Chapter 5: Gravitation

EXERCISES [PAGES 97 - 99]

Exercises | Q 1. (i) | Page 97

Choose the correct option.
The value of acceleration due to gravity is maximum at ________.
1. the equator of the Earth
2. the center of the Earth
3. the pole of the Earth
4. slightly above the surface of the Earth

SOLUTION
The value of acceleration due to gravity is maximum at the pole of the Earth.
Exercises | Q 1. (ii) | Page 97
Choose the correct option.
The weight of a particle at the center of the Earth is _______.
1. infinite
2. zero
3. same as that at other places
4. greater than at the poles

SOLUTION
The weight of a particle at the center of the Earth is zero.
Exercises | Q 1. (iii) | Page 97
Choose the correct option.
The gravitational potential due to the Earth is minimum at _______.
1. the center of the Earth
2. the surface of the Earth
3. points inside the Earth but not at its center.
4. infinite distance

SOLUTION
The gravitational potential due to the Earth is minimum at the center of the Earth.
Exercises | Q 1. (iv) | Page 97

Choose the correct option.

The binding energy of a satellite revolving around the planet in a circular orbit is 3×109
J. Its kinetic energy is ______.
1. 6 × 109 J
 2. –3 × 109 J
3. –6 × 10+9 J
4. 3 × 10+9 J

SOLUTION
The binding energy of a satellite revolving around the planet in a circular orbit is 3×109
J. Its kinetic energy is 3 × 10+9 J.
Exercises | Q 2. (i) | Page 97
Answer the following question.
State Kepler’s law of equal areas.

SOLUTION
Statement:
The line that joins a planet and the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal intervals of time.

Exercises | Q 2. (ii) | Page 97

Answer the following question.
State Kepler’s law of the period.

SOLUTION
Statement:
The square of the time period of revolution of a planet around the Sun is proportional to
the cube of the semimajor axis of the ellipse traced by the planet.
Exercises | Q 2. (iii) | Page 97
Answer the following question.
What are the dimensions of the universal gravitational constant?

SOLUTION
The dimensions of universal gravitational constant are: [L 3M-1T-2]
Exercises | Q 2. (iv) | Page 97
Answer the following question.
Define the binding energy of a satellite.
SOLUTION
The minimum energy required by a satellite to escape from Earth’s gravitational
influence is the binding energy of the satellite.
Exercises | Q 2. (v) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

What do you mean by geostationary satellite?

SOLUTION
Some satellites that revolve around the Earth in the equatorial planes have the same
sense of rotation as that of the Earth. They also have the same period of rotation as that
of the Earth i.e., 24 hours. Due to this, these satellites appear stationary from the
Earth’s surface and are known as geostationary satellites.
Exercises | Q 2. (vi) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

State Newton’s law of gravitation.

SOLUTION
Statement:
Every particle of matter attracts every other particle of matter with a force that is directly
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of
the distance between them.
Exercises | Q 2. (vii) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

Define the escape velocity of a satellite.

SOLUTION
The minimum velocity with which a body should be thrown vertically upwards from the
surface of the Earth so that it escapes the Earth’s gravitational field is called the escape
velocity (ve) of the body.
Exercises | Q 2. (viii) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

What is the variation in acceleration due to gravity with altitude?
SOLUTION

Variation in acceleration due to gravity due to altitude is given by, g h =

gh = acceleration due to gravity of an object placed at h altitude

g = acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Earth
R = radius of the Earth
h = attitude height of the object from the surface of the Earth.
Hence, acceleration due to gravity decreases with increase in altitude.
Exercises | Q 2. (ix) | Page 97
Answer the following question.
On which factors does the escape speed of a body from the surface of Earth depend?

SOLUTION
The escape speed depends only on the mass and radius of the planet.
Exercises | Q 2. (x) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

As we go from one planet to another planet, how will the mass and weight of a body
change?

SOLUTION

1. As we go from one planet to another, mass of a body remains unaffected.

2. However, due to change in mass and radius of planet, acceleration due to gravity
acting on the body changes as, g ∝ M/R 2.

Hence, weight of the body ∝also changes as, W ∝ M/R 2.

Exercises | Q 2. (xi) | Page 97

Answer the following question.
What is periodic time of a geostationary satellite?

SOLUTION
The periodic time of a geostationary satellite is same as that of the Earth i.e., one day or
24 hours.
Exercises | Q 2. (xii) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

State Newton’s law of gravitation and express it in vector form.

SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 2. (xiii) | Page 97

Answer the following question.
What do you mean by a gravitational constant? State its SI units.

SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 2. (xiv) | Page 97

Answer the following question.
Why is a minimum two-stage rocket necessary for launching of a satellite?

SOLUTION

1. For the projection of an artificial satellite, it is necessary for the satellite to have a
certain velocity.

2. In a single stage rocket, when the fuel in the first stage of the rocket is ignited on
the surface of the Earth, it raises the satellite vertically.
 3. The velocity of the projection of the satellite normal to the surface of the Earth is
the vertical velocity.

4. If this vertical velocity is less than the escape velocity (ve), the satellite returns to
the Earth’s surface. While, if the vertical velocity is greater than or equal to the
escape velocity, the satellite will escape from Earth’s gravitational influence and
go to infinity.

5. Hence, a minimum two-stage rocket, one to raise the satellite to the desired
height and another to provide the required horizontal velocity, is necessary for
launching of a satellite.

Exercises | Q 2. (xv) | Page 97

Answer the following question.

State the conditions for various possible orbits of satellite depending upon the horizontal
speed of projection.

SOLUTION
The path of the satellite depends upon the value of the horizontal speed of projection
vh relative to critical velocity vc and escape velocity ve.
Case (I) vh < vc :
The orbit of the satellite is an ellipse with a point of projection as apogee and Earth at
one of the foci. During this elliptical path, if the satellite passes through the Earth’s
atmosphere, it experiences a nonconservative force of air resistance. As a result, it
loses energy and spirals down to the Earth.
Case (II) vh = vc :
The satellite moves in a stable circular orbit around the Earth.
Case (III) vc < vh < ve:
The satellite moves in an elliptical orbit around the Earth with the point of projection as
perigee.
Case (IV) vh = ve:
The satellite travels along the parabolic path and never returns to the point of projection.
Its speed will be zero at infinity.
Case (V) vh > ve:
The satellite escapes from gravitational influence of Earth traversing a hyperbolic path.
Exercises | Q 3. (i) | Page 98
Answer the following question in detail.
Derive an expression for the critical velocity of a satellite.
SOLUTION
The expression for critical velocity:
1. Consider a satellite of mass m revolving round the Earth at height h above its
surface. Let M be the mass of the Earth and R be its radius.

2. If the satellite is moving in a circular orbit of the radius (R + h) = r, its speed must
be equal to the magnitude of critical velocity vc .

3. The centripetal force necessary for the circular motion of a satellite is provided by
the gravitational force exerted by the satellite on the Earth.
∴ Centripetal force = Gravitational force

Exercises | Q 3. (ii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
State any four applications of a communication satellite.

SOLUTION
Applications of communication satellite:
1. For the transmission of television and radio wave signals over large areas of
Earth’s surface.

2. For broadcasting telecommunication.

3. For military purposes.

4. For navigation surveillance.

Exercises | Q 3. (iii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
Show that acceleration due to gravity at height h above the Earth’s surface is

Answer the following question in detail.

Discuss the variation of acceleration due to gravity with altitude.
SOLUTION
This expression can be used to calculate the value of g at height h above the surface of
the Earth as long as h << R.

Exercises | Q 3. (iv) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
Draw a well labelled diagram to show different trajectories depending upon the
tangential projection speed.

SOLUTION

vh = horizontal speed of projection

vc = critical velocity
ve = escape velocity
Exercises | Q 3. (v) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

Derive an expression for the binding energy of a body at rest on the Earth’s surface of a
satellite.
SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 3. (vi) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
Why an astronaut in an orbiting satellite has a feeling of weightlessness?

SOLUTION

1. For an astronaut, in a satellite, the net force towards the center of the Earth will
always be, F = mg – N.
where, N is the normal reaction.

2. In the case of a revolving satellite, the satellite is performing a circular motion.

The acceleration for this motion is centripetal, which is provided by the
gravitational acceleration g at the location of the satellite.

3. In this case, the downward acceleration, ad = g, or the satellite (along with the
astronaut) is in the state of free fall.
 4. Thus, the net force acting on astronaut will be, F = mg – mad = 0 i.e., the
apparent weight will be zero, giving the feeling of total weightlessness.

Exercises | Q 3. (vii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
Draw a graph showing the variation of gravitational acceleration due to the depth and
altitude from the Earth’s surface.

SOLUTION

Variation of g due to depth and altitude from the Earth’s surface

Exercises | Q 3. (viii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

At which place on the Earth’s surface is the gravitational acceleration maximum? Why?

SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 3. (ix) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
At which place on the Earth’s surface is the gravitational acceleration minimum? Why?
SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 3. (x) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

Derive an expression for variation in gravitational acceleration of the Earth at with
latitude.

SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 3. (xi) | Page 98
Answer the following question.
Define the binding energy of a satellite.

SOLUTION
The minimum energy required by a satellite to escape from Earth’s gravitational
influence is the binding energy of the satellite.
Exercises | Q 3. (xii) | Page 98
Answer the following question in detail.
Obtain the formula for the acceleration due to gravity at the depth ‘d’ below the Earth’s
surface.

SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 3. (xiii) | Page 98
Answer the following question in detail.
State Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion.

SOLUTION

Kepler’s law of orbits:

Statement:
All planets move in elliptical orbits around the Sun with the Sun at one of the foci of the
ellipse.
Explanation:
 1. The figure shows the orbit of a planet around the Sun.

2. Here, S and S' are the foci of the ellipse and the Sun is situated at S.

3. P is the closest point along the orbit from S and is called perihelion.

4. A is the farthest point from S and is called aphelion.

5. PA is the major axis whose length is 2a. PO and AO are the semimajor axes with
lengths ‘a’ each.

MN is the minor axis whose length is 2b. MO and ON are the semiminor axes
with lengths ‘b’ each.

• Kepler’s law of equal areas:

Statement:

The line that joins a planet and the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal intervals of time.

Explanation:
Exercises | Q 3. (xiv) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

State the formula for the acceleration due to gravity at depth ‘d’ and altitude ‘h’. Hence

show that their ratio is equal to by assuming that the altitude is very small as
compared to the radius of the Earth.

SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 3. (xv) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

What is a critical velocity?

SOLUTION
The exact horizontal velocity of projection that must be given to a satellite at a certain
height so that it can revolve in a circular orbit round the Earth is called the critical
velocity or orbital velocity (vc ).
Exercises | Q 3. (xvi) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

Show that acceleration due to gravity at height h above the Earth’s surface is

SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 3. (xvii) | Page 98
Answer the following question in detail.
Define escape speed.

SOLUTION
The minimum velocity with which a body should be thrown vertically upwards from the
surface of the Earth so that it escapes the Earth’s gravitational field is called the escape
velocity (ve) of the body.
Exercises | Q 3. (xviii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

Describe how an artificial satellite using a two-stage rocket is launched in an orbit

around the Earth.
SOLUTION
1. Launching of a satellite in an orbit around the Earth cannot take place by the use
of a single-stage rocket. It requires a minimum of two stage rocket.
2. With the help of the first stage of the rocket, satellite can be taken to the desired
height above the surface of the Earth.
 3. Then the launcher is rotated in a horizontal direction i.e., through 90° using the
remote control and the first stage of the rocket is detached.
4. With the help of the second stage of the rocket, a specific horizontal velocity (v h )
is given to the satellite so that it can revolve in a circular path around the Earth.
5. The satellite follows different paths depending upon the horizontal velocity
provided to it.

Exercises | Q 4. (i) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.
At what distance below the surface of the Earth, the acceleration due to gravity
decreases by 10% of its value at the surface, given the radius of Earth is 6400 km.

SOLUTION
At distance 640 km below the surface of the Earth, value of acceleration due to gravity
decreases by 10%.

Exercises | Q 4. (ii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

If the Earth were made of wood, the mass of wooden Earth would have been 10% as
much as it is now (without change in its diameter). Calculate escape speed from the
surface of this Earth.

SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 4. (iii) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

Calculate the kinetic energy, potential energy, total energy and binding energy of an
artificial satellite of mass 2000 kg orbiting at a height of 3600 km above the surface of
the Earth.

Given: G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2/kg2

R = 6400 km, M = 6 × 1024 kg

SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 4. (iv) | Page 98

Answer the following question in detail.

Two satellites A and B are revolving round a planet. Their periods of revolution are 1
hour and 8 hour respectively. The radius of orbit of satellite B is 4 × 10 4 km. Find radius
of orbit of satellite A.
SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 4. (v) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

Find the gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth.
Given Mass of the Sun = 1.99 × 10 30 kg
Mass of the Earth = 5.98 × 10 24 kg
The average distance between the Earth and the Sun = 1.5 × 10 11 m.
SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 4. (vi) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at a height of 300 km from the surface of the
Earth. (M = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6400 km).

SOLUTION
Given: h = 300 km = 0.3 × 106 m, M = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6400 km = 6.4 × 106 m, G =
6.67 × 10-11 Nm2/kg2
To find: Acceleration due to gravity at height (g h )

Exercises | Q 4. (vii) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

Calculate the speed of a satellite in an orbit at a height of 1000 km from the Earth’s
surface.
(ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6.4 × 106 m)

SOLUTION
Given: h = 1000 km = 1 × 106 m, ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6.4 × 106 m, G = 6.67 × 10–
11 N m2/kg2

To find: Speed of satellite (vc )

Exercises | Q 4. (viii) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

Calculate the value of acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Mars if the radius of
Mars = 3.4 × 103 km and its mass is 6.4 × 1023 kg.
SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 4. (ix) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

A planet has mass 6.4 × 1024 kg and radius 3.4 × 106 m. Calculate the energy required
to remove an object of mass 800 kg from the surface of the planet to infinity.

SOLUTION
Given: M = 6.4 × 1024 kg, R = 3.4 × 106 m, m = 800 kg
To find: Energy required to remove the object from the surface of planet to infinity =
B.E.
Energy required to remove the object from the surface of the planet is 1.004 × 1011 J.

Exercises | Q 4. (x) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

Calculate the value of the universal gravitational constant from the given data. Mass of
the Earth = 6 × 1024 kg, Radius of the Earth = 6400 km, and the acceleration due to
gravity on the surface = 9.8 m/s2.
SOLUTION

Exercises | Q 4. (xi) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

A body weighs 5.6 kg-wt on the surface of the Earth. How much will be its weight on a
planet whose mass is 1/7th mass of the Earth and radius twice that of the Earth’s
radius?
SOLUTION
Exercises | Q 4. (xii) | Page 99

Solve the following problem.

What is the gravitational potential due to the Earth at a point which is at a height of
2RE above the surface of the Earth?
(Mass of the Earth is 6 × 10 24 kg, radius of the Earth = 6400 km and G = 6.67 × 10 –11 N
m2 kg–2)

SOLUTION
Given: M = 6 × 1024 kg, R E = 6400 km = 6.4 × 106 m, G = 6.67 × 10–11 N m2/kg2, h =
2RE