Gravitation

Exercise-10.1 Page: 134

1. State the universal law of gravitation.

Solution:
The universal law of gravitation states that every object in the universe
attracts every other object with a force called the gravitational force. The
force acting between two objects is directly proportional to the product of
their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between their centers.

2. Write the formula to find the magnitude of the gravitational

force between the earth and an object on the surface of the earth.
Solution:
Consider F as the force of attraction between an object on the surface of
earth and the earth
Also, consider ‘m’ as the mass of the object on the surface of earth and
‘M’ as the mass of earth
The distance between the earth’s centre and object = Radius of
the earth = R
Therefore, the formula for the magnitude of the gravitational force
between the earth and an object on the surface is given as
F = G Mm/R2

Exercise-10.2 Page: 136

1. What do you mean by free fall?
Solution:
Earth’s gravity attracts each object to its center. When an object is
dropped from a certain height, under the influence of gravitational force it
begins to fall to the surface of Earth. Such an object movement is called
free fall.

2. What do you mean by acceleration due to gravity?

Solution:
When an object falls freely from a certain height towards the earth’s
surface, its velocity keeps changing. This velocity change produces
acceleration in the object known as acceleration due to gravity and
denoted by ‘g’.
The value of the acceleration due to gravity on Earth is,

Exercise-10.3 Page: 138

1. What are the differences between the mass of an object and its
weight?
Solution:
The differences between the mass of an object and its weight are
tabulated below.

Mass Weight

Mass is the quantity of Weight is the force of gravity

matter contained in the acting on the body.
body.
It is the measure of inertia It is the measure of gravity.
of the body.

It only has magnitude. It has magnitude as well as

direction.

Mass is a constant Weight is not a constant

quantity. quantity. It is different at
different places.

Its SI unit is kilogram Its SI unit is the same as the

(kg). SI unit of force, i.e., Newton
(N).

2. Why is the weight of an object on the moon 1/6th its weight on

the earth?
Solution:
The mass of the moon is 1/100 times and its radius 1/4 times that of
earth. As a result, the gravitational attraction on the moon is about one-
sixth when compared to earth. The moon’s gravitation force is determined
by the mass and the size of the moon. Hence, the weight of an object on
the moon is 1/6th its weight on the earth. The moon is far less
massive than the Earth and has a different radius(R) as well.

Exercise-10.4 Page: 141

1. Why is it difficult to hold a school bag having a strap made of a

thin and strong string?
Solution:
It is tough to carry a school bag having a skinny strap because of the
pressure that is being applied on the shoulders. The pressure is
reciprocally proportional to the expanse on which the force acts. So, the
smaller the surface area, the larger is going to be the pressure on the
surface. In the case of a skinny strap, the contact expanse is quite small.
Hence, the pressure exerted on the shoulder is extremely huge.

2. What do you mean by buoyancy?

Solution:
The upward force possessed by a liquid on an object that’s immersed in it
is referred to as buoyancy.

3. Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of

water?
Solution:
An object floats or sinks when placed on the surface of water because of
two reasons.
(i) If its density is greater than that of water, an object sinks in water.
(ii) If its density is less than that of water, an object floats in water.

Exercise-10.5 Page: 142

1. You find your mass to be 42 kg on a weighing machine. Is your

mass more or less than 42 kg?
Solution:
A weighing machine measures the body weight and is calibrated to
indicate the mass. If we stand on a weighing machine, the weight acts
downwards while the upthrust due to air acts upwards. So our apparent
weight becomes less than the true weight. This apparent weight is
measured by the weighing machine and therefore the mass indicated is
less than the actual mass. So our actual mass will be more than 42 kg.
2. You have a bag of cotton and an iron bar, each indicating a
mass of 100 kg when measured on a weighing machine. In reality,
one is heavier than other. Can you say which one is heavier and
why?
Solution:
The correct answer is the cotton bag is heavier than an iron bar. The bag
of cotton is heavier than the bar of iron. The cotton bag experiences a
larger air thrust than the iron bar. Therefore, the weighing machine
indicates less weight than its actual weight for the cotton bag. The reason
is
True weight = (apparent weight + up thrust)
The cotton bag’s density is less than that of the iron bar, so the volume of
the cotton bag is more compared to the iron bar. So the cotton bag
experience more upthrust due to the presence of air.
Therefore, in the presence of air, the cotton bag’s true weight is more
compared to the true weight of the iron bar.

Exercises-10.6 Page: 143

1. How does the force of gravitation between two objects change

when the distance between them is reduced to half?
Solution:
Consider the Universal law of gravitation,
According to that law, the force of attraction between two bodies is

Where,
m1 and m2 are the masses of the two bodies.
G is the gravitational constant.
r is the distance between the two bodies.
Given that the distance is reduced to half then,
r = 1/2 r
Therefore,

F = 4F
Therefore once the space between the objects is reduced to half, then the
force of gravitation will increase by fourfold the first force.

2. Gravitational force acts on all objects in proportion to their

masses. Why then does a heavy object not fall faster than a light
object?
Solution:
All objects fall from the top with a constant acceleration called
acceleration due to gravity (g). This is constant on earth and therefore
the value of ‘g’ doesn’t depend on the mass of an object. Hence, heavier
objects don’t fall quicker than light-weight objects provided there’s no air
resistance.

3. What is the magnitude of the gravitational force between the

earth and a 1 kg object on its surface? (Mass of the earth is 6 ×
1024 kg and radius of the earth is 6.4 × 10 6m.)
Solution:
From Newton’s law of gravitation, we know that the force of attraction
between the bodies is given by
4. The earth and the moon are attracted to each other by
gravitational force. Does the earth attract the moon with a force
that is greater or smaller or the same as the force with which the
moon attracts the earth? Why?
Solution:
The earth attracts the moon with a force same as the force with which the
moon attracts the earth. However, these forces are in opposite directions.
By universal law of gravitation, the force between moon and also the sun
can be

Where,
d = distance between the earth and moon.
m1 and m2 = masses of earth and moon respectively.
5. If the moon attracts the earth, why does the earth not move
towards the moon?
Solution:
According to the universal law of gravitation and Newton’s third law, we
all know that the force of attraction between two objects is the same,
however in the opposite directions. So the earth attracts the moon with a
force same as the moon attracts the earth but in opposite directions.
Since earth is larger in mass compared to that of the moon, it accelerates
at a rate lesser than the acceleration rate of the moon towards the Earth.
Therefore, for this reason the earth does not move towards the moon.

6. What happens to the force between two objects, if

(i) The mass of one object is doubled?
(ii) The distance between the objects is doubled and tripled?
(iii) The masses of both objects are doubled?
Solution:
(i)
According to universal law of gravitation, the force between 2 objects
(m1 and m2) is proportional to their plenty and reciprocally proportional to
the sq. of the distance(R) between them.

If the mass is doubled for one object.

F = 2F, so the force is also doubled.
(ii)
If the distance between the objects is doubled and tripled
If it’s doubled
Hence,
F = (Gm1m2)/(2R)2
F = 1/4 (Gm1m2)/R2
F = F/4
Force thus becomes one-fourth of its initial force.
Now, if it’s tripled
Hence,
F = (Gm1m2)/(3R)2
F = 1/9 (Gm1m2)/R2
F = F/9
Force thus becomes one-ninth of its initial force.
(iii)
If masses of both the objects are doubled, then

F = 4F, Force will therefore be four times greater than its actual value.

7. What is the importance of universal law of gravitation?

Solution:
The universal law of gravitation explains many phenomena that were
believed to be unconnected:
(i) The motion of the moon round the earth
(ii) The responsibility of gravity on the weight of the body which keeps us
on the ground
(iii) The tides because of the moon and therefore the Sun
(iv) The motion of planets round the Sun

8. What is the acceleration of free fall?

Solution:
Acceleration due to gravity is the acceleration gained by an object due to
gravitational force. On Earth, all bodies experience a downward force of
gravity which Earth’s mass exerts on them. The Earth’s gravity is
measured by the acceleration of the freely falling objects. At Earth’s
surface, the acceleration of gravity is 9.8 ms-2 and it is denoted by ‘g’.
Thus, for every second an object is in free fall, its speed increases by
about 9.8 metres per second.

9. What do we call the gravitational force between the earth and

an object?
Solution:
The gravitation force between the earth and an object is called weight.
Weight is equal to the product of acceleration due to the gravity and mass
of the object.

10. Amit buys few grams of gold at the poles as per the
instruction of one of his friends. He hands over the same when he
meets him at the equator. Will the friend agree with the weight of
gold bought? If not, why? [Hint: The value of g is greater at the
poles than at the equator.]
Solution:
The weight of a body on the earth’s surface;
W = mg (where m = mass of the body and g = acceleration due to
gravity)
The value of g is larger at poles when compared to the equator. So gold
can weigh less at the equator as compared to the poles.
Therefore, Amit’s friend won’t believe the load of the gold bought.
11. Why will a sheet of paper fall slower than one that is crumpled
into a ball?
Solution:
A sheet of paper has a larger surface area when compared to a crumpled
paper ball. A sheet of paper will face a lot of air resistance. Thus, a sheet
of paper falls slower than the crumpled ball.

12. Gravitational force on the surface of the moon is only 1/6 as

strong as gravitational force on the earth. What is the weight in
newton’s of a 10 kg object on the moon and on the earth?
Solution:
Given data:
Acceleration due to earth’s gravity = ge or g = 9.8 m/s2
Object’s mass, m = 10 kg
Acceleration due to moon gravity = gm
Weight on the earth= We
Weight on the moon = Wm
Weight = mass x gravity
gm = (1/6) ge (given)
So Wm = m gm = m x (1/6) ge
Wm = 10 x (1/6) x 9.8 = 16.34 N
We = m x ge = 10 x 9.8
We = 98N

13. A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 49 m/s.

Calculate
(i) The maximum height to which it rises,
(ii) The total time it takes to return to the surface of the earth.
Solution:
Given data:
Initial velocity u = 49 m/s
Final speed v at maximum height = 0
Acceleration due to earth gravity g = -9.8 m/s2 (thus negative as ball is
thrown up).
By third equation of motion,
2gH = v2 – u2
2 × (- 9.8) × H = 0 – (49)2
– 19.6 H = – 2401
H = 122.5 m
Total time T = Time to ascend (Ta) + Time to descend (Td)
v = u + gt
0 = 49 + (-9.8) x Ta
Ta = (49/9.8) = 5 s
Also, Td = 5 s
Therefore T = Ta + Td
T=5+5
T = 10 s

14. A stone is released from the top of a tower of height 19.6 m.

Calculate its final velocity just before touching the ground.
Solution:
Given data:
Initial velocity
u=0
Tower height = total distance = 19.6m
g = 9.8 m/s2
Consider third equation of motion
v2 = u2 + 2gs
v2 = 0 + 2 × 9.8 × 19.6
v2 = 384.16
v = √(384.16)
v = 19.6m/s

15. A stone is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of

40 m/s. Taking g = 10 m/s2, find the maximum height reached by
the stone. What is the net displacement and the total distance
covered by the stone?
Solution:
Given data:
Initial velocity u = 40m/s
g = 10 m/s2
Max height final velocity = 0
Consider third equation of motion
v2 = u2 – 2gs [negative as the object goes up]
0 = (40)2 – 2 x 10 x s
s = (40 x 40) / 20
Maximum height s = 80m
Total Distance = s + s = 80 + 80
Total Distance = 160m
Total displacement = 0 (The first point is the same as the last point)
16. Calculate the force of gravitation between the earth and the
Sun, given that the mass of the earth = 6 × 1024 kg and of the Sun
= 2 × 1030 kg. The average distance between the two is 1.5 ×
1011 m.
Solution:
Given data:
Mass of the sun ms = 2 × 1030 kg
Mass of the earth me = 6 × 1024 kg
Gravitation constant G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2/ kg2
Average distance r = 1.5 × 1011 m
Consider Universal law of Gravitation

17. A stone is allowed to fall from the top of a tower 100 m high
and at the same time another stone is projected vertically
upwards from the ground with a velocity of 25 m/s. Calculate
when and where the two stones will meet.
Solution:
Given data:
(i) When the stone from the top of the tower is thrown,
Initial velocity u’ = 0
Distance travelled = x
Time taken = t
Therefore,
(ii) When the stone is thrown upwards,
Initial velocity u = 25 m/s
Distance travelled = (100 – x)
Time taken = t

From equations (a) and (b)

5t2 = 100 -25t + 5t2
t = (100/25) = 4sec.
After 4sec, two stones will meet
From (a)
x = 5t2 = 5 x 4 x 4 = 80m.
Putting the value of x in (100-x)
= (100-80) = 20m.
This means that after 4sec, 2 stones meet a distance of 20 m from the
ground.

18. A ball thrown up vertically returns to the thrower after 6 s.

Find
(a) The velocity with which it was thrown up,
(b) The maximum height it reaches, and
(c) Its position after 4s.
Solution:
Given data:
g = 10m/s2
Total time T = 6sec
Ta = Td = 3sec
(a) Final velocity at maximum height v = 0
From first equation of motion:-
v = u – gta
u = v + gta
= 0 + 10 x 3
= 30m/s
The velocity with which stone was thrown up is 30m/s.
(b) From second equation of motion

The maximum height stone reaches is 45m.

(c) In 3sec, it reaches the maximum height.
Distance travelled in another 1sec = s’

The distance travelled in another 1sec = 5m.

Therefore in 4sec, the position of point p (45 – 5)
= 40m from the ground.

19. In what direction does the buoyant force on an object

immersed in a liquid act?
Solution:
The buoyant force on an object that is immersed in a liquid will be in a
vertically upward direction.

20. Why a block of plastic when released under water come up to

the surface of water?
Solution:
The density of plastic is lesser than that of water. Therefore, the force of
buoyancy on plastic block will be greater than the weight of plastic block.
Hence, the acceleration of plastic block is going to be in the upward
direction. So, the plastic block comes up to the surface of water.

21. The volume of 50 g of a substance is 20 cm 3. If the density of

water is 1 g cm–3, will the substance float or sink?
Solution:
To find the Density of the substance the formula is
Density = (Mass/Volume)
Density = (50/20) = 2.5g/cm3
Density of water = 1g/cm3
Density of the substance is greater than density of water. So the
substance will sink.

22. The volume of a 500 g sealed packet is 350 cm 3. Will the

packet float or sink in water if the density of water is 1 g cm –3?
What will be the mass of the water displaced by this packet?
Solution:
Density of sealed packet = 500/350 = 1.42 g/cm3
Density of sealed packet is greater than density of water
Therefore the packet will sink.
Considering Archimedes Principle,
Displaced water volume = Force exerted on the sealed packet.
Volume of water displaced = 350cm3
Therefore displaced water mass = ρ x V
= 1 × 350
Mass of displaced water = 350g.