Gravitation
Gravitation
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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 1011 N m2kg-2
According to the Inverse Square Law, and in CGS
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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 2 101 m
F (2 R) 2
1 4 4 100
Thus, when the distance between the two F 0.1 milligram weight 0.1103 gram
particles is doubled, the gravitational force weight 10 10 kg wt 107 9.8N
4 3
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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 1011 N m2kg 2
motion of the moon around the earth. 11 2
6.67 10 N m kg 1kg 6 10 kg
2 24
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 1011 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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 Rh 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.
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( 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
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varies from one (G 6.67 1011 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.
2ms1 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 =10ms2 )
Equations of Motion for a Body Moving under Sol. Velocity during ascent 2= m s1
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 2ms1
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 s1 )2 2 10ms2 24m
Equations of motion for a freely falling body. 480m2s2
For a freely falling body, acceleration a is equal to 2 480m2s2 4m2s2 484 m2s2
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 22 103 km
1s (1/ 60 60)h
General equations of Equations of motion for 22 103 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.
Common Balance
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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=1.74106 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.
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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 10ms2 (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
(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.
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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
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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.
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CONCEPT MAP
Gravitation
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.
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