CHP # 5 GRAVITATION

Q.1 What is meant by gravitational force?

A. The force with which earth attract every other object towards itself is called
gravitational force. It is denoted by Fg .

Q.2 State and explain Newtons law of universal gravitation?

A. Statement
This law states that Every object in the universe attracts every other object
with a force. This force of attraction is directly proportional to the product of
their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between
their centers.
Explaination
Consider two spherical objects of masses m1 and m2 are placed at a
distance of r from each other.

m1 m2

Mathematical expression
Fg m1 m2 (1)
1
Fg (2)
r2
Combining equation (1) and (2) we get
 m1m2
Fg
r2
m1m2
Fg (Constt)
r2
m1m2
Fg G
r2
Where G is constant of proportionality and it is called universal gravitation
constant, its value is 6.67 10 11 Nm2/Kg2.

Q.3 Using the law of universal gravitation determined mass of the earth.
A. Consider a body of mass m is placed at the surface of the earth. The mass of
the earth and radius of the earth are Me and Re respectively.
m

Re

Me
By law of universal gravitation, we can write that;
M em
Fg G 2
Re
We know that
Fg = W = mg
So
 mM e
mg G 2
Re
Me
g G 2
Re
2
R g
Me e
G
(6 4 106 ) 2 9 8
Me
6 67 1011
40 96 1012 9 8
Me 1011
6 67
401 408 101211
Me
6 67
Me 60 18 1023
M e 6 0 10231
M e 6 1024 Kg

Q.4 How is the value of g changing by going to higher altitude? Write the
relevant formula.
A. The value of g is decreasing by going to higher altitude. Suppose an object of
mass m is placed at a height h from the surface of the earth. If mass of the
earth is Me and radius of the earth is Re. So the distance between mass m
and center of the earth is (Re +h).
Then by law of universal gravitation;
M em
Fg G
( Re h) 2
We know that
Fg = W = mg
M em
mg G
( Re h ) 2
Me
g (h) G
( Re h) 2
 At the surface of the earth the value of g is:
Me
g G
( Re ) 2
It is clear from the above equation that the value of g decreasing by going to
higher altitude. The value of g at the equator is greater than the poles. The
value of g at sea level is greater than that of the hilly areas.

Q.5 What is satellite? How they are moving around the planets.
A. Satellites
These are the objects revolving around the planets in stable orbits. Moon is a
natural satellite of the earth. Scientists send artificial satellites which carries
instruments or passengers in space revolving around the earth.
During the circular motion satellite get the required centripetal force from the
earth gravitation force.
Consider a satellite of mass m is revolving around the earth in an orbit of
radius r with uniform speed v. Then the required centripetal force can be
determined as;
mv 2
Fc --------- (A)
r

As the gravitation force provide the necessary centripetal force, then

M em
Fg G -------- (B)
r2
Comparing equation (A) and (B)
mV 2 M em
G
r r2
Me
V2 G
r
Me
V G
r
If satellite is at a distance r = (Re + h), Where h = 22 106 m

11 6 1024
V 6.67 10
6.4 106 22 106

V 3753m / s
 CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS

1. What will be the weight of a body if it is raised above the earth equal to
its radius?
A. We know that w = mg, as the value of g decreases by going to higher altitude.
At a distance equal to the radius of the earth the value of g decrease by one
fourth so the weight of the body also decrease by one fourth.

2. Moon is attracted by the earth, why it does not fall on earth?

A. There exist a gravitational force between the earth and the moon. This
gravitational force provides the necessary centripetal force to the moon due to
which it revolves around the earth and does not fall on earth.

3. Why is water does not fall out of a bucket when it is whirled in a vertical
circle?
A. When the bucket of water is whirled in vertical circle, a centripetal force is
providing to water. Due to which the velocity of water is along the tangent to
circular path and does not fall.

4. Why it is not easy to whirl a hammer by a longer chain?

A. To whirl the hammer with longer chain greater torque is required. The athlete
could not provide the required torque. Therefore it is not easy to whirl a
hammer by a longer chain.

5. Explain why, if a stone held in our hand is released, it falls towards the
earth?
A. A gravitational force exists between the earth and the stone. The mass of the
earth is greater than the mass of the stone. Therefore the stone is attracted by
the earth and falls to the earth.

6. What is the value of gravitation constant G on the moon?

A. The value of gravitational constant G is same everywhere, therefore the
value of G on the moon will be 6.67 1011 Nm / Kg 2 .

7. If the distance between two objects is tripled, what is the decrease in the
gravitational force?
A. The gravitational force between the two objects is given as;
m1 m2
F G
r2
Let for the distance r / = 3r the gravitation force be F /
m1 m 2
F/ G
(r / ) 2
 m1 m 2
F/ G
(3r ) 2
m1 m2
F/ G
9r 2
1 mm
F / (G 1 2 2 )
9 r
1
F/ F
9
It shows that the gravitational force will decrease by one nine.

8. What is the difference between force of gravity and force of gravitation?

A. Force of gravity
The force with which earth attract a body towards its centre is called the force
of gravity.

Force of gravitation
The force of attraction which exists between any two objects is called the force
of gravitation.

9. If a mass in earth gravitational field is doubled what will happen to the

force exerted by the field upon mass.
A. The gravitational force between the earth and mass m is
M em
F G
R 2e
M e ( 2m)
F/ G 2
Re
M em
F / 2G 2
Re
F / 2F
If mass of the body is double the gravitational force will be doubled.

10. What provide the force that produce centripetal acceleration in orbit?
A. The gravitational force between the earth and satellite provide the necessary
centripetal force which produce the centripetal acceleration in orbit.
11. A satellite is moving around the earth. On which of the following does
the speed depends.
a) Mass of satellite b) distance of satellite c) mass of earth
A. The speed of satellite in the orbit is given by

GM e
V
Re h

The speed of satellite depends on the

a) Mass of satellite b) distance of satellite
 NUMERICAL QUESTIONS
1. Calculate the force of gravitation due to the earth on a child weighing
10Kg standing on the ground.

Given data

m 10Kg

g 10m / s 2
We know that

Fg W mg

Fg 1010

Fg 100N

2. Calculate the gravitation force of attraction between a stone weighing

1Kg and earth. What will be the acceleration produce in the stone?

Given data

m 1Kg

g 9.8m / s 2
We know that

Fg W mg

F 1 9.8
F 9.8N

a g 9.8m / s 2
3. Find the gravitational force of attraction between lead spheres each of
mass 1000Kg place with their centers 1m apart?

Given data

m1 1000Kg

m2 1000Kg

r 1m

G 6.67 1011 Nm / Kg 2

Fg ?

m1 m2
Fg G
r2

1000 1000
Fg 6.67 1011
(1) 2

Fg 6.67 1011 106

Fg 6.67 105 N

4. A body of mass 25Kg is placed on the surface of the earth calculate the
gravitational force. If the body is raised to a distance equal to the radius
of the earth how will the weight of the body change?

Given data

m1 25Kg

M e 61024 Kg

Re 6.4 106 m

G 6.67 1011 Nm / Kg 2

Fg ?

m1 M e
Fg G
( Re ) 2
 25 6 1024
Fg 6.67 1011
(6.4 106 ) 2

1000.5 10 11 10 24
Fg
40.96 1012

Fg 24.43 10241112

Fg 24.43 10

Fg 244.3N

We know that

W Fg 244.3N

At a distance equal to the radius of earth the weight become one fourth so;

1
W (244.3)
4

W 61.75N

5. Two spherical objects of masses 10Kg and 100Kg are 90cm apart. Find
the gravitational force between them?

Given data

m1 10Kg

m2 100Kg

r 90cm 0.9m

G 6.67 1011 Nm / Kg 2

Fg ?

m1 m2
Fg G
r2

10 100
Fg 6.67 1011
(0.9) 2
 6670
Fg 10 11
0.81

Fg 8234.57 1011

Fg 8.23 108 N

6. The mass of earth is 6 1024 Kg . Using the law of universal gravitational,

find the radius of earth?

Given data

M e 61024 Kg

We know that

W Fg

mM e
mg G
( Re ) 2

Me
( Re ) 2 G
g

Me
Re G
g

6 1024
Re 6.67 1011
9.8

Re 4.08 1013

Re 40.8 1012

Re 6.39 106 m