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All questions of Gravitation for NEET Exam

A man of mass m starts falling towards a planet of mass M and radius R. As he reaches near to the surface, he realizes that he will pass through a small hole in the planet. As he enters the hole, he sees that the planet is really made of two pieces a spherical shell of negligible thickness of mass 2M/3 and a point mass M/3 at the centre. Change in the force of gravity experienced by the man is
  • a)
  • b)
    0
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Shailja Jadon answered
The gravitational force on the man when he was falling towards the planet was (GMm)/r^2. G here is the constant. M is mass of the whole planet ie M/3 + 2M/3. m is mass of the man. and r is the radius of the planet. once he has entered the hole in the planet. the force he was experiencing earlier due to the outer shell of the planet becomes 0. and now he experiences force only due to the point mass at the centre. this force is equal to (GMm)/3r^2. thus the change in force is initial - final force experienced which is equal to (2GMm)/3r^2. thus the answer.

Two bodies with same mass “m” separated by a distance “r” exert a gravitational force of F on each other. Suppose the distance between them is doubled and the force becomes F’. The ratio of two forces is
  • a)
    1:4
  • b)
    4:1
  • c)
    1:2
  • d)
    2:1
Correct answer is 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Niharika Nair answered
We know that the force of gravitation is inversely proportional to square of the distance between the two bodies,
i.e. F∝ r-2
Hence, when the distance between them will be doubled, the force will be reduced by 4 times
So, the ratio will be 4:1

 Which is untrue about orbital velocity?
  • a)
    increases with the increase in height of satellite
  • b)
    depends on mass and radius of planet around which it revolves
  • c)
    it is independent of mass of satellite
  • d)
    decreases with an increase in radius of orbit
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Om Desai answered
The untrue statement about orbital velocity is:

1. increases with the increase in height of satellite

Explanation: Orbital velocity is the speed at which an object revolves around a planet or other celestial body in a stable orbit. According to the equation for orbital velocity, v = √(GM/r+h), where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the planet, and r is the radius of the orbit.

As the height of the satellite increases (meaning it gets far to the planet), its h increase , so reasulting in decrease in velocity .

The other statements are true:

2. depends on mass and radius of planet around which it revolves: As mentioned in the equation, orbital velocity depends on both the mass (M) of the planet and the radius (r) of the orbit.

3. it is independent of mass of satellite: The mass of the satellite does not appear in the equation for orbital velocity, so it does not affect the speed at which the satellite orbits the planet.

4. decreases with an increase in radius of orbit: From the equation, we can see that as the radius of the orbit (r) increases, the orbital velocity (v) decreases.

With what angular velocity the earth should spin in order that a body lying at 30° latitude may become weightless [R is radius of earth and g is acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth]
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Nandini Iyer answered
g' = acceleration due to gravity at latitude
g = acceleration due to gravity at poles
ω = angular velocity of earth
(θ) = latitude angle
Now,
g' = g - Rω^2 cos^2(θ)
As, g' = 0 (weightless):
g = Rω^2 cos^2(θ)
g = Rω^2 cos^2(30)
g = Rω^2 (3/4)
ω^2 = 4g/3R
ω = √(4g/3R)

At what altitude will the acceleration due to gravity be 25% of that at the earth’s surface (given radius of earth is R)?
  • a)
    R/4
  • b)
    R
  • c)
    3R/8
  • d)
    R/2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Neha Sharma answered
Force on the body placed on Earth's surface is
F=GMm/R2​
But, F=mg hence,
mg=GMm/R2
where, variables have their usual meanings.
gR2=GM
Now, force on the body at geo-potential  height say h (altitude) where the acceleration due to gravity is 25% of that at the earth's surface i.e.
25g/100​=g/4​
Hence, we can write
g/4​=GM/(R+h)2
 
g/4​= gR2​ /(R+h)2
 
(R+h)2=4R2
Taking roots for both sides we get
R+h=2R
h=R
 

A satellite which appears to be at a fixed position at a definite height to an observer is called:
  • a)
    Geostationary satellite and geosynchronous satellite
  • b)
    Polar satellite
  • c)
    Geostationary satellite
  • d)
    Geosynchronous satellite
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Neha Joshi answered
As the relative velocity of the satellite with respect to the earth is zero, it appears stationary from the Earth surface and therefore it is called is geostationary satellite or geosynchronous satellite.

The escape velocity for the moon is nearly
  • a)
    11.2km/s
  • b)
    2.4km/s
  • c)
    24km/s
  • d)
    10km/s
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Rohit Shah answered
About 11.2 km/s
In common usage, the initial point is on the surface of a planet or moon. On the surface of the Earth, the escape velocity is about 11.2 km/s, which is approximately 33 times the speed of sound (Mach 33) and several times the muzzle velocity of a rifle bullet (up to 1.7 km/s).

Assuming the earth to be a sphere of uniform density the acceleration due to gravity
  • a)
    At a point outside the earth is inversely proportional to the square of its distance from the center
  • b)
     At a point outside the earth is inversely proportional to its distance from the centre
  • c)
    At a point inside is zero
  • d)
    At a point inside is proportional to its distance from the centre
Correct answer is option 'A,D'. Can you explain this answer?

Krishna Iyer answered
As g is inversely proportional to (R+h)2 when we go away from earth's surface g is inversely proportional to square of the distance and g is directly proportional to (R-d) when we go inside the surface of Earth therefore g is directly proportional to distance travelled inside the Earth
g=Gmr/a3=r for r<R
g=Gm/a2 for r<R

Two masses m1 & m2 are initially at rest and are separated by a very large distance. If the masses approach  each  other subsequently, due to gravitational attraction between them, their relative velocity of approach at a separation distance of d is :
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Neha Joshi answered
We use the energy balance
Initial potential energy equals final kinetic energy
Gm1​m2/d​​=1mv12​/2+1​mv22​/2
also, from the conservation of momentum we have
m1​v1​=m2​v2
or
v1​= ​m1​v1/ m2
Substituting this we get 
v1​=√2Gm22​​​/d(m1​+m2​)
Similarly, we have 
v2​= √2Gm12​​​/ d(m1​+m2​)
Now as velocities are in opposite direction their relative velocity is v1​−(−v2​)=v1​+v2
or
[2G(m1​+m2​)​​/ d]1/2

The gravitational potential due to the gravitational force on the earth is defined as the
  • a)
    potential energy multiplied by the mass of the object
  • b)
    potential energy of the mass placed at that point
  • c)
    numerically equal to the potential energy
  • d)
    potential energy of a unit mass at that point.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Nandini Patel answered
Gravitational Potential
Gravitational Potential is dened as the potential energy of a particle of unit mass at that point due to the gravitational force exerted byearth. Gravitational potential energy of a unit mass is known as gravitational potential.

Gravitational Potential is:
  • a)
    negative, scalar quantity , unit JKg-1
  • b)
    positive, vector quantity , unit JKg-1
  • c)
    positive, scalar quantity , unit JKg-1
  • d)
    negative, vector quantity , unit JKg-1
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Ayush Joshi answered
Gravitational potential (radial fields) at a point in a radial field is the work done per unit mass against the field, in bringing a small mass from infinite distance to the point. Since gravitational fields are attractive and the potential at infinite distance is zero, all points within the field have negative values of potential. Gravitational potential is a scalar quantity with SI unit J kg^-1. The symbol used is mostly V but sometimes or Vr or V(r). A radial gravitational field is one in which the field strength has the same magnitude at all points at a given distance from the center. 

According to Kepler’s Law of orbits:
  • a)
    All planets move in parabolic orbits with the Earth situated at one of the foci of the parabola.
  • b)
    All planets move in elliptical orbits with the earth situated at one of the foci of the ellipse.
  • c)
    All planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun situated at one of the foci of the ellipse
  • d)
    All planets move in parabolic orbits with the Sun situated at one of the foci of the parabola.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Muskaan Mishra answered
Explanation:The orbit of a planet around the Sun (or of a satellite around a planet) is not a perfect circle. It is an ellipse—a “flattened” circle. The Sun (or the centre of the planet) occupies one focus of the ellipse. A focus is one of the two internal points that help determine the shape of an ellipse. The distance from one focus to any point on the ellipse and then back to the second focus is always the same.

The height at which the acceleration due to gravity becomes g/9 (where g = the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth) in terms of R, the radius of the earth, is
  • a)
     R/2
  • b)
    2R
  • c)
    R/3
  • d)
    3R
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Ritu Singh answered
Acceleration due to gravity at a height “h” is given by
g’ = g (R/R+h)2
Here,
g is the acceleration due to gravity on the surface
R is the radius of the earth
As g’ is given as g/9, we get
g/9 = g(R/R+h)2
⅓ = R/(R+h)
h=2R

Satellites A and B are orbiting around the earth in orbits of ratio R and 4R respectively. The ratio of their areal velocities is
  • a)
    1 : 2
  • b)
    1 : 4
  • c)
    1 : 8
  • d)
    1 : 16
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Gaurav Kumar answered
Answer :- a
Solution :- L = mvr
⇒L=m√GMr/r 
L = m√GMr−−−−.....(1)
L = 2mdA/dt....(2)
From (1) and (2)
dA/dt ∝ (r)^1/2
= √(dA/dt)1/(dA/dt)2
= √4/1 = 2/1

How much deep inside the earth should a man go so that his weight becomes one fourth of that at a point which is at a height R above the surface of earth .
  • a)
    R/4
  • b)
    15R/16              
  • c)
    3R/4
  • d)
     R/2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Hansa Sharma answered

 g=GM/r2                                                g1=GMr/R3
we are given that,
GMr/R3 =(1/4) GM/(R+R)2
=>r/R3=(1/4).(1/4R2)
=>r=R/6
Therefore, d=R-r=15R/16

If a tunnel is cut at any orientation through earth, then a ball released from one end will reach the other end in time (neglect earth rotation)
  • a)
    84.6 minutes 
  • b)
    42.3 minutes
  • c)
    8 minutes 
  • d)
    Depends on orientation
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Neha Joshi answered
Total time period will be 84.6 min when ball released from one end and it come backs to same point as in oscillation.
When ball is released from one end then time taken to reach other end will be half of total time period then that will be 42.3 min.
 

A satellite of mass 5M orbits the earth in a circular orbit. At one point in its orbit, the satellite explodes into two pieces, one of mass M and the other of mass 4M. After the explosion the mass M ends up travelling in the same circular orbit, but in opposite direction. After explosion the mass 4M is in
  • a)
    Bound orbit 
  • b)
    Unbound orbit
  • c)
    Partially bound orbit
  • d)
    Data is insufficient to determine the nature of the orbit
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
Applying the conservation of momentum, we get:
V = velocity of 5M, V1 = velocity of 4M, V2 = velocity of M and ATQ V2 = -V
5MV = 4MV1 + M(-V)
6MV = 4MV1
V1 = 3/2 V
Now, Vo = orbital velocity and Ve = escape velocity
Ve = √2 Vo 
In a bound orbit the object is gravitationally bound to the body that is the source of gravity (like the Earth is bound to the Sun, or the Moon to the Earth). An unbound orbit is typically hyperbolic, and the object will escape from the source of gravity
 

The orbit of a planet P round the sun S. AB and CD are the minor and major axes of the ellipse.
              
 If t1 is the time taken by the planet to travel along ACB and t2 the time along BDA, then
  • a)
     t1 = t2
  • b)
    t1 > t2
  • c)
     t1 < t2
  • d)
    Nothing can be concluded
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Pooja Shah answered
Here, the angular momentum is conserved i.e. mvr is constant. Where r is the distance from centre of the sun to centre of the planet.
Now, consider one point each from both the mentioned paths. (Shown in fig.)
Applying conservation of angular momentum for these points we get 
mv1​r1​=mv2​r2​. Simplifying this, v1/​v2​​=r2​/r1​​<1
Time period are given by 
t1​=L/ v1​, t2​= L​/ v2
Comparing them by taking the ratio 
t1/t2​​=(L​/ v1)×(v2/L)
So, t1/t2=v2​/v1​​>1.Thus t1​>t2

When a satellite moves in a circular orbit, the _______acceleration is provided by the gravitational attraction of the earth
  • a)
    tangential
  • b)
    centrifugal
  • c)
    centripetal
  • d)
    fictitious
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Hansa Sharma answered
When any body or particle moves in circular orbit centripetal force acts on it and to move the object centripetal acceleration is necessary. So, when a satellite moves in circular orbit the centripetal acceleration is provided by the gravitational attraction of the earth.

 The mass and diameter of a planet are twice those of earth. What will be the period of oscillation of a pendulum on this planet if it is a seconds pendulum on earth ?
  • a)
      second
  • b)
      seconds
  • c)
     second
  • d)
    second
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Pooja Shah answered
As Mp​=2Me​ and Dp​=2De
or Rp​=2Re​
Hence, gp​= GMp/(Rp​)2 ​​=G(2Me​)/(2Re​)2 ​= GMe/2Re2​ ​​=ge/2​​
Time period of pendulum on the planet  Tp​=2π√ l/gp​
Tp​=2π√​2l/ge​​=√2​×2π√l/ge​=√2​×Te
Tp​=√2​×2=2√2​s

 In side a hollow spherical shell
  • a)
    Everywhere gravitational potential is zero 
  • b)
    Everywhere gravitational field is zero
  • c)
     Everywhere gravitational potential is same
  • d)
    Everywhere gravitational field is same
Correct answer is option 'B,C,D'. Can you explain this answer?

Lavanya Menon answered
The gravitational field inside a uniform spherical shell is 0 from gauss law for gravitation since no mass is enclosed in any Gaussian surface.
Since gravitational potential is given by φ=−∫ gdr, hence, φ=constant since g=0.
Since the gravitational field is 0 everywhere, it is apparently the same everywhere.
Answer is B,C,D.

Consider two configurations of a system of three particles of masses m, 2m and 3m. The work done by external agent in changing the configuration of the system from figure (i) to figure (ii) is
 
  • a)
    zero
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Arjun Singh answered
Pick up either 2m or 3m mass for both configuration as the distance of other masses with respect to these is changing and find the sum of potential energy on that particular mass in both configurations subtract initial energy from final energy you will get answer

An earth satellite is moved from one stable circular orbit to a farther stable circular orbit. which one of following quantity increases
  • a)
    gravitational potential energy
  • b)
    centripetal acceleration
  • c)
    gravitationl force
  • d)
    linear orbital speed
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Neha Joshi answered
We know that gravitational potential is negative in sign and its magnitude decreases when distance from the massive attracting object increases, hence when considered with sign we can say that gravitational potential increases with increases in distance.

What could be the maximum value for gravitational potential energy?
  • a)
    1
  • b)
    zero
  • c)
    infinity
  • d)
    1000
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Riya Banerjee answered
As, U=−Gm1m2/r, 
it can be used to describe the potential energy in a system of point charges (or radially symmetric spheres) as a function of their separation distance r, then the maximum value is zero at infinite separation.
Hence, its maximum value is zero at infinity.
 

 When a satellite in a circular orbit around the earth enters the atmospheric region, it encounters small air resistance to its motion. Then
  • a)
     Its kinetic energy increases
  • b)
    Its kinetic energy decreases
  • c)
    Its angular momentum about the earth decreases
  • d)
    Its period of revolution around the earth increases
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Hansa Sharma answered
Due to air drag some mechanical energy of satellite will converted into heat energy, there will be loss of ME of satellite, so radius of orbit will decrease and satellite will follow a spiral path towards earth. 
If r is decreases,
P.E.=−GMm​/r, P.E. is also decreases.
K.E=GMm​/2r K.E increasing, increased speed in spite of decrease in M.E. But rate of P.E decreases is more than the rate at which M.E decreases.
Angular momentum L=mrv=mr√GM​r=m√GMr​⇒L∝√r​.
So, angular momentum decreases as r decreases.

In Cavendish’s experiment,
  • a)
    torque on bar AB having two small lead spheres due to gravitational forces is balanced by the restoring torque of the wire
  • b)
    net force on bar AB having two small lead spheres due to gravitational forces is positive
  • c)
    net force on bar AB having two small lead spheres due to gravitational forces is negative
  • d)
    net torque on bar AB having two small lead spheres due to gravitational forces is positive
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Gowri Kulkarni answered
Cavendish's apparatus for experimentally determining the value of G involved a light, rigid rod about 2-feet long. Two small lead spheres were attached to the ends of the rod and the rod was suspended by a thin wire. When the rod becomes twisted, the torsion of the wire begins to exert a torsional force that is proportional to the angle of rotation of the rod. The more twist of the wire, the more the system pushes backwards to restore itself towards the original position.

If a film of width l is stretched in the longitudinal direction a distance d by force F, surface tension is given by
  • a)
    S = F/l
  • b)
    S = F/3l
  • c)
    S = F/4l
  • d)
    S = F/2l
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Hansa Sharma answered
  • Let L be the width of the film. Since the film has two surfaces, the total length along which the surface force acts on the slider is 2L.
  • The surface tension S in the film is defined as the ratio of the surface force F to the length d (perpendicular to the force) along which the force acts S=F/d
  • Hence, in the case, d = 2L S=F/2L

If the radius of the earth be increased by a factor of 5, by what factor its density  be changed to keep the value of g the same?
  • a)
    1/25
  • b)
    1/5
  • c)
    1
  • d)
    5
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
Since density = M/V and M = gr^2/G and V = 4/3πr^3
Therefore density = (3/4) * (g/πrG) and new density = (3/4)*(g/πr'G)
As r’ = 5r then the new density = ¾ * (g/5rGπ)
d’ = 1/5*3/4(g/πrG)
d'=1/5 d

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