GRAVITATION NOTES.
Class 9
INTRODUCTION:
• The force of gravitation is always the force of attraction.
• Gravitational is the phenomena of attraction between any two objects in the
universe.
• The objects may be of any size shape marks and any distance apart.
• Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. It’s the
“center-seeking” force.
• Examples of Centripetal Force: Earth revolving around the Sun, the Sun’s gravity
acts as the centripetal force, constantly pulling the Earth towards it, keeping it in
orbit.
NEWTON’S UNIVERSAL LAW OF GRAVITATION
every object in the universe attracts every other object with the force which is- (I)
directly proportional to the product of their masses (II) inversely proportional to the
square of distance between their centres , the force is along the line joining centres of
two objects.
DERIVATION
Consider two objects A and B of masses M and m respectively. Let d be the distance
between their centres. If F is the gravitational force of attraction between these objects
, then
F ∝ M × m. And. F ∝ 1/d²
Therefore, F ∝ (M × m ) ÷ d²
F = G M m / d²
Where is the constant of proportionality and is called universal gravitational constant .
UNIT AND VALUE OF G
According to Newton's law of gravitation,
F = G M m / d²
So , G = F × d²/Mm
As SI unit of force is Newton, distance is metre, and masses kilogram. Therefore SI unit
of gravitational constant become N m²/ Kg².
VALUE OF G
If M= m = 1 kg and d= 1 m , then
G = F × 1²/1×1 = F
Hence universal gravitational constant g is numerically equal to the gravitational force
of attraction between two bodies when each of unit masses kept at unit distance from
each other.
The value of g was found by Henry Cavendish by using sensitive balance. The accepted
value of G = 6.67 × 10 -11 N m²/ Kg².
As the value of G is extremely small there for gravitational force between any two
ordinary object will be really weak.
Importance of universal law of gravitation:
1. It explain how gravitation force of attraction of earth is responsible for winding all the
terrestrial objects.
2. It explains about the force responsible for earth to revolve around Sun and moon to
revolve around Earth.
3. It also explain about the rainfall and snowfall on earth.
4. The tides formed by the rising in falling of water level in the ocean are due to
gravitational force of attraction which the sun and moon exert on the sea water.
5. It explains about the course of attraction existing between any two objects in
universe.
Gravitation between light objects and heavy objects
1. When two bodies of mass 1 kg and are 1 m apart, the F =G = 6.67 × 10 -11 N
2. When a body of mass 1 kg is held on the surface of Earth, F = 9.8 N.
3. When both the bodies are heavy like earth and moon the gravitational force will
be quiet large due to the large masses.
Gravity: .Gravity is the phenomenon of attraction between earth and any other body.
FREE FALL
• All objects fault words under the action of gravitational force of earth alone said to
be in free fall.
• Acceleration due to gravity is the acceleration produced in the body in free fall due
to gravitational force of Earth. It is represented by g.
• Unit of g is metre per second square.
Relation between g and G
According to Newton's second law of motion, F = m × a = mg
And according to universal law of gravitation , F = G M m / d²
Therefore , mg = G M m / d²
g = G M / d²
Value of acceleration due to gravity ( g)
G = G M / d² , now G = 6.67 × 10 -11 N m²/ Kg² , mass of earth, M = 6 × 1024. And radius of
earth, d = 6.4 × 106
Therefore, g= 9.8 m/s².
• Value of acceleration due to gravity does not depend upon mass of the body , this
means that a big stone and a small stone when drop from a particular height will
move with same acceleration due to gravity and will strike the ground at the same
time.
• Acceleration due to gravity at poles is maximum as radius at poles is minimum
• Acceleration due to gravity at equator is minimum as radius at poles is maximum
• Value of g decreases with height above the surface of Earth.
• Value of g decreases as we go down inside the earth and at the centre it becomes
zero.
Considerations for free fall
1. When a body is allowed to call freely from a height it's initial velocity zero
2. When a body is falling vertically downwards it velocity goes on increasing therefore g
is positive.
3. Vertically upwards velocity goes on decreasing therefore g is negative.
4. Highest point final velocity of the object will be zero.
5. Velocity with which a body strikes the ground is always equal to the velocity with
which it was projected upwards.
MASS AND WEIGHT
Mass of a body is defined as the quantity of matter contained in the body. It is
represented by m. SI unit is Kg.
Weight of a body is defined as the force with which the body is attracted towards the
centre of earth. It’s SI unit is Newton. W = mg
Weight of an object on moon
The weight of an object on moon in the force with which object is attracted towardss
centre of moon. ( Calculation from text book)
Difference between mass and weight –
Mass Weight
1. Man Sharda amount of matter Wait is the gravity acting on an object.
contained in an object
2. It is a fundamental quantity It is not a fundamental quantity
3. It is measured using Pan It is measured using spring balance
balance.
4. It remain same everywhere. Which English from one place to another.
5. It's value can never be zero It can be zero in case of 0 gravity
6. It’s SI unit is Kg It’s SI unit is N
7. It is a scalar quantity It is a vector quantity