SCIENCE VISION SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

bhalukdubi, Goalpara

Chapter Name: Gravitation

1. Who first recognized that all bodies,

irrespective of their masses, are accelerated 4. Which Indian astronomer mentioned the
towards the Earth with constant acceleration? heliocentric model in the 5th century?

• A) Newton
• B) Galileo
• C) Copernicus
• D) Aryabhatta
Correct Answer: B) Galileo

2. Which model of planetary motion was • A) Brahmagupta

proposed by Ptolemy? • B) Aryabhatta
•
• A) Geocentric • C) Varahamihira
• B) Heliocentric • D) Bhaskara
• C) Elliptical Correct Answer: B) Aryabhatta
• D) Parabolic
Correct Answer: A) Geocentric

3. Who introduced the heliocentric model of 5. What is the shape of planetary orbits
planetary motion? according to Kepler’s first law?

• A) Tycho Brahe • A) Circular

• B) Galileo • B) Elliptical
• C) Nicolas Copernicus • C) Parabolic
• D) Johannes Kepler • D) Hyperbolic
Correct Answer: C) Nicolas Correct Answer: B) Elliptical
Copernicus

6. What is the closest point of a planet to the

Sun in its orbit called?

• A) Aphelion
 • B) Perihelion • B) 9.8 m/s2
• C) Orbit center • C) 3.84×108 m
• D) Elliptical center • D) 4π2 N m2/kg2
Correct Answer: B) Perihelion Correct Answer: A) 6.67×10--11
N m2/kg2

7. Kepler’s second law is also known as the

law of: 11. Who measured the gravitational constant G
for the first time?
• A) Orbits
• B) Areas • A) Tycho Brahe
• C) Periods • B) Henry Cavendish
• D) Gravity • C) Johannes Kepler
Correct Answer: B) Areas • D) Isaac Newton
Correct Answer: B) Henry Cavendish

8. What is the significance of Kepler’s third

law? 12. What is the acceleration due to gravity on
Earth’s surface?
• A) Planets sweep equal areas in equal
times • A) 6.67×10−11 m/s2
• B) Planetary orbits are circular • B) 9.8 m/s2
• C) Square of orbital period is • C) 11.2 m/s2
proportional to the cube of semi-major • D) 3.84×108 m
axis Correct Answer: B) 9.8 m/s2
• D) Planets move faster when farther
from the Sun
Correct Answer: C) Square of orbital
period is proportional to the cube of 13. How does acceleration due to gravity vary
semi-major axis with altitude?

• A) Increases with height

• B) Decreases with height
9. What does the Universal Law of Gravitation • C) Remains constant
state about the force between two masses? • D) Becomes zero at high altitude
Correct Answer: B) Decreases with
• A) It is directly proportional to their height
distance
• B) It is inversely proportional to their
distance squared
• C) It is directly proportional to the 14. At the center of a spherical shell, the
product of their masses gravitational force is:
• D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D) Both B and C • A) Maximum
• B) Zero
• C) Equal to g
• D) Infinite
10. What is the value of the Universal Correct Answer: B) Zero
Gravitational Constant (G)

• A) 6.67×10--11 N m2/kg2
15. Escape velocity on Earth is approximately: • D) Infinite
Correct Answer: C) Negative
• A) 7.9 km/s
• B) 9.8 km/s
• C) 11.2 km/s
• D) 15.0 km/s 20. What is the potential energy of a satellite at
Correct Answer: C) 11.2 km/s a height hhh above Earth’s surface?

• A) mgh
• B) −GMm/(R+h)
16. What is the shape of satellite orbits under • C) −GMm/R
ideal conditions? • D) GMm/(R+h)
Correct Answer: B) −GMm/(R+h)
• A) Circular
• B) Elliptical
• C) Parabolic
• D) Rectangular 21. The law of areas is derived from:
Correct Answer: B) Elliptical
• A) Conservation of linear momentum
• B) Conservation of angular
momentum
17. The period of a satellite in a circular orbit • C) Newton’s third law
is proportional to: • D) Universal law of gravitation
Correct Answer: B) Conservation of
• A) Radius angular momentum
• B) Square of the radius
• C) Cube of the radius
• D) Square root of the cube of the
radius 22. At which point does a planet move fastest
Correct Answer: D) Square root of the in its orbit?
cube of the radius
• A) Perihelion
• B) Aphelion
• C) Semi-major axis
18. Which physical quantity is conserved in • D) Center of the orbit
satellite motion? Correct Answer: A) Perihelion

• A) Linear momentum
• B) Angular momentum
• C) Kinetic energy 23. What is the orbital velocity of a satellite
• D) Potential energy near Earth’s surface?
Correct Answer: B) Angular
momentum • A) 7.9 km/s
• B) 9.8 km/s
• C) 11.2 km/s
• D) 5.0 km/s
19. The energy of a satellite in a circular orbit Correct Answer: A) 7.9 km/s
is:

• A) Positive
• B) Zero 24. What happens to acceleration due to
• C) Negative gravity at the Earth's surface when we go deep
into the Earth?
 • A) Increases 29. Kepler’s third law is valid for which type
• B) Decreases of orbits?
• C) Remains constant
• D) Becomes zero • A) Circular only
Correct Answer: B) Decreases • B) Elliptical only
• C) Both circular and elliptical
• D) Hyperbolic
Correct Answer: C) Both circular and
25. What is the approximate value of the elliptical
radius of Earth?

• A) 6.37 ×106 m
• B) 6.67 ×106 m 30. How is gravitational force between two
• C) 7.37 ×106 m bodies affected if the distance between them is
• D) 5.97 ×106 m doubled?
Correct Answer: A) 6.37 ×106 m
• A) Becomes four times stronger
• B) Reduces to half
• C) Reduces to one-fourth
26. The value of acceleration due to gravity on • D) Remains unchanged
the Moon is approximately: Correct Answer: C) Reduces to one-
fourth
• A) 9.8 m/s2
• B) 3.7 m/s2
• C) 1.6 m/s2
• D) 0 m/s2 31. The value of gravitational constant GGG
Correct Answer: C) 1.6 m/s2 was determined using:

• A) A barometer
• B) Cavendish’s experiment
27. Gravitational potential energy at infinity is • C) A torsion balance
considered to be: • D) Both B and C
Correct Answer: D) Both B and C
• A) Positive
• B) Zero
• C) Negative
• D) Infinite 32. The time period of a satellite close to
Correct Answer: B) Zero Earth's surface is approximately:

• A) 60 minutes
• B) 85 minutes
28. The escape velocity on the Moon is • C) 100 minutes
approximately: • D) 24 hours
Correct Answer: B) 85 minutes
• A) 1.6 km/s
• B) 2.3 km/s
• C) 11.2 km/s
• D) 9.8 km/s 33. Which is a natural satellite of Earth?
Correct Answer: B) 2.3 km/s
• A) ISS
• B) Hubble Space Telescope
• C) Moon
 • D) Chandra X-ray Observatory #!
• B) (1 + )
"
Correct Answer: C) Moon ! 2
• C) (1 − "
)
#!
• D) ((1 − )
"
!
Correct Answer: A) (1 + ")2
34. What happens to a satellite's orbital
velocity as the altitude of its orbit increases?

• A) Increases
• B) Decreases 39. Tides are caused primarily due to the
• C) Remains constant gravitational pull of:
• D) Becomes zero
Correct Answer: B) Decreases • A) Sun
• B) Moon
• C) Both Sun and Moon
• D) Earth
35. Gravitational force is classified as which Correct Answer: C) Both Sun and
type of force? Moon

• A) Electrostatic
• B) Central
• C) Nuclear 40. Gravitational shielding is:
• D) Frictional
Correct Answer: B) Central • A) Possible with conductors
• B) Possible with non-conductors
• C) Not possible
• D) Possible with magnetic fields
36. The weight of a body is maximum at: Correct Answer: C) Not possible

• A) Equator
• B) Poles
• C) Center of the Earth 41. What is the relationship between
• D) Above the surface of the Earth gravitational potential energy and the distance
Correct Answer: B) Poles between two masses?

• A) Directly proportional
• B) Inversely proportional
37. What is the approximate mass of the • C) Inversely proportional to the square
Earth? of the distance
• D) Proportional to the cube of the
• A) 5.97 ×10 kg24 distance
• B) 6.67 ×1023 kg Correct Answer: B) Inversely
• C) 3.84 ×1024kg proportional
• D) 1.99 ×1030kg
Correct Answer: A) 5.97 ×1024kg

42. What happens to the energy of an orbiting

satellite when it is moved to a higher orbit?
38. At a height h above Earth’s surface,
acceleration due to gravity decreases by the • A) Increases
factor: • B) Decreases
• C) Remains constant
!
• A) (1 + ")2
 • D) Becomes zero • C) Small radius
Correct Answer: A) Increases • D) High temperature
Correct Answer: B) Low escape
velocity

43. If Earth’s mass is doubled, escape velocity

becomes:
48. Which law governs the motion of artificial
• A) Twice satellites?
• B) Half
• C) 2 times • A) Newton’s first law
• D) Unchanged • B) Newton’s second law
Correct Answer: C) 2 times • C) Newton’s third law
• D) Universal law of gravitation
Correct Answer: D) Universal law of
gravitation
44. What is the weight of a body of mass
mmm at the center of Earth?

• A) Zero 49. The energy required to launch a satellite

• B) mg depends on:
• C) Infinite
• D) Depends on radius • A) Mass of the satellite
Correct Answer: A) Zero • B) Orbital radius
• C) Gravitational force
• D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D) All of the above
45. The height above Earth’s surface at which
gravity becomes zero is:

• A) 10 km 50. Which physical quantity remains constant

• B) 100 km for planets according to Kepler's second law?
• C) Never zero
• D) 6400 km • A) Angular momentum
Correct Answer: C) Never zero • B) Kinetic energy
• C) Velocity
• D) Distance from the Sun
Correct Answer: A) Angular
46. The point where gravitational forces of momentum
Earth and Moon cancel each other is called:

• A) Neutral point
• B) Lagrange point 51. What provides the centripetal force
• C) Equilibrium point required for satellites in orbit?
• D) Perihelion
Correct Answer: A) Neutral point • A) Earth's gravitational pull
• B) Atmospheric pressure
• C) Inertia
• D) Centrifugal force
47. Why does Moon lack an atmosphere? Correct Answer: A) Earth's
gravitational pull
• A) No gravity
• B) Low escape velocity
52. The kinetic energy of a satellite in orbit is: • D) Constant
Correct Answer: B) Minimum
• A) Equal to its potential energy
• B) Twice its potential energy
• C) Half its potential energy
(magnitude) 57. What is the gravitational force between
• D) Equal to the total energy two objects in contact?
Correct Answer: C) Half its potential
energy (magnitude) • A) Zero
• B) Maximum
• C) Equal to mgmgmg
• D) Independent of distance
53. Gravitational force between two bodies Correct Answer: B) Maximum
depends on:

• A) Their masses and the distance

between them 58. Which type of energy is always negative
• B) Only the distance between them for a satellite?
• C) Their volumes
• D) Their speeds • A) Kinetic energy
Correct Answer: A) Their masses and • B) Potential energy
the distance between them • C) Total energy
• D) Heat energy
Correct Answer: B) Potential energy

54. What happens to the time period of a

satellite as the radius of its orbit increases?
59. What is the escape velocity from Mars?
• A) Increases
• B) Decreases • A) 11.2 km/s
• C) Remains constant • B) 5.0 km/s
• D) Becomes zero • C) 4.2 km/s
Correct Answer: A) Increases • D) 2.3 km/s
Correct Answer: B) 5.0 km/s

55. What is the work done by the gravitational

force in a closed orbit? 60. The force between two masses is doubled
if:
• A) Positive
• B) Negative • A) Distance is halved
• C) Zero • B) Mass of one is doubled
• D) Infinite • C) Masses of both are doubled
Correct Answer: C) Zero • D) Distance is doubled
Correct Answer: C) Masses of both
are doubled

56. At the aphelion, the speed of a planet is:

• A) Maximum 61. The orbital speed of a satellite depends on:

• B) Minimum
• C) Equal to escape velocity • A) Its mass
• B) Radius of orbit
 • C) Shape of orbit • A) Two small masses
• D) Earth's rotation • B) Two large masses
Correct Answer: B) Radius of orbit • C) Masses separated by large distance
• D) Masses with high density
Correct Answer: C) Masses separated
by large distance
62. The formula for gravitational potential
energy is:

• A) GmM/r 67. The weight of an object at the equator is:

• B) −GmM/r2
• C) −GmM/r • A) More than at poles
• D) GmM/r • B) Less than at poles
Correct Answer: C) −GmM/r • C) Equal to that at poles
• D) Zero
Correct Answer: B) Less than at poles

63. Which of the following obeys Kepler's

laws?
68. Which law explains why all planets
• A) Planets revolve around the Sun?
• B) Comets
• C) Artificial satellites • A) Universal law of gravitation
• D) All of the above • B) Conservation of energy
Correct Answer: D) All of the above • C) Kepler's second law
• D) Newton's first law
Correct Answer: A) Universal law of
gravitation
64. If Earth's radius decreases with the same
mass, the value of ggg:

• A) Increases 69. The force that keeps planets in orbit is:

• B) Decreases
• C) Remains constant • A) Magnetic force
• D) Becomes zero • B) Centripetal force
Correct Answer: A) Increases • C) Gravitational force
• D) Nuclear force
Correct Answer: C) Gravitational
force
65. What is the effect of air resistance on
satellites?

• A) Increases orbital velocity 70. The unit of gravitational constant G is:

• B) Decreases orbital velocity
• C) No effect in space • A) N m2/kg2
• D) Increases altitude • B) m2/s2
Correct Answer: C) No effect in space • C) kg m/s2
• D) N/kg
Correct Answer: A) N m2/kg2

66. The gravitational force is weakest

between:
71. Which energy changes as a satellite moves Correct Answer: A) The Moon is
in an elliptical orbit? closer

• A) Kinetic energy
• B) Potential energy
• C) Total energy 76. The orbital period of a geostationary
• D) Both A and B satellite is:
Correct Answer: D) Both A and B
• A) 12 hours
• B) 24 hours
• C) 36 hours
72. The gravitational potential energy of a • D) 48 hours
body on Earth's surface is: Correct Answer: B) 24 hours

• A) Zero
• B) Negative
• C) Positive 77. What causes free fall?
• D) Infinite
Correct Answer: B) Negative • A) Earth's gravitational pull
• B) Air resistance
• C) Centrifugal force
• D) Inertia
73. The gravitational force between two Correct Answer: A) Earth's
masses is a/an: gravitational pull

• A) Repulsive force
• B) Attractive force
• C) Variable force 78. A body's weight on the Moon is
• D) Constant force approximately:
Correct Answer: B) Attractive force
• A) 1/2 of Earth's weight
• B) 1/6 of Earth's weight
• C) 2 times Earth's weight
74. When an object is thrown upwards, its • D) Same as Earth's weight
potential energy: Correct Answer: B) 1/6 of Earth's
weight
• A) Increases
• B) Decreases
• C) Remains constant
• D) Becomes zero 79. What is the trajectory of a comet?
Correct Answer: A) Increases
• A) Circular
• B) Elliptical
• C) Parabolic or hyperbolic
75. The tidal effect of the Moon is greater than • D) All of the above
the Sun because: Correct Answer: D) All of the above

• A) The Moon is closer

• B) The Moon is denser
• C) The Sun's force is repulsive 80. What is the mass of the Moon relative to
• D) The Earth's gravity cancels the Earth?
Sun's pull
• A) 1/10
 • B) 1/50 • A) Mass of the satellite
• C) 1/80 • B) Radius of the orbit
• D) 1/100 • C) Density of the satellite
Correct Answer: C) 1/80 • D) Speed of Earth's rotation
Correct Answer: B) Radius of the orbit

81. Which planet has the maximum escape

velocity? 86. Which planet has the longest orbital
period?
• A) Earth
• B) Jupiter • A) Earth
• C) Venus • B) Mars
• D) Mars • C) Neptune
Correct Answer: B) Jupiter • D) Jupiter
Correct Answer: C) Neptune

82. What is a geosynchronous satellite?

87. At the center of Earth, acceleration due to
• A) Orbits Earth in 1 hour gravity is:
• B) Orbits Earth in 24 hours
• C) Has a polar orbit • A) 9.8 m/s²
• D) Moves slower than Earth’s rotation • B) Zero
Correct Answer: B) Orbits Earth in 24 • C) Infinity
hours • D) Half of surface ggg
Correct Answer: B) Zero

83. How does gravitational force vary inside

Earth? 88. The ratio of gravitational force to inertial
force is known as:
• A) Increases linearly with depth
• B) Decreases linearly with depth • A) Reynolds number
• C) Becomes zero at the center • B) Gravitational constant
• D) Both B and C • C) Gravitational ratio
Correct Answer: D) Both B and C • D) Froude number
Correct Answer: D) Froude number

84. What does the term "microgravity"

describe? 89. Why do astronauts experience
weightlessness?
• A) Zero gravity
• B) Very weak gravity • A) Lack of gravity
• C) Gravitational shielding • B) Free fall in orbit
• D) Earth's normal gravity • C) Low pressure
Correct Answer: B) Very weak gravity • D) High orbital velocity
Correct Answer: B) Free fall in orbit

85. The speed of a satellite in orbit depends

on:
90. Which quantity is scalar in gravitational • D) Insufficient mass
motion? Correct Answer: B) Does not clear its
orbital path
• A) Force
• B) Potential energy
• C) Acceleration
• D) Velocity 95. What is the potential energy of a satellite
Correct Answer: B) Potential energy in orbit?

• A) Zero
• B) Positive
91. If the Moon were closer to Earth, its orbital • C) Negative
speed would: • D) Infinite
Correct Answer: C) Negative
• A) Increase
• B) Decrease
• C) Remain constant
• D) Be zero 96. What is the relationship between
Correct Answer: A) Increase gravitational force and mass?

• A) Inversely proportional
• B) Directly proportional
92. What determines the stability of a • C) Constant
satellite's orbit? • D) None of the above
Correct Answer: B) Directly
• A) Shape of orbit proportional
• B) Speed of satellite
• C) Mass of satellite
• D) Distance from Earth
Correct Answer: B) Speed of satellite 97. Which satellite is closest to Earth?

• A) Geostationary
• B) Polar
93. In a two-body system, the center of mass • C) Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
lies: • D) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
Correct Answer: C) Low Earth Orbit
• A) Closer to the smaller mass (LEO)
• B) Closer to the larger mass
• C) At the midpoint
• D) Outside the system
Correct Answer: B) Closer to the 98. Why do comets appear to have tails?
larger mass
• A) Reflection of sunlight
• B) Vaporization of ice
• C) Earth’s gravity
94. Why is Pluto no longer classified as a • D) High velocity
planet? Correct Answer: B) Vaporization of
ice
• A) Too small in size
• B) Does not clear its orbital path
• C) Irregular orbit
99. The weight of an object is maximum at:
 • A) The poles • B) 9.8 km/s
• B) The equator • C) 7.9 km/s
• C) The center of the Earth • D) 12.5 km/s
• D) The Moon Correct Answer: A) 11.2 km/s
Correct Answer: A) The poles

4. The period of a satellite orbiting Earth at a

100. The Earth's gravitational pull is weakest distance 4.2×107 m from its center is
at: approximately:

• A) Poles • A) 12 hours
• B) Equator • B) 24 hours
• C) Center of the Earth • C) 48 hours
• D) Tropics • D) 6 hours
Correct Answer: C) Center of the Correct Answer: B) 24 hours
Earth

5. A satellite of mass 500 kg is at a height of

MCQ NUMARICAL 6.4×106 m above Earth. Calculate the
QUESTIONS gravitational potential energy. (ME =6×1024 kg,
RE =6.4×106 m)

1. The mass of Earth is 6×1024 kg and its • A) −2.5×1010 J

radius is 6.4×106m . What is the acceleration • B) −3.1×1010 J
due to gravity at the surface of Earth? • C) −1.5×1010 J
• D) −4.0×1010 J
• A) 9.8 m/s2 Correct Answer: A) −2.5×1010 J
• B) 10 m/s2
• C) 9.2 m/s2
• D) 8.9 m/s2
Correct Answer: A) 9.8 m/s2 6. The Moon orbits Earth at a distance of
3.84×108 m. If the gravitational force between
them is 2.0×1020 N calculate the Moon's mass.
(ME =6×1024 kg, G=6.67×10-11 N m2/kg2)
2. Calculate the gravitational force between
two masses 10 kg and 20 kg separated by a • A) 7.4×1022 kg
distance of 2 m . (G= 6.67×10 -11 N m2/kg2 ) • B) 6.0×1022 kg
• C) 5.0×1022 kg
• A) 3.34×10−9 N • D) 8.0×1022 kg
• B) 6.67×10−9 N Correct Answer: A) 7.4×1022 kg
• C) 5.0×10−9 N
• D) 2.0×10−9 N
Correct Answer: A) 3.34×10−9 N
7. A planet has a mass 5×1024 kg and radius
6.4×106 m. Calculate the gravitational field
strength at its surface.
3. What is the escape velocity from a planet of
mass 6×1024 kg and radius 6.4×106 m? • A) 9.77 N/kg
(G=6.67×10-11 N m2/kg2) • B) 9.35 N/kg
• C) 8.92 N/kg
• A) 11.2 km/s
 • D) 10.0 N/kg 12. What is the potential energy of a satellite
Correct Answer: A) 9.77 N/kg of mass 200 kg at a height of 106 m above
Earth? (ME =6×1024 , RE =6.4×106 )

• A) −1.25×1010 J
8. If the gravitational potential energy of an • B) −2.5×109 J
object on Earth is −6.4×107 J , what is the • C) −3.75×1010 J
mass of the object? (RE =6.4×106 m, ME • D) −1.0×109 J
=6×1024 kg) Correct Answer: A) −1.25×1010 J

• A) 40 kg
• B) 50 kg
• C) 60 kg 13. Calculate the orbital period of a satellite
• D) 70 kg orbiting at a height of 2.0×106 m above Earth's
Correct Answer: B) 50 kg surface. (G=6.67×10-11 , ME =6×1024 )

• A) 5,000 s
• B) 6,000 s
9. Calculate the orbital speed of a satellite at a • C) 8,000 s
height 2.0×106 m above Earth. (ME =6×1024 • D) 10,000 s
kg, RE =6.4×106 m) Correct Answer: D) 10,000 s

• A) 7.1 km/s
• B) 6.5 km/s
• C) 8.1 km/s 14. What is the weight of a 60 kg object at
• D) 5.5 km/s Earth's surface? (g=9.8 m/s2)
Correct Answer: A) 7.1 km/s
• A) 600 N
• B) 588 N
• C) 612 N
10. The gravitational acceleration on the Moon • D) 540 N
is 1.6 m/s2. What would be the weight of a Correct Answer: B) 588 N
10 kg object on the Moon?

• A) 10 N
• B) 16 N 15. Two bodies separated by a distance of 1 m
• C) 1.6 N exert a force of 6.67×10-9 N . If one mass is
• D) 6.4 N 2 kg , what is the second mass? (G=6.67×10-11
Correct Answer: B) 16 N )

• A) 10 kg
• B) 20 kg
11. Two masses of 20 kg and 30kg are placed • C) 30 kg
5 m apart. What is the gravitational force • D) 40 kg
between them? (G=6.67×10-11 ) Correct Answer: A) 10 kg

• A) 1.6×10−9 N
• B) 8.0×10−10 N
• C) 2.4×10−9 N 16. If a planet’s radius doubles but mass
• D) 3.2×10−9 N remains the same, what happens to ggg?
Correct Answer: B) 8.0×10−10 N
• A) Remains the same
• B) Doubles
 • C) Halves
• D) Reduces by a factor of 4
Correct Answer: D) Reduces by a
factor of 4

17. A body weighs 200 N at Earth's surface.

What would it weigh at a height equal to
Earth's radius?

• A) 100 N
• B) 50 N
• C) 25 N
• D) 0 N
Correct Answer: B) 50 N

18. If Earth's mass is doubled but its radius

remains the same, g would become:

• A) 4 times
• B) 2 times
• C) 1/2 times
• D) Remain the same
Correct Answer: B) 2 times

19. Calculate the ratio of gravitational force to

electrostatic force between two protons
separated by 1 m . (k=9×109 ,G=6.67×10-11 )

• A) 10-36
• B) 10-30
• C) 10-20
• D) 10-40
Correct Answer: A) 10-36

20. If a person’s mass is 70 kg , what would

their weight be on a planet where g=12 m/s2 ?

• A) 700 N
• B) 840 N
• C) 420 N
• D) 1200 N
Correct Answer: B) 840 N