230 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions

Chapter 8
Gravitation
Important Results
1. Gravitation Every object in the universe attracts every other
object with a force, which is called the force of gravitation.
2. Newtons law of gravitation The gravitational force acting
between two point objects is directly proportional to the product
of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them, i.e.,
m1 m2
r
m1m2
F
r2
mm
or F = G 12 2
r
where, G is the universal gravitational constant.
3. The value of G is 6.67 1011 N-m2 /kg2 and remains same
throughout the universe.
4. Gravitational force is a central as well as conservative force but
the weakest force in nature.
5. Acceleration due to gravity The time rate of change of velocity of
a freely falling body under gravity is called acceleration due to
gravity (g).
GM
6. Relation between g and G is given by g = 2 e
Re
where, Me and Re are the mass and radius of the earth
respectively.
7. If is the angular velocity of rotation of earth about its own axis
then acceleration due to gravity at any place on earth aries as
g = g R2 cos2
where, is the latitude of that place.
8. At equator = 0
g = g R2
At poles = 90
g = g
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 231

9. Therefore, acceleration due to gravity is maximum at poles and

minimum at equator on earth.
10. The value of g at height h from earths surface is given by
g
g = 2
h
1 +
Re
Therefore, g decreases with height.
11. The value of g at depth h from earths surface is given by
h
g = g1
Re
Therefore, g decreases with depth and becomes zero at earths
centre.
12. Intensity of gravitational field The gravitational force acting per
unit mass at any point in gravitation field is called intensity of
gravitational field
F
I or Eg =
m
Its unit is N/m.
13. Intensity of gravitational field at a distance r from a body of mass
M is given by
GM
I or Eg = 2
r
14. Gravitational potential At any point in gravitational field is equal
to the work done per unit mass in bringing a very light body from
infinity to that point.
W GM
Vg = =
m r
Its unit is J/kg.
15. Gravitational potential energy between two masses m1 and m2
separated by a distance r is given by
Gm1m2
U=
r
16. A satellite is a heavenly object which revolve around a planet.
17. Artificial satellites are of two types
(i) geostationary or parking satellites
(ii) polar satellites
18. Orbital velocity of a satellite is given by
GMe g
vo = = Re
r (Re + h)
where, Me = Mass of the earth
Re = Radius of the earth
h = Height of the satellite from earth surface
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19. When a satellite revolve near the earths surface, then its orbital
velocity
v o = gR 7.92 km /h
20. Time period of a satellite
r3
T = 2
GMe
2 Re + h)
3
=
R g
21. When a satellite revolve near the earths surface, then
R
T = 2 e 84.6 min
g
GMe m
22. Total energy of a satellite (E) =
2r
23. Binding energy of a satellite is the minimum energy required to
remove a satellite from its orbit around the earth (planet) to
infinity.
GMe m
Binding energy of a satellite = +
2r
24. Escape velocity The minimum velocity with which when a body
is projected vertically upwards from the earths surface, it just
crosses the earths gravitational field and never returns.
2GMe
25. Escape velocity (v e ) = = 2gRe
R
26. Escape velocity at earth is 11.2 km/s.
27. Keplers laws of planetary motion
(i) Law of orbit Every planet revolve around the sun in an
elliptical orbit and the sun is at its one focus.
(ii) Law of area The areal velocity of any planet around the sun is
constant i. e.,
dA L
= = constant
dt 2m
(iii) Law of period The square of the time period of revolution of a
planet around the sun is directly proportional to the cube of
semi-major axis of the elliptical orbit, i.e,
T 2 a3
where, a = semi-major axis of the elliptical orbit.
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 233

Exercises
Question 1. Answer the following :
(a) You can shield a charge from electrical forces by putting it inside a
hollow conductor. Can you shield a body from gravitational
influence of nearby matter by putting it inside a hollow sphere or by
some other means?
(b) An astronaut inside a small spaceship orbiting around the earth
cannot detect gravity. If the space station orbiting around the earth
has a large size can he hope to detect gravity?
(c) If you compare the gravitational force on the earth due to the sun to
that due to the moon, you would find that the suns pull is greater
than moons pull. (You can check this yourself using the data
available in the succeeding exercises). However, the tidal effect of
the moons pull is greater than the tidal effect of the sun, why?
Solution
(a) No, any body cannot be shield from gravitational influence of
nearby matter by putting it inside a hollow sphere because
gravitational forces does not depend upon the nature of the
intervening medium, while electrical forces depends upon the
nature of the intervening medium.
(b) Yes, an astronaut can hope to detect gravity if the size of the
spaceship is very large because in this condition the magnitude of
the gravity of the spaceship will become appreciable and may
become measurable.
(c) Tidal effect is not governed by the inverse square law of the
gravitational force, but it inversely proportional to the cube of the
distance. Earth-moon distance is very small as compared to the
earth-sun distance. Therefore, tidal effect of moon is more
effective than the tidal effect of sun.
Question 2. Choose the correct alternatives.
(a) Acceleration due to gravity increases/decreases with increasing
altitude.
(b) Acceleration due to gravity increases/decreases with increasing
depth (assume the earth to be a sphere of uniform density).
(c) Acceleration due to gravity is independent of the mass of the
earth/mass of the body.
1 1
(d) The formula GMm is more/less accurate than the
r2 r1
formula mg ( r2 r1 ) for the difference of potential energy between
two points r2 and r1 distance away from the centre of earth.
Solution
(a) Acceleration due to gravity at altitude h from earths surface is given
by
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g
g = 2
h
1 +
Re
where R e is the radius of the earth.
Therefore, acceleration due to gravity decreases with increasing
altitude.
(b) Acceleration due to gravity at depth h from earths surface is given
by
h
g = g 1
Re
Therefore, acceleration due to gravity decreases with increasing
depth.
(c) Acceleration due to gravity is independent of the mass of the
body.
1 1
(d) The formula GMm is more accurate than the formula
r2 r1
mg(r2 r1) for the difference of potential energy between two
points r2 and r1 distance away from the centre of earth.
Question 3. Suppose there existed a planet that went around the sun
twice as fast as the earth. What would be its orbital size as compared to
that of the earth?
The centripetal force required for the orbital motion of any planet is
obtained from the gravitational force between the planet and the sun, so
by equating centripetal force and gravitational force we can calculate the
orbital radius.
Solution Let M s = Mass of the sun
M e = Mass of the earth
r = Radius of the orbit of the earth around the sun
r = Radius of the planet around the sun
= Angular speed of the earth
= Angular speed of the planet
The centripetal force required for the orbital motion of earth is obtained
from the gravitational force between the earth and the sun.
M ev 2 GM sM e
=
r r2
GM s
or v2 =
r
But linear velocity v = r
GM s
(r)2 =
r
GM s
or = 3
2
(i)
r
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 235

Similarly, for the other given planet,

GM s
2 = (ii)
r 3
Dividing Eq. (i) by Eq. (ii), we get
2 r 3
=
2 r 3
2

or r 3 = r 3

2/ 3

or r = r (iii)

But the planet went round the sun twice as fast as the earth, therefore
= 2
From Eq. (iii), we get
2/ 3

r = r
2
r r
r = =
(2)2/ 3 (4)1/ 3
r
= = 0.63r
149
.
Therefore, the planets orbital size is smaller than the orbital size of the
Earth by a factor of 0.63.
Question 4. If one of the satellites of jupiter has an orbital period of
1.769 days and the radius of the orbit is 4.22 10 8 m. Show the mass of
jupiter is about one thousandth that of sun.
Solution Given, time period of a satellite of jupiter
T = 1.769 days
= (1.769 24 60 60) s
= 1.528 105 s
Radius of orbit (r) = 4.22 108 m
G = 6.67 1011 N-m2/kg 2
Mass of the sun M s = 2 1030 kg
Let mass of the jupiter be mJ .
Centripetal force required for the orbital motion of the satellite
= Gravitational force between planet and satellite
mv 2 GM J m
=
r r2
GM J
or v2 =
r
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GM J
(r)2 = (Q v = r)
r
GM J
=
2
r3
2
But = , where T is the time period.
T
2
2 GM J
=
T r3
4 2r 3
or MJ =
T 2G
4 (3.14)2 (4.22 108)3
=
(1.528 105)2 6.67 1011
= 1.9 1027 kg
2 1027 kg
M J 2 1027 1
Now, =
M s 2 1030 1000
1
or MJ = Ms
1000
Therefore, the mass of jupiter is about one thousandth that of sun.
Question 5. Let us assume that our galaxy consists of 2.5 1011 stars
each of one solar mass. How long will a star at a distance of 50000 light
years from the galactic centre take to complete one revolution? Take the
diameter of the milky way to be 10 5 light years.
Solution Number of stars in our galaxy (N) = 2.5 1011
Mass of each star (m) = One solar mass
= 2 1030 kg
Total mass of the stars in one galaxy = N m
= 2.5 1011 2 1030
= 5.0 1041 kg
Radius of orbit of a star r = 50000 light years
But 1 light year = 9.46 1015 m
r = 50000 9.46 1015 m
Diameter of the milky way = 105 light years.
The centripetal force required for orbital motion is obtained from the
gravitational force.
Centripetal force = Gravitational force
mv 2 GMm
=
r r2
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 237

GM
or v2 =
r
GM
(r) =
2
(Q v = r)
r
GM
or 2 = 3
r
2
2 GM 2
= 3 Q =
T r T
4 2r 3
or T2 =
GM
4 (3.14)2 (5 9.46 1015)3
T=
6.67 1011 5 1041
= 12527.5 1028
= 111.93 1014 s
111.93 1014
= yr
365 24 3600
= 3.55 108 yr

Question 6. Choose the correct alternative.

(a) If the zero of potential energy is at infinity, the total energy of an
orbiting satellite is negative of the kinetic/potential energy.
(b) The energy required to rocket an orbiting satellite out of earths
gravitational influence is more/less than the energy required to
project a stationary object at the same height (as the satellite) out of
earths influence.
Solution
GMm
(a) Potential energy of satellite U =
r
GMm
Kinetic energy of satellite K =
2r
Total energy E = U + K
GMm GMm GMm
= + =
r 2r 2r
= K
i.e., negative of kinetic energy.
(b) The energy required to rocket an orbiting satellite out of earths
gravitational influence is less than the energy required to project
a stationary object, because in case of orbiting satellite the
gravitational pull of earth acting on it is balanced by centripetal
force so work is required only in rocketing it (no work is required
against the gravitational pull).
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Question 7. Does the escape velocity of a body from the earth depend
on (a) the mass of the body, (b) the location from which it is projected,
(c) the direction of projection, (d) the height of the location from where
the body is launched? Explain your answer.
Solution Escape velocity is given by
2GM
ve = = 2gR
R
2GM
At distance r from earths surface the escape velocity v e =
r
where, M and R are the mass and radius of the earth and r is the distance of
the point of projection from earths centre.
(a) No, from the formula it is clear that the escape velocity does not
depand on the mass of the body.
(b) Yes, the escape velocity depends on the location from which it is
projected, i.e., on the altitude and latitude of the point of
projection.
Escape velocity v e = 2gR
and the value of g is different at different latitudes and altitudes.
(c) No, the escape velocity does not depend on the direction of
projection.
(d) Yes, the escape velocity depends on the height of location from
where the body is launched.
Question 8. A comet orbits the sun in highly elliptical orbit. Does the
comet has a constant (a) linear speed, (b) angular speed, (c) angular
momentum, (d) kinetic energy, (e) potential energy and (f ) total energy
throughout its orbit? Neglect any mass loss of the comet when it comes
very close to sun.
Solution
(a) According to law of conservation of linear momentum
L = mvr = constant, therefore the comet moves faster when it is
close to the sun and moves slower when it is farther away from the
sun. Therefore, the speed of the comet does not remain constant.
(b) As the linear speed varies, the angular speed also varies.
Therefore, angular speed of the comet does not remain constant.
(c) As no external torque is acting on the comet, therefore, according
to law of conservation of angular momentum, the angular
momentum of the comet remain constant.
1
(d) Kinetic energy of the comet = mv 2
2
As the linear speed of the comet changes its kinetic energy also
changes. Therefore, its KE does not remains constant.
(e) Potential energy of the comet changes as its kinetic energy
changes.
(f) Only angular momentum and total energy of a comet remain
constant throughout its orbit.
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 239

Question 9. Which of the following symptoms is likely to afflict an

astronaut in space?
(a) Swollen feet (b) Swollen face
(c) Headache and (d) Orientational problem
Solution (b), (c), (d) i.e., swollen face, headache and orientational
problems are the symptoms likely to afflict an astronaut in space. In
space, the pressure inside the body of astronaut is higher than the
outside pressure, so due to high flow of blood, astronaut can have these
problems.
Question 10. Choose the correct answer among the given ones. The
gravitational intensity at the centre of a hemispherical shell of uniform
mass density has the direction indicated by the arrow (see in the figure.)
(i) a, (ii) b, (iii) c, (iv) zero.

g f b
P c a
e c
P C

Solution (iii) The gravitational potential is constant at all points inside

a spherical shell.
Gravitational potential gradient inside the spherical shell
dV d
= (constant) = 0
dr dr
Gravitational intensity is equal to the negative of the gravitational
potential gradient. Therefore, gravitational intensity is also zero at all
points insides the spherical shell and hence gravitational force acting on
any particle at all points inside the spherical shell will be equal.
If upper hemisphere shell is removed then gravitational force acting on
particle placed at centre O will be downward. Therefore, the
gravitational force acting per unit mass, i.e., gravitational intensity will
be downward.
Question 11. For the above problem, the direction of the gravitational
intensity at an arbitrary point P is indicated by the arrow (i) d, (ii) e, (iii) f,
(iv) g.
Solution As point P lies on the face of semispherical shell and hence
gravitational intensity at point P will be downward.
Question 12. A rocket is fired from the earth towards the sun. At what
distance from the earths centre is the gravitational force on the rocket
zero? Mass of the sun = 2 10 30 kg, mass of earth = 6. 0 10 24 kg. Neglect
the effect of the other planets etc. (Orbital radius = 1. 5 1011 m).
Solution Mass of the sun (M s) = 2 1030 kg
Mass of the earth (M e) = 6.0 1024 kg
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Orbital radius (r) = 1.5 1011 m

Let gravitational force acting on the rocket be zero at a distance x from
earths centre. The mass of the rocket be m.
(r x ) x

Sun r Earth
Gravitational force between rocket and the sun
= Gravitational force between rocket and the earth
GM sm GM em
=
(r x)2 x2
Ms M
or = 2e
(r x)2
x
2 1030 6 1024
or =
(r x)2 x2
(r x)2 2 1030
or =
x2 6 1024
(r x)2 106
=
x2 3
Taking square root on both sides,
r x 103
or =
x 3
r 103 3
1=
x 3
1.732 1000
=
3
r 1732
or =1+
x 3
r 1735
=
x 3
3
or x= r
1735
3 1.5 1011
= = 2.594 108 m
1735
x = 2.6 108 m

Question 13. How will you weight the sun i.e., estimate its mass? You
will need to know the period of one of its planets and the radius of the
planetary orbit. The mean orbital radius of the earth around the sun is
1. 5 10 8 km. Estimate the mass of the sun.
Solution Mean orbital radius of the earth around the sun
r = 1.5 108 km = 1.5 1011 m
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 241

Time period of earth around the sun = 1 yr

= 365 days = 365 24 60 60 s
As required centripetal force is obtained from the gravitational force,
therefore
Centripetal force = Gravitational force
mv 2 GM sm
=
r r2
GM s
v2 =
r
GM s
(r) =
2
(Q v = r)
r
GM
or 2 = 3 s
r
2
But =
T
2
2 GM
= 3s
T r
4 2r 3
or Ms =
GT 2
4 (3.14)2 (1.5 1011)3
=
6.67 1011(365 24 60 60)2
2 1030 kg

Question 14. A saturn year is 29.5 times the earth year. How far is the
saturn from the sun if the earth is 1. 50 10 8 km away from the sun?
According to Keplers law of period, the square of the time period of a
planet is directly proportional to the cube of the average radius of the
orbit, i.e., T 2 r 3
Solution Earth year Te = 1 yr
Saturn year Ts = 29.5 yr
Radius of earths orbit (R e) = 1.50 108 km
Radius of saturans orbit (R s) = ?
According to Keplers planetery law of period,
T 2 R3
Te2 R e3
or =
Ts2 R s3
2
1 (1.50 108)3
=
29.5 R s3
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R s3 = (29.5)2 (1.50 108)3

= (2.947 1027km)
R s = (2.937 1027)
= 1.43 109 km
= 1.43 1012 m

Question 15. The weight of a body on the surface of earth is 63 N. What

is the gravitational force on it due to the earth at a height equal to half the
radius of earth?
To calculate the gravitational force at height, we have to calculate
acceleration due to gravity at altitude h which is given by
g
g = 2
h
1 +
Re
Re
Solution Given h =
2
Acceleration due to gravity at altitude h is given by
g
g = 2
h
1 +
Re
g
= 2
R / 2
1 + e
Re
g
= 2
1
1 +
2
g 4
= = (i)
(3 / 2)2 9
Weight of the body at earths surface
w = mg = 63 N (ii)
Weight of the body at altitude h = R e / 2
4
w = mg = mg (iii)
9
Using Eq. (ii), we get
4
w = 63
9
w = 28 N
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 243

Question 16. Assuming the earth to be a sphere of uniform mass

density, how much would body weigh half way down to the centre of earth
if it weighed 250 N on the surface?

To calculate the weight of the body down the centre of earth we have to
calculate. The acceleration due to gravity at depth h from earths surface
which is given by
h
g = g 1
Re
Solution Weight of the body at earths surface
w = mg = 250 N (i)
Acceleration due to gravity at depth h from earths surface
h
g = g 1
Re
Here, h = Re / 2
R / 2
g = g 1 e
Re
1
= g 1
2
g
g =
2
Weight of the body at depth h
mg
w = mg =
2
Using Eq. (i), we get
250
w =
2
= 125 N
Weight of the body will be 125 N
Question 17. A rocket is fired vertically with a speed of 5 km/s from the
earths surface. How far from the earth does the rocket go before
returning to the earth?
Mass of the earth = 6.0 10 24 kg, mean radius of earth = 6.4 10 6 m,
G = 6.67 10 11 N-m 2 /kg 2 .
Solution Let a rocket of mass m be fired vertically with a speed v and it
reach at height h from earths surface.
1
KE of the rocket = mv 2
2
PE of the rocket at earths surface
GM em
(U0) =
Re
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PE of the rocket at height h from earths surface

GM em
Uh =
(R e + h)
Increase in PE (U) = Uh U0
GM em GM em
U =
(R e + h) Re
1 1
= GM em
R e (R e + h)
R + h R e
= GM em e
R e(R e + h)
h
= GM em
R e(R e + h)
But GM e = gR e2
h
U = gR e2 m
R e(R e + h)
mgh
=
R e(R e + h)
R e2
mgh
=
h
1 +
Re
According to law of conservation of energy,
KE of the rocket = Increase in PE
1 mgh
mv 2 =
2 h
1 +
Re
h
v 2 1 + = 2gh
Re
v 2h
v2 + = 2gh
Re
or v 2R e + v 2h = 2ghR e
v 2R e = h(2gR e v 2)
v 2R e
or h=
2gR e v 2
Here, speed of the rocket v = 5 km/s = 5 103 m/s
Mass of the earth M e = 6.0 1024 kg
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 245

Radius of the earth R e = 6.4 106 m,

Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.8 m/s 2
(5 103)2 6.4 106
h=
(2 9.8 6.4 106) (5 103)2
25 6.4 1012
=
9.8 12.8 106 25 106
= 16
. 106 m
= 1600 103 m = 1600 km
Distance from the centre of the earth r = R e + h
= 6.4 106 + 16
. 106
= 8.0 106 m

Question 18. The escape speed of a projectile on earths surface is

11.2 km/s. A body is projected out with thrice this speed. What is the speed
of the body far away from the earth? Ignore the presence of sun and other
planets.
Solution Given, escape speed on earths surface (v e) = 11.2 km/s
Speed of projection of the body (v) = 3v e
= 3 11.2 = 33.6 km/h
Let v and v be the speed of the body at the time of projection and at a
point very far away from earth.
The mass of the body be m.
1
Initial KE of the body = mv 2
2
GM em
Initial gravitational PE of the body =
Re
where, M e and R e are the mass and radius of the earth.
At very far away from earths surface,
1
KE of the body = mv 2
2
Gravitational PE of the body = 0
According to law of conservation of energy,
Total energy at the point of projection
= Total energy at very far away from earths surface
1 GM e m 1
mv 2 + = mv + 0
2
2 Re 2
1 1 GM em
or mv 2 = mv 2 (i)
2 2 Re
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If v e is the escape velocity, then

1 GM em
mv e2 = (ii)
2 Re
Substituting value from Eq. (ii) in Eq. (i), we get
1 1 1
mv 2 = mv 2 mv e2
2 2 2
or v 2 = v 2 v e2
= (3v e)2 v e2 (Q v = 3v e)
= 8v e2
or v = 2 2v e
= 2 1414
. 112
. km/s
= 3168
. km/s
Speed of the body at far away from the earth
= 3168
. km/s
Question 19. A satellite orbits the earth at a height of 400 km above the
surface. How much energy must be expended to rocket the satellite out of
the earths gravitational influence? Mass of the satellite = 200 kg, mass of
the earth = 6.0 10 24 kg, radius of the earth = 6.4 10 6 m,
G = 6. 67 10 11 N-m 2 /kg 2 .
Solution Given, height of the satellite above the earths surface
(h) = 400 km = 0.4 106 m
Mass of the satellite (m) = 200 kg
Radius of earth (R e) = 6.4 106m
Mass of earth (M e) = 6.0 1024 kg
Gravitational constant (G) = 6.67 1011 N-m 2/kg 2
Energy required to send a satellite out of earths gravitational influence is
called its binding energy.
GM em
Binding energy of a satellite =
2(R e + h)
6.67 1011 6.0 1024 200
=
2(6.4 106 + 0.4 106)
6.67 12 1015
=
2 6.8 106
= 5.885 109 J
= 5.9 109 J
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 247

Question 20. Two stars each of 1 solar mass (= 2 10 30 kg) are

approaching each other for a head on collision. When they are at a
distance 10 9 km, their speeds are negligible. What is the speed with which
they collide? The radius of each star is 10 4 km. Assume the stars to
remain undistorted until they collide. (Use the known value of G).
Solution Mass of each star (m) = 2 1030 kg
Initial distance between them (r1) = 109 km = 1012 m
Radius of each star (R) = 104 km = 107 m
Initial speed of each star when they are very far away (v1) = 0
Initial KE of star = 0
Gmm Gm2
Initial PE of the star = =
r r
Let stars collide with each other with a speed v.

R R

r'
Distance between the stars when they collide with each other
r = 2R
1 1
KE of the stars = mv + mv 2
2
2 2
= mv 2
Gmm Gm2
PE of the stars = =
r 2R
According to law of conservation of energy
Total initial energy of stars = Final energy of stars
Gm2 Gm2
0 + = mv 2 +
r 2R
1 1
or mv 2 = Gm2
2R r
1 1
v 2 = Gm
2R r
1 1
= 6.67 1011 2 1030 12
2 10
7
10
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= 13.34 1019[5 108 1012]

= 13.34 1019 4.999 108
= 6.6699 1012
or v = 6.6699 1012
= 2.583 106 m/s
v = 2.6 106 m/s

Question 21. Two heavy spheres each of mass 100 kg and radius 0.10 m
are placed 1.0 m apart on a horizontal table. What is the gravitational
force and potential at the mid-point of the line joining the centres of the
spheres? Is an object placed at that point in equilibrium? If so, is the
equilibrium stable or unstable?
Solution Given, mass of each sphere m = 100 kg
Radius of each sphere R = 0.10 m
Distance between the spheres r = 10. m
m
R FA FB R m
o
A m' B

1 1
m m
2 2
Distance of mid-point from each sphere
r 1
d= = m
2 2
Let an object of very small mass m be placed at mid-point O of AB.
Force acting on m due to sphere A
Gmm
FA = , along OA
d2
Force acting on m due to sphere B
Gmm
FB = , along OB
d2
Net force on m at point O
F = FA + FB
Gmm Gmm
= +
d2 d2
F =0
Gravitational force at mid-point O is zero.
Gravitational potential at mid-point O, due to sphere A
Gm
VA =
d
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 249

Similarly, gravitational potential at mid-point O, due to sphere B

Gm
VB =
d
Resultant gravitational potential at mid-point O
V = VA + VB
Gm Gm
= +
d d
GM
= 2
d
2 6.67 1011 100
=
1/2
= 26.68 109
= 2.7 108 J/kg
As gravitational potential is not zero at the mid-point therefore, the
equilibrium is unstable.
Question 22. As you have learnt in the text, a geostationary satellite
orbits the earth at a height of nearly 36000 km from the surface of the
earth. What is the potential due to earths gravity at the site of this
satellite? (Take the potential energy at infinite to be zero.) Mass of earth
= 6. 0 10 24 kg, radius = 6400 km.
Solution Given, radius of earth R e = 6400 km
Mass of earth M e = 6.0 1024 kg
Height of geostationary satellite h = 36000 km
GM e
Gravitational potential V=
(R e + h)
6.67 1011 6.0 1024
=
(6400 + 36000) 103
40.02 1013
=
42400 103
40.02
= 106
4.24
= 9.43 106 J/kg

Question 23. A star 2.5 times the mass of the sun and collapsed to a size
of 12 km rotates with a speed of 1.2 rev/s. (Extremely compact stars of
this kind are known as neutron stars. Certain observed stellar objects
called pulsars are believed to belong to this category). Will an object
placed on its equator remain stuck to its surface due to gravity? (Mass of
the sun = 2 10 30 kg).
250 www.arihantbooks.com

Solution If the gravitational force acting on an object is equal or

greater than the centripetal force required for the orbital motion, then it
will remain stuck to the surface of the star due to gravity because in this
condition the centrifugal force (acting away from the centre of rotation)
is less than the gravitational force, so the object will not be able to fly
off. i.e.,
mv 2
mg
r
v2
or g
r
Given, mass of the star M = 2.5 2 1030 kg
= 5.0 1030 kg
Radius R = 12 km = 12 103 m
GM
Acceleration due to gravity g =
R2
6.67 1011 5.0 1030
=
(12 103)2
= 0.2316 1013 m/s 2
= 2.3 1012 m/s 2
v 2 (r)2
Now, centripetal acceleration = (Q v = r)
r r
= r 2 = r(2n)2 (Q = 2n)
= 12 10 (2 3.14 12)
3 2

= (12 103 4 9.87 144)

= 1065.95 103
= 11
. 106 m/s 2
v2
As g > , therefore the object will remain stuck to the star.
r
Question 24. A spaceship is stationed on mars. How much energy must
be expended on the spaceship to rocket it out of the solar system? Mass of
the spaceship = 1000 kg; mass of sun = 2 10 30 kg; mass of mars
= 6.4 10 23 kg; radius of mars = 3395 km; radius of orbit of mars
= 2. 28 10 8 km, G = 6.67 10 11 N-m 2 /kg 2 .
Solution Mass of spaceship m = 1000 kg
Mass of sun M s = 2 1030 kg
Mass of mars M m = 6.4 1023 kg
Radius of mars R m = 3395 km = 3.395 106 m
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 251

Radius of orbit of mars (r) = 2.28 108 km = 2.28 1011 m

G = 6.67 1011 N-m 2/kg 2
Spaceship is present in gravitational field of the sun as well as in the
gravitational field of the mars.

Spaceship
Sun r Mars

Potential energy of the spaceship due to gravitational field of the sun

GM sm
=
r
Potential energy of the spaceship due to the gravitational field of the mars
GM m m
=
Rm
GM sm GM m m
Total potential energy of the spaceship = +
r Rm
M M
= Gm s + m
r Rm
Potential energy of the spaceship out side the solar system = 0
Energy imparted to the spaceship required just rockets out of the solar
M M
system = 0 Gm s + m
r Rm
M M
= + Gm s + m
r Rm
2 1030 6.4 1023
= 6.67 1011 1000 +
2.28 10 3.395 106
11

2 1019 6.4 1013

= 6.67 108 +
2.28 3.395
3.1 1011 J

Question 25. A rocket is fired vertically from the surface of mars with a
speed of 2 km/s. If 20% of its initial energy is lost due to martian
atmospheric resistance, how far will the rocket go from the surface of
mars before returning to it? Mass of mars = 6.4 10 23 kg, radius of mars
= 3395 km, G = 6.67 10 11 N-m 2 /kg 2 .
252 www.arihantbooks.com

Solution Given, speed of the rocket = 2 km/s = 2 103 m/s

Mass of mars M m = 6.4 1023 kg
Radius of mars R m = 3395 km = 3.395 106 m
G = 6.67 1011 N-m 2/kg 2
1
Initial KE of the rocket = mv 2
2
As 20% of KE is lost due to martian atmospheric resistance.
1 80 2
Total KE available = mv 2 = mv 2
2 100 5
Let the rocket be reach at height h from the surface of the mars.
GM m m GM m m
Increase in PE =
(R m + h) Rm
1 1
= GM m m
m
R (R m + h)
R + h R m
= GM m m m
R m (R m + h)
h
= GM m m
R m (R m + h)
But according to law of conservation of energy,
Increase in PE = Total available KE
h 2
GM m m = mv 2
R m (R m + h) 5
R m + h 5 GM m
or =
h 2 Rmv 2
Rm 5 GM m
+ 1=
h 2 Rmv 2
R m 5GM m
= 1
h 2R m v 2
5 6.67 1011 6.4 1023
= 1
2 3.395 106 ( 2 103)2
5 6.67 6.4
= 1
2 3.395 4
213.44
= 1
2716
.
= 7.85862 1
= 6.85862
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 253

Rm 3395
or h= = km
6.85862 6.85862
= 494.99 km
495 km

Selected NCERT Exemplar Problems

Very Short Answer Type
Question 1. Molecules in air in the atmosphere are attracted by
gravitational force of the earth. Explain why all of them do not fall into
the earth just like an apple falling from a tree.
Solution Air molecules in the atmosphere are attracted vertically
downward by gravitational force of the earth just like an apple falling
from a tree. Air molecules moves randomly due to their thermal velocity
and hence the resultant motion of air molecules is not exactly in the
vertical downward direction. But due to gravity, the density of
atmosphere increases near to earths surface.
Question 2. Give one example each of central force and non-central
force.
Solution Example of central force Gravitational force, electrostatic
force etc.
Example of non-central force Nuclear force, magnetic forces acting
between two current carrying loops.
Question 3. Draw areal velocity versus time graph for mars.
Solution Areal velocity of a planet revolving around the sun is
constant with time. Therefore, graph between areal velocity and time is
a straight line (AB) parallel to time axis.

A B
Areal
velocity

O
Time

Question 4. What is the direction of areal velocity of the earth around

the sun?
Solution Areal velocity of the earth around the sun is given by
dA L
=
dt 2m
254 www.arihantbooks.com

where, L is the angular momentum and m is the mass of the earth.

But angular momentum L = r p
= r mv
dA 1
Areal velocity = (r mv)
dt 2m
1
= (r v)
2
dA
Therefore, the direction of areal velocity is in the direction of
dt
(r v), i.e., perpendicular to the plane containing r and v and directed as
given by right hand rule.
Question 5. How is the gravitational force between two point masses
affected when they are dipped in water keeping the separation between
them the same?
Solution Gravitational force acting between two point masses
Gm1m2
F= , is independent of the nature of medium between them.
r2
Therefore, gravitational force acting between two point masses will
remain unaffected when they are dipped in water.
Question 6. Is it possible for a body to have inertia but no weight?
Solution Yes, a body can have inertia (i.e., mass) but no weight.
Everybody always have inertia (i.e., mass) but its weight (mg) can be
zero, when it is taken at the centre of the earth or during free fall under
gravity.
Question 7. Out of aphelion and perihelion, where is the speed of the
earth more and why?
Solution Aphelion is the location of the earth where it is at the greatest
distance from the sun and perihelion is the location of the earth where it
is at the nearest distance from the sun.
vA

P A
Sun

vP
vP > vA

The areal velocity of the earth around the sun is constant, therefore
the speed of the earth is more at the perihelion that at the aphelion.
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 255

Question 8. What is the angle between the equatorial plane and the
orbital plane of
(a) polar satellite?
(b) geostationary satellite?
Solution
(a) Angle between the equatorial plane and orbital plane of a polar
satellite is 90.
(b) Angle between equatorial plane and orbital plane of a
geostationary satellite is 0.

Short Answer Type

Question 9. Two identical heavy spheres are separated by distance
10 times their radius. Will an object placed at the mid-point of the line
joining their centres be in stable equilibrium or unstable equilibrium?
Give reason for your answer.
Solution Let the mass and radius of each identical heavy sphere be M
and R respectively. An object of mass m be placed at the mid-point of
the line joining their centres.

R F1 F2 R
M P M
A B

5R 5R
Force acting on the object placed at the mid-point,
GMm
F1 = F2 =
(5R)2
The direction of forces are opposite, therefore net force acting on object
is zero.
To check the stability of the equilibrium, we displace the object through
a small distance x towards sphere A.
Now, force acting towards sphere A
GMm
F1 =
(5R x)2
Force acting towards sphere B
GMm
F2 =
(5R + x)2
As F1 > F2 , therefore a resultant force (F1 F2 ) acts on the object sphere A,
therefore object start to move towards sphere A and hence equilibrium
is unstable.
Question 10. Show the nature of the following graph for a satellite
orbiting the earth.
(a) KE vs orbital radius R (b) PE vs orbital radius R
(c) TE vs orbital radius R
256 www.arihantbooks.com

Solution Orbital speed of a satellite orbiting the earth in given by

GM
vo =
R
where, M and R are the mass and radius of the earth.
(a) KE of a satellite of mass m,
1 1 GM
Ek = mv o2 = m
2 2 R
1
Ek
R
If means the KE decreases exponentially with radius.

EK

The graph for KE vs orbital radius R is shown in figure.

(b) Potential energy of a satellite
GMm
EP =
R
1
EP
R

EP

The graph for PE vs orbital radius R is shown in figure.

(c) Total energy of the satellite

E = Ek + Ep
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 257

GMm GMm
=
2R R
GMm
=
2R
The graph for total energy vs orbtial radius R is shown in figure.
Question 11. An object of mass m is raised from the surface of the earth
to a height equal to the radius of the earth, that is, taken from a distance R
to 2R from the centre of the earth. What is the gain in its potential energy?
Solution Potential energy of the object at the surface of the earth
GM em
=
R
PE of the object at a height equal to the radius of the earth
GMm
=
2R
GMm GMm
Gain in PE of the object =
2R R
GMm
=+
2R
gR 2 m
= (QGM = gR 2)
2R
1
= mgR
2
Question 12. A mass m is placed at P at a distance h along the normal
through the centre O of a thin circular ring of mass M and radius r as
shown in figure.

P
O h m

If the mass is removed further away such that OP becomes 2h, by what
factor, the force of gravitation will decrease, if h = r ?
Solution Gravitational force acting on an object of mass m, placed at
point P at a distance h along the normal through the centre of a circular
ring of mass M and radius r is given by
258 www.arihantbooks.com

m
O h

GMmh
F=
(r 2 + h 2)3/ 2
When mass is displaced upto distance 2h, then
GMm 2h
F = 2
[r + (2h)2]3/ 2
2GMmh
=
(r + 4h 2)3/ 2
2

When h = r, then
GMm r
F=
(r 2 r 2)3/ 2
GMm
=
2 2r 2
2GMmr 2GMm
and F = 2 =
(r + 4r 2)3/ 2 5 5r 2
F 4 2
=
F 5 5
4 2
or F = F
5 5

Long Answer Type

Question 13. A star like the sun has several bodies moving around it at
different distances. Consider that all of them are moving in circular orbits.
Let r be the distance of the body from the centre of the star and let its
linear velocity be v, angular velocity , kinetic energy K , gravitational
potential energy U, total energy E and angular momentum L. As the
radius r of the orbit increases, determine which of the above quantities
increase and which ones decrease.
Solution Linear velocity of a body orbiting a star of mass M is given by
GM 1
v= v
r r
Therefore, when r increases, v decreases.
 NCERT Class XI Physics Solutions 259

Angular velocity of the body

2
=
T
According to Keplers law of period,
T2 r3
or T = kr 3/ 2
2 1 2
= 3/ 2 3/ 2 Q =
kr r T
Therefore, when r increases, decreases.
Kinetic energy of the body
1 1 GM GMm
K = mv 2 = m =
2 2 r 2r
1
K
r
Therefore, when r increases, KE decreases.
Gravitational potential energy of the body,
GMm 1
U= U
r r
Therefore, when r increases, PE becomes less negative i. e., increases.
Total energy of the body
E = KE + PE
GMm GMm
= +
2r r
GMm
=
2r
Therefore, when r increases, total energy becomes less negative, i.e.,
increases.
Angular momentum of the body
GM
L = mvr = mr
r
= m GMr
L r
Therefore, when r increases, angular momentum L increases.
Question 14. A satellite is to be placed in equatorial geostationary orbit
around the earth for communication.
(a) Calculate height of such a satellite.
(b) Find out the minimum number of satellites that are needed to cover
entire earth so that atleast one satellite is visible from any point on
the equator.
[M = 6 1024 kg, R = 6400 km, T = 24 h, G = 6.67 1011 SI units]
Solution Given, mass of earth M = 6 1024 kg
Radius of earth R = 6400 km = 6.4 106 m
260 www.arihantbooks.com

Time period T = 24 h
= 24 60 60 s
G = 6.67 1011 N-m2/kg 2
(R + h)3
(a) Time period T = 2
GM
(R + h)3
or T 2 = 4 2
GM
T 2GM
or (R + h)3 =
4 2
1/ 3
T 2GM
or R+h=
4 2
1/ 3
T 2GM
or h= R
4 2
1/ 3
(24 60 60)2 6.67 1011 6 1024
= 6.4 106
4 (3.14)2
= 4.23 107 6.4 106
= (42.3 6.4) 106
= 35.9 106 m
= 3.59 107 m
(b) If satellite is at height h from earths surface then, according to the
diagram
R 1 1
cos = = =
R+h h 3.5 9 107
1 + 1 +
R 6.4 106
1 1
= = = 0.1513 = cos 8118
1 + 5.61 6.61
= 8181
2 = 2 (81 18 ) = 162 36
If n is the number of satellites needed to cover entire earth, then
360 360
n= = = 2.31
2 16236
Minimum 3 satellites are required to cover entire earth.