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Gravitation

The document discusses the concept of gravitation, highlighting Newton's discovery of gravitational force through the falling apple incident and the formulation of the Universal Law of Gravitation. It explains the relationship between mass, distance, and gravitational force, including the inverse square law and the significance of the gravitational constant. Additionally, it covers the implications of gravitational force in various natural phenomena such as the motion of celestial bodies, tides, and the existence of the solar system.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
17 views12 pages

Gravitation

The document discusses the concept of gravitation, highlighting Newton's discovery of gravitational force through the falling apple incident and the formulation of the Universal Law of Gravitation. It explains the relationship between mass, distance, and gravitational force, including the inverse square law and the significance of the gravitational constant. Additionally, it covers the implications of gravitational force in various natural phenomena such as the motion of celestial bodies, tides, and the existence of the solar system.

Uploaded by

Kamal Preet
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gravitation

There is an interesting story that Newton was sitting


under an apple tree, then an apple fell on him. He Tie a small piece of stone at one end of a thread. Hold
knew from the first law of motion that a net force the other end of the thread in your hand and whirl it
should have acted on the apple to make it fall from round. Observe the motion of the stone. Now release
the tree. This event made Newton to imagine that the thread aft motion of the stone. (Try this activity in
perhaps all bodies in the universe are attracted an open space).
towards each other in the same way the apple was
attracted towards the earth, and this force of
attraction is called gravitational force or force of
gravitation. Now in this chapter we will study
gravitation in more detail.

You can notice that after releasing, the stone will


follow a path whose direction is tangential to the
point from which it is released and finally it falls on
the ground.
 The force that causes acceleration and keeps the
stone moving along the circular path is acting
towards the canter, i.e. towards our hands. This
force is called centripetal force. The force which is
When a body is thrown up, it reaches a certain height needed to make an object travel in a circular path
and then falls down. The downward pull of the earth is called centripetal force.
on the body decreases its velocity in the upward
direction to zero at some height. The body cannot rise Universal Law Of Gravitation
further. This is therefore, the maximum height. The
same downward pull of earth on the body makes it According to this law, the force of attraction between
fall downwards from the maximum height. Based on two particles or bodies is directly proportional to the
these findings, Newton postulated his famous product of their masses and inversely proportional to
Universal Law of Gravitation in 1687. This law is also the square of the distance between these particles or
known as Newton's law of Gravitation. bodies.
Consider two bodies A and B having masses m1 and
m2 respectively. Let the distance between these
bodies be R.

He proposed that it was the gravitational force due to


the earth which was responsible for keeping the According to the law of gravitation, the force of
moon in its orbit around the earth. He argued that at attraction (F) or force of gravitation between these
each point of its orbit, the moon falls towards the bodies is given by
earth, instead of going off in a straight line. So it must f  m1m2 …(i)
be attracted by the earth. But we do not really see the
1
moon falling towards the earth. Why? To understand and F 2 …(ii)
the motion of the moon around the earth, let us R
perform the following activity. Combining equations (i) and (ii), we get

2
m1m2 mm The SI unit of G can be obtained by putting the
F 2
or F  G 1 2 2 …(iii) units of force distance and mass we get,
R R
where G is constant and is known as Universal G  N m2kg 2 If m1  m2  1 kg, R  1m,
Gravitational Constant. F  (1)2
From equation (ii) G  F
Equation (iii) is the mathematical form of Newton's 1 1
law of gravitation. Here the magnitude of the force Hence, we can say that Universal Gravitational
varies inversely with the square of the distance Constant G is numerically equal to the
between the two particles. So the force law is also gravitational force of attraction between two
called Inverse Square Law. bodies. The value of G in SI is 6.67 1011 N m2kg-2
 According to the Inverse Square Law, and in CGS
1
Force of gravitation  2
R
If the distance between the two particles is
doubled, then the gravitational force becomes
one-fourth.
1 1. A sphere of mass 40 kg is attracted by a
When the distance is R, then Force, F  2
R second sphere of mass 15 kg when their
When the distance is 2R (doubled), then centers are 20 cm apart, with a force of 0.1
1 milligram weight. Calculate the value of
F ' gravitational constant.
(2 R ) 2
Sol. Here, m1  40kg , m2  15kg
From these two relationships, one can write
20
F'

1

R2 1
 or F ' 
F R  20cm  m  2 101 m
F (2 R) 2
1 4 4 100
Thus, when the distance between the two F  0.1 milligram weight  0.1103 gram
particles is doubled, the gravitational force weight  10 10 kg wt  107  9.8N
4 3

becomes one-fourth. Gm1m2


(1kg wt  9.8N ) From F 
If the distance between the two particles is R2
halved, then the gravitational force becomes four F  R 2 107  9.8  (2 101 ) 2
times. G 
m1m2 40 15
1
When the distance is R, then F  F  6.53 1011 N m2kg 2
R2
When the distance is R/2 (halved), then
1
F' From these relationships,
( R / 2) 2
1
F ' (R/ 2) 2 R 2  4
   4 F '  4F
F 1/ R 2 R2 If the value of G becomes 10 times its present value,
Thus, when the distance between the two then we would be crushed to the floor by the earth’s
particles is halved, the gravitational force attraction. If the value of G becomes 1/10th of its
becomes four times. present value, then the earth’s attract would become
 Unit and Value of Gravitational Constant very weak and in that case we can jump over a
According to Newton’s law of gravitation, force building with ease.
between two bodies of masses m1 and m2
separated by a distance R is given by Importance of the Universal Law of Gravitation
Gm1m2
F …(i) The gravitational force is one of the fundamental
R2 forces in nature. The gravitational force is responsible,
Rearranging, we get Gm1m2  F  R2 for the following:
F  R2  the existence of the solar system (motion of
or G  …(ii) planets around the sun).
m1m2

3
 holding the atmosphere near the surface of the where, m1  1kg
earth. m2  6 1024 kg (mass of the earth)
 the flow of water in rivers. R  6.4 106 m
 for rainfall and snowfall. G  6.67 1011 N m2kg 2
 motion of the moon around the earth. 11 2
6.67  10 N m kg  1kg  6  10 kg
2 24

 occurrence of tides. F   9.8 N


(6.4  10 m)
6 2

 prediction about solar and lunar eclipses made on


the basis of this law always come out to be true. Thus, a body of mass 1 kg is attracted by the earth
with a force of 9.8 N.
Characteristics of Gravitational Force  Gravitational force between the sun and the
earth
(i) Gravitational force between two bodies or objects Mass of the earth, m1  6 1024 kg
does not need any contact between them. Mass of the sun, m2  2 1030 kg
It means, gravitational force is action at a distance.
Distance between the sun and the earth,
(ii) Gravitational force between two bodies varies
inversely proportional to the square of the distance R  1.5 1011 m
between them. Hence, gravitational force is an Gravitational force between the sun and the
inverse square force. earth,
11 2
6.67  10 Nm kg  6  10 kg  2  10 kg
2 24 30

(iii) The gravitational forces between two bodies or Gm1 m2


F 
(1.5  10 m)
2 11 2
objects form an action-reaction pair. If object A R
attracts object B with a force F1 and the object B  3.6 10 N 22

attracts object A with a force F2 , then F1   F2 The gravitational force between the sun and the
earth is very large (i.e., 3.6 1022 N ). This force
keeps the earth bond to the sun.
 Gravitational force between the moon and the
earth.
Mass of the earth, m1  6 1024 kg
Estimation of Gravitational Force between Different Mass of the moon, m2  7.4 1022 kg
Objects  Gravitational force between the earth and the
moon.
The formula applied for calculating gravitational force Gm1m2
between light objects and heavy objects is the same, F 
R2
Gm1m2
i.e., F  Let us take three different cases : 6.67  1011 Nm2 kg 2  6  1024 kg  7.4  1022 kg
R2
(3.8  108 m)2
 The gravitational force between a body of 1 kg
and the earth [mass of earth  6 1024 kg , , radius  2.05 1020 N
This large gravitational force keeps the moon to
of earth is 6.4 106 m. ] move around the earth.
Let a body of mass 1 kg be placed on the surface We find that,
of the earth as shown in figure. The distance (i) the gravitational force between two small
between the centre of the earth and body is equal bodies is very small.
to the radius of the earth i.e., R  6.4 106 m. (ii) the gravitational force between a small body
and a larger body (e.g. the earth) is large.
(iii) the gravitational force between two large
bodies (e.g., the sun and the earth) is very large.

The magnitude of gravitational force between the


Gm1m2
earth and the body is F  Newton was the first to realize that the moon is a
R2 satellite of the earth. It has just the right speed to
4
keep moving round the earth in a nearly circular orbit. Sol. The gravitational force between the two
It completes one full circle in 27 days and 8 hours. It is Gm1m2
constantly falling towards the earth but cannot hit the protons is F 
r2
earth because the earth’s surface curves down under
it by the same amount. 
 6.67 1011 N m 2 kg -2   (1.67 1027 kg) 2
(1015 m)2
Gravitational and Newton's Third Law of Motion  1.86 1034 N
According to Newton's third law, to every action, Centre of Mass and Centre of Gravity
there is always an equal and opposite reaction. It
means if an object A exerts some force on another The point in a body where its whole mass is assumed
object B, then the object B exerts an equal and to be concentrated is called its centre of mass. The
opposite force on the object A at the same instant. centre of mass of a homogeneous sphere or cube
This law applies to the force of gravitation also. must lie at its geometric centre. A rigid extended body
is a continuous distribution of mass. Each particle or
portion of the body experiences the force of gravity.
The net effect of all these forces of to the effect of a
single force, mg acting through a point called centre
of gravity of the body, or we can say that a point in
any body at which the force of gravity on the whole of
the body can be assumed to act is called its centre of
gravity.

On the surface of the earth, or near it, where the


force of gravity is constant, the centre of mass also
According to Newton's second law of motion, force = becomes the centre of gravity.
mass x acceleration If we assume the earth to be a sphere of uniform
i.e., for a given force, acceleration produced, varies density, then its centre of mass lies at its centre.
inversely as the mass. The force of attraction of the earth on anybody is,
We know that acceleration produced in a body due to therefore, towards its centre.
gravitational pull of earth on it is 9.8 ms-2. As this Application Of Newton's Law Of Gravitation
acceleration is very large, we can see the body falling
towards earth. We shall show that when gravitational  Determination of the masses of planets and stars
pull of same magnitude acts on earth (where mass is 6 Knowing precise values of g, R and G, it is possible
x 1024 kg), the acceleration produced in earth is to determine accurately the mass of any planet or
1.63 10-24 s2 . As this value of acceleration is too gR 2
star by using the relationship, M 
small, we cannot see the earth moving towards the G
falling body.

2. Find the gravitationla force between two


protons kept at a separation of 1 femtometre
(1 femtometre  1015 m ). The mass of a
proton is 1.67 1027 kg .

5
 Estimating the masses of double stars - A m M M
double star is a system consisting of two stars
mg  G or g  G 2e …(ii)
R2 Re
orbiting round their common centre of mass. From equations (iii), we see that acceleration
From the extent of irregularity in the motion of a produced in the body due to the earth does not
star due to the gravitational pull by some other depend upon its mass.
star bound to it, can be used for estimating their
masses. Such a small irregularity in motion is Gravity and Gravitation
called wobble.
Many planets outside our solar system have According to Newton, the gravitational force of
been detected in recent years by measuring the attraction between the moon and earth is responsible
irregularity (called wobble) in the motion of for providing the necessary centripetal force for moon
stars. to revolve around earth.
The terms gravity and gravitation are not the same.
The force of attraction between any two objects by
virtue of their masses is called gravitation (or
gravitational force).
For example, force of attraction between any two
Free Fall objects such as books, tables, chairs, and between any
two heavenly bodies are the examples of gravitation.
The motion of a body towards the earth when no The force of gravitation exerted by a huge heavenly
other force except the force of gravity acts on it is body such as, the earth, the moon, or the sun etc., on
called a free fall. Thus all the freely falling bodies, a smaller object near its surface is called its gravity (or
lighter or heavier, fall towards the earth with the force of gravity).
same acceleration. For example, earth pulls an object of mass 1 kg
According to Galileo Galilee, if there were no air, all towards it with a force of 9.8 N. So, force of 9.8 N is
the bodies having different masses when dropped the gravity (or, force of gravity) of the earth. Similarly,
simultaneously from the same height would hit the on the surface of moon, we can talk of the gravity of
ground at the same time. the moon. Thus, we see that the gravity is a particular
Later Robert Boyle proved this experimentally. He case of gravitation.
placed a coin and a feather in a long glass tube and
removed its air with the help of vacuum pump. When Variation in the value of g
the tube was inverted both the coin and the feather
fell to the bottom of the tube at the same time. Thus The value of g vary with the shape of the earth. The
the acceleration produced in all the freely falling acceleration due to gravity g on the surface of the
bodies is the same, and does not depend upon the earth is given by
mass of the falling body.

Acceleration due to Gravity of the Earth


The acceleration produced in a body due to the
gravitational pull of the earth near its surface is called
acceleration due to gravity of the earth. The GM
g ….(i)
gravitational force acting on a body of mass m near R2
the surface of the earth is given by, The expression for g is calculated by considering the
m M earth as a spherical body, but earth is not spherical in
F G …(i)
R2 shape. It is elliptical in shape as shown in the figure.
where, m is the mass of the body, M is the mass of Therefore, the radius of the earth (R) is not constant
earth, and R is the radius of the earth. throughout. Hence, the value of g is different at
If g is the acceleration produced in a body of mass m, different points on the earth. The equatorial radius
then (RE) of the earth is .about 21 km longer than its polar-
F  m g …(ii) radius (Rp).
From equation (i) and (ii),

6
Now from equation (i) value of g at equator is given by 4
GM
  ( R  h) 3 d
gE  2 ...(ii) 3
RE
GM
Value of g at pole is given by g P  2 ...(iii)
RP
2
gp R 
Dividing (iii) by (ii)  E 
g E  RP 
Since RE  R p  g p  g E
According to the law of gravitational,
Thus, value of g is more at equator than at poles. 4
 Variation in the value of g with the altitude (or G   ( R  h )3 d  m
mg d  3
height) above the surface, of the earth. ( R  h) 2
We know, acceleration due to gravity on the
4
GM This gives, gd  G   ( R  h)d …(i)
surface of the earth is given by g  2 ...(i) 3
R On the surface of the earth,
Let a body be at a height h above the surface of
4
the earth as shown in figure. The distance of the G   R 3d
GM 4
body from the centre of the earth = (R + h). g 2  3  G   Rd …(ii)
Therefore, acceleration due to gravity at height h R R2 3
From equation (i) and (ii), one gets
GM
is given by g h  …(ii) 4
( R  h) 2 G   ( R  h) d
gd 3 ( R  h)
Dividing (ii) by (i), we get  
g 4 R
gh GM R2 R2 G   Rd
   3
g ( R  h)2 GM ( R  h) 2
 h  ( R  h)
2 g d  g 1   1
gh  R   R R
or   …(iii)
g  Rh So, g d  g
Thus the value of g at a depth inside the earth is
less than that on the surface of the earth. The
( R  h)
value of decreases with the value of h,
R
i.e., depth below the surface of the earth.
Therefore, the value of g decreases as we go
down below the surface of the earth.
 The difference between acceleration due to
g gravity (g) and gravitational constant (G) as shown
Since ( R  h)  R  h  1 or g h  g
g in table below.
Thus, value of g decreases with the height from
Acceleration due to Universal Gravitational
the surface of the earth.
Gravity (g) Constant (G)
 Variation in the value of g with depth below the
1. It is the 1. It is equal to the
surface of the earth.
acceleration force of attraction
Let us consider a body of mass m at a depth h
acquired by a body between two
below the surface of the earth. Then,
due to the earth’s masses of 1 kg
Radius of the inner solid sphere of the earth =R - h
gravitational pull each separated by
So, Volume of the inner solid sphere of the earth
on it. a distance of 1 m.
4
  ( R  h) 3 2. The value of g is 2. G is a universal
3 different at constant, i.e., its
If d is the average density of the earth, then different places on value is the same
Mass of the inner solid sphere of the earth the surface of the everywhere in the
earth. Its value universe

7
varies from one (G  6.67 1011 N m2 kg 2 )
celestial (heavenly)
body to another.
3. It is a vector 3. It is a scalar 3. A helicopter is ascending with a velocity of
quantity. quantity.
2ms1 at height of 24 m when it drops a mail
4. The value of g at 4. The value of G is
packet. The packet contains material, which
the centre of the not zero at the
can be damaged if it hits ground with velocity
earth is zero. centre of the earth
greater than 72km h-1. Was the packet
or any where else.
damaged? (g =10ms2 )
Equations of Motion for a Body Moving under Sol. Velocity during ascent 2= m s1
Gravity Height of the helicopter = 24 m
So, height from where the packet is dropped =
The value of g changes with height above the earth's 24 m
surface. For smaller heights, the change in the Initial velocity of the packet, u  2ms1
acceleration due to gravity (g) is very small. So, the
Final velocity of the packet,   ?
value of g can be taken as almost constant. The
Using the equation,
motion of a body under gravity near the earth's
surface is a uniformly accelerated motion.
 2u 2  2as
 2  (2m s1 )2  2 10ms2  24m
 Equations of motion for a freely falling body.  480m2s2
For a freely falling body, acceleration a is equal to  2  480m2s2  4m2s2  484 m2s2
the acceleration due to gravity g and distance
travelled s is equal to the height above the surface This gives,   480 m 2s 2  22 m s 1
of the earth h. From the general equations of Converting the units of velocity,
motion by replacing a by g and s by h as follows: 22 1m 22 103 km
 
1s (1/ 60  60)h
General equations of Equations of motion for  22 103  60  60kmh -1  79.2kmh 1
motion freely falling bodies
Thus, the packet hits the ground with a
1. v  u  at v  u  gt
velocity of 79.2km h 1 .
1 1
2. s  ut  at 2 h  ut  gt 2 Because the packet hits the ground with a
2 2 velocity greater than the limit for safety
3. v  u  2as
2 2
v 2  u 2  2 gh (72km h 1 ), if will get damaged.

 Equations of motion for a body thrown vertically Mass and Weight


upwards.
For a body thrown vertically upwards the Mass: The quantity of matter in a body is called its
acceleration a is equal to minus of acceleration mass. Mass is a measure of the number of atoms
due to gravity – g. Distance travelled s is equal to contained in anybody? Since the number of atoms in
height above the earth's surface h. The general any object remains constant, hence its mass remains
equations of motion as shown below. constant. Mass is expressed in the mass units. The SI
unit of mass is kilogram (kg). Mass
General equations of Equations of motion for The characteristics of mass of a body are as follows:
motion bodies thrown vertically
upwards
1. v  u  at v  u  gt
1 1
2. s  ut  at 2 h  ut  gt 2
2 2
3. v 2  u 2  2as v 2  u 2  2 gh

Common Balance
8
 Mass is a scalar quantity.  The value of g decreases, with depth from the
 Mass of a body does not depend on the shape, surface of the earth.
size and the state of the body.  Therefore, the weight of a body decreases with
 Mass of a body is proportional to the quantity of depth from the surface of the earth.
matter contained in it.  The value of g at the centre of the earth is zero,
 Mass of a body can be measured with the help of hence weight of the body is zero at the centre of
a common balance. the earth.
Weight: The force with which a body is attracted Weight of an object on the surface of moon.
by the earth is known as the weight of the body It Consider an object of mass m on the surface of
varies from place to place. The weight of a body the earth. Let M be the mass of the earth and R
on earth is equal to the force of gravity exerted by be its radius.
the earth on that body. According to universal law of gravitation, the
We have, F = ma (From Newton's second law) force with which the earth attracts the object is
W = mg …(i) given by
where g is the acceleration due to gravity. GMm
F 2 …(i)
R
Since, force with which the earth attracts the
object = weight of the object (W) i.e. F = W
GMm
 equation (i) becomes W  2 …(ii)
R
Now let this object of mass m lies on the surface
of the moon. Let M m be the mass of the moon
and Rm , be the radius of the moon. Therefore,
Spring Balance according to universal law of gravitation, the force
The S.I. unit of weight is same as that of the force, with which the moon attracts the object is given
i.e., new ton (N). GM m m
From equation (i) it is clear that weight of a body by F '  (ii)
Rm2
depends upon the mass of the body and value of
But F' = weight of the object on the moon (Wm )
acceleration due to gravity g at a place.
The characteristics of weight of the body are as  Wm  GM m m …(iii)
follows: Rm2
 Weight is a vector quantity. Dividing equation (iii) by equation (ii), we get
 Weight is measured with a spring balance, or on a Wm GM m m R2 M m R2
   …(iv)
weighing machine. W Rm2 GMm MRm2
 The weight of a body is directly proportional to its Now, M(mass of earth)  5.98 1024 kg
mass.
M m (mass of moon)  7.36 1022 kg
 The weight of a body changes with the value of g.
So when g decreases, the weight of the body also Rm (radius of earth)  6400km=6.4 106m
decreases. Rm (radius of moon)  1740km=1.74106 m
 The value of g at the poles is higher than that at Put these values in equation (iv), we get
the equator. Wm 7.36 1022  (6.4 106 )2
  0.166
 The value of g on the surfaces of different planets W 5.98 1024  (1.74 106 ) 2
of the solar system is different, therefore the 1 1
weight of a body is different on the different  or Wm  W
6 6
planets. Thus, weight of an object on the surface of moon
 The value of g decreases with height from the
1
surface of the earth. Therefore/ the weight of the   Weight of the object on the surface of the
body also decreases with height from the surface 6
earth.
of the earth. That is why, the weight of a man is
less on the peak of Mount Everest than the  For this reason, moon exerts less force of
weight of the man at Delhi. attraction on objects.

9
the time of travel of the planet from P1 to P2 is the
same as that from P3 , to P4 , then according to this
law,
4. The mass of an object is 60 kg on the surface
Area of OP1P2  area of OP3 P4
of the earth. What would be its weight when
measured on the surface of the moon? What
would be its mass on the moon?
(take g  10m/s2 )
Sol. Mass of an object on the earth me  60 kg
Acceleration due to gravity on the earth
ge  10m/s2 Therefore, arc P1 ,P2 is smaller than the arc P3 ,P4 . It
Weight of the object on the earth We  ? means that the speed of the planet is greater when it
is closer to the sun, than its speed when its is farther
(to be calculated)
away from the sun. Thus, according to Kepler's second
We know, we  me  g e
law, a planet does not move around the sun with a
By putting the values we get constant speed.
We  60kg 10ms2 (iii) Law of periods: the Square of the time taken by a
We  600N planet to complete a revolution around the sun is
Thus, the weight of the object on the earth is directly proportional to the cube of semi-major axis of
600 N. the elliptical orbit. This law is also called Kepler's third
We know the weight of an object on the law of planetary motion.
moon     its weight on the earth
1
6
1
Wm   600N
6
Wm  100N

Kepler's Law of Planetary Motion


Newton's law of gravitation which states that the
gravitational force between two masses varies T2
i.e., T 2  r 3 or T 2  constant x r 3 i.e.,  constant
inversely proportional to the square of the distance r3
between them. This was proved by him on the basis of
Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Johannes Kepler gave the following three laws to
explain the motion of the planets. These laws are 5. If earth comes closer to sum by 3/4th of the
called Kepler's laws. They are as follows: present distance then the year of earth
(i) Law of orbits: Each planet moves around the sun in consists of how many days?
an elliptical orbit with the sun at one of the foci of the
orbit as shown in figure. This law is also called Kepler's
first law of planetary motion.

(ii) Law of areas: The line joining the sun and planet Sol. Case-I R1  R T1  365 days
sweep out equal areas in equal intervals of time. The 3 1
Cade II R  R  R  R T2  ?
law is also called Kepler's second law. It means areal 4 4
velocity (= area traced/time) of the planet around the We know that T  R3  T 2  KR3 …(i)
2

sun is constant. In the figure shown below, the sun is Substituting the above values (i), we have,
at O, which is one of the foci of the elliptical orbit. If
10
2
T12 KR12 R 
2
 2
 T22   2   T12
T2 KR2  R1 
3
1
 T22     (365)2
4 • Gravitation: It is the phenomenon of attraction
1 between any two objects in the universe. It is
 T2   365  45.625 days always attractive in nature.
8
 If the earth comes closer to the sun by • Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation:
3/4th of the present distance, one year of Everybody in the universe attracts every other
earth consists of 45.625 days. body with a force which is directly proportional to
the product of their masses and inversely
 Derivation of Newton's Inverse Square Rule from proportional to the square of the distance
Kepler's Third Law. between them.
Newton derive mathematically his universal law • Universal Gravitational Constant: Gravitational
of gravitation from Kepler's law of planetary constant is same throughout the universe.
motion. It is denoted by G.
Consider a planet of mass m revolving around the The value of G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2.
sun of mass M in a circular path of radius r. Let us • Gravity: It is the phenomenon of attraction
take v as the orbital velocity of the planet and T is between earth and any other body.
its time period to complete one revolution around • Centripetal force: The force which is needed to
the sun. make an object travel in a circular path is called
The distance travelled by the planet in one centripetal force.
complete rotation is = 2nr. • Equations of motion in case of free fall:
i
We have/ velocity, υ=
Distance travelled (i)   u  gt (ii) h  ut  gt 2
Time taken 2
2 r (iii)   u  2 gh
2 2

i.e.,  …(i) • Free fall: Whenever objects fall towards the earth
T
only under gravitational force of earth, we say the
r
or   ( 2 constant) …(ii) objects are in the state of free fall.
T • Acceleration due to gravity: The acceleration
Squaring both sides of equation (ii), we get
produced in a freely falling body due to the
r2 r2 r
 2  2 or  2  2  …(iii) gravitational pull of a heavenly body is called
T T r acceleration due to gravity of that heavenly body.
According to Kepler's third law of planetary It is denoted by g. It is a vector quantity and is
r3 directed towards the centre of the heavenly body.
motion, 2 is constant.
T Its value is 9.8 ms-2. It is a vector quantity.
1 • The value of g on earth is maximum at the poles
From equation (iii)  2  …(iv) and minimum at the equator.
r
Now, we know that the centripetal force, F • The acceleration due to gravity decreases with
required to keep the planet in a circular orbit is increasing altitude above the surface of the earth,
s.
m 2
F …(v) • Acceleration due to gravity decreases as we go
r
down below the surface of the earth.
2
or F  ( m is constant) …(vi) • At the centre of the earth, the value of g becomes
r zero.
1 • If the force of gravity acting on the two bodies is
From equation (iv) and (vi), we get F  2
r equal, then their masses are also equal.
This is Newton's Inverse Square Rule • Weight of an object on moon is 176th of that on
the earth because the gravitational force of
attraction of moon is 1/6 of that of the earth.
• Mass: It is the quantity of matter in the body. Its
value is constant for a body and can never be
11
zero. It is a measure of inertia of the body S.I. unit • Kepler's second law states that in a elliptical orbit
of mass is kg. It is measured using common of the planet, the line joining the centre of the
balance. planet to the centre of the sun sweep equal areas
• Weight: It is the force with which the body is in equal intervals of time.
attracted towards the centre of the earth. It is • Kepler’s third law state that the square of time
measured using spring balance. period of revolution of a planet around the sun is
• Keplers law of planetary motion: Kepler's first directly proportional to the cube of the semi
law states that every planet revolves around the major axis of the elliptical orbit.
sun in an elliptical orbit, with the sun situated at
any one of the foci of the ellipse.

12
CONCEPT MAP

Gravitation

It is the phenomenon by which all objects


with mass attract each other

Newton’s Universal Law Acceleration due to gravity (g)


Of Gravitation
The uniform acceleration
Every particle of matter produced by a freely falling
in the universe exerts an body under the gravitational
attractive force on every pull of the earth.
other particle, the force
being directly
proportional to the
product of their
respective masses and Mass is the Weight of a Factors affecting
inversely proportional quantity of body is the
to the square of their matter force with
separation. The force of contained in which it is
Altitude :
attraction always acts it. S.I. unit of attracted
along the line joining mass is towards the
the two particles. kilogram centre of
the earth
Formula:
S.I. unit is Depth :
newton

g is maximum at poles
G is equal to the force of at and minimum at
traction between equator.
unit masses placed at unit distance apart. SI
unit is All planets move around the sun, in all elliptical orbit
with the sun located at one of its foci.

Kepler’s law of motion The line joining the sun to any planet, known as
radius vector sweeps out equal areas in equal time
intervals.

The square of the period of revolution of a planet


around the sun varies directly as the cube of the
semi-major axis of its elliptical path.

13

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