASSERTION is false but REASON is true.
 v  
R  4  Ans: (d)
Solution: Orbital velocity of a satellite  gR e
26. Assertion: If earth suddenly stops rotating about its
axis, then the value of acceleration due to gravity will Escape velocity of the satellite  2gR e Hence, the
become same at all the places. assertion is false. The reason is true.
Reason: The value of acceleration due to gravity is
28. Assertion: We can not move even a finger without
independent of rotation of earth.
disturbing all the stars.
(a) A (b) B
Reason: Every body in this universe attracts every
(c) C (d) D other body with a force which is inversely
Assertion and Reason proportional to the square of distance between them.
(A) If both ASSERTION and REASON are true and (a) A (b) B
reason is the correct explanation of the assertion. (c) C (d) D
(B) If both ASSERTION and REASON are true but Assertion and Reason
reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True;
(C) If ASSERTION is true but REASON is false. Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(D) If both ASSERTION and REASON are false. (B) Statement-1 True, Statement-2 is True;
(E) If ASSERTION is false but REASON is true. Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for
Ans: (c) Statement-1.
Solution: Due to the rotation of earth one centrifugal (C) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False.
force is present in outwards direction and other (D) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True.
centrifugal force is present at the center of the earth. Ans: (a)
Some centrifugal force approaches the gravitational
Solution: Every body in the universe attracts every
force, therefore net acceleration due to gravity
other body with a force which is inversely
GRAVITATION 9

proportional to the square of distance between them.

Hence a small movement of our fingers will affect
this distance and hence the force of gravitation
between our fingers and all the stars will change.

29. Statement -1: A spherically symmetric shell

produces no gravitational field anywhere.
Statement - 2: The field due to various mass
elements cancels out, everywhere inside the shell.
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
Assertion and Reason
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is True;
Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 True, Statement-2 is True;
Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for
Statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False.
(D) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True.
Ans: (d)
GM
Solution: g m  0, g out  for shell
r2

30. Statement -1: For a satellite revolving very near to

earth’s surface the time period of revolution is given
by 1 h 24 min.
Statement-2: The period of revolution of a satellite
depends only upon its height above the earth's
surface.
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
Ans: (a)
3
2r 2
Solution: T 
GM
For satellite near earth surface h  0, v  R

 2  R 3  2  R
2 2
GM
g  T 2
 
R2 GM g
R 6.4  106 R
 T  2  2
g 10
 2 800 sec  84.6 min  1.4 hr