You are on page 1of 25

1 GRAVITATION

We always observe that an object dropped from a


height falls towards the earth. We know that all the
planets go around the Sun. The moon goes around the
earth. In all these cases, there must be some force acting
on the objects, the planets and on the moon. Isaac
Newton could grasp that the same force is responsible
for all these. This force is called the gravitational force.
Gravitation
We know that the moon goes around the earth. n
object when thrown upwards, reaches a certain height
and then falls downwards. It is said that when Newton
was sitting under a tree, an apple fell on him. The fall of
the apple made Newton start thinking. !e thought that"
if the earth can attract an apple, can it not attract the
moon# Is the force the same in both cases# !e
conjectured that the same type of force is responsible in
both the cases. !e argued that at each point of its orbit,
the moon falls towards the earth, instead of going off in
a straight line. So, it must be attracted by the earth. $ut
we do not really see the moon falling towards the earth.
Take a piece of thread. Tie a small stone at one end.
!old the other end of the thread and whirl it round, as
shown in %ig. &. 'ou will note the motion of the stone
that the stone moves in a circular path with a certain
speed and changes direction at every point. The change
in direction involves change in velocity or acceleration.
The force that causes this acceleration and keeps the
body moving along the circular path is acting towards
the centre. This force is called the centripetal (meaning
)centre*seeking+, force. -elease the thread. gain, you
will note the direction of motion of the stone that in the
absence of this force, the stone flies off along a straight
line. This straight line will be a tangent to the circular
path.
The motion of the moon around the earth is due to the
centripetal force. The centripetal force is provided by
the force of attraction of the earth. If there were no such
force, the moon would pursue a
uniform straight line motion. It is seen that a falling
apple is attracted towards the earth.
ccording to the third law of motion, the apple does
attract the earth. $ut according to the second law of
motion, for a given force, acceleration is inversely
proportional to the mass of an object ./0. (1,2. The
mass of an apple is negligibly small compared to that of
the earth. So, we do not see the earth moving towards
the apple. Similarly in our solar system, all the planets
go around the Sun. $y arguing the same way, we can
say that there e3ists a force between the Sun and the
planets. %rom the above facts Newton concluded that
not only does the earth attract an apple and the moon,
but all objects in the universe attract each other. This
force of attraction between objects is called the
gravitational force.
Universal Law of Gravitation
/very object in the universe attracts every other object
with a force which is proportional to the product of
their masses and inversely proportional to the s0uare of
the distance between them. The force is along the line
joining the centres of two objects.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 1
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

4et two objects and $ of masses 5 and m lie at a
distance d from each other as shown in %ig. 6. 4et the
force of attraction between two objects be %. ccording
to the universal law of gravitation, the force between
two objects is directly proportional to the product of
their masses. That is,
nd the force between two objects is inversely
proportional to the s0uare of the distance between them,
that is,
7ombining /0s. (&, and (6,, we get
Where 8 is the constant of proportionality and is called
the universal gravitation constant. $y multiplying
crosswise, /0. (1, gives
% 9 d
6
: 8 5 9 m
The SI unit of 8 can be obtained by substituting the
units of force, distance and mass in /0. (;, as N m
6
kg
*6
.
The value of 8 was found out by !enry 7avendish
(&<=& > &?&@, by using a sensitive balance. The
accepted value of 8 is A.A<= 9 &@>&& N m
6
kg
*6
.
We know that there e3ists a force of attraction between
any two objects. 7ompute the value of this force
between you and your friend sitting closeby. 7onclude
how you do not e3perience this forceB
Importance of the Universal Law of Gravitation
The universal law of gravitation successfully e3plained
several phenomena which were believed to be
unconnected"
i. the force that binds us to the earthC
ii. the motion of the moon around the earthC
iii. the motion of planets around the SunC and
iv. the tides due to the moon and the Sun.
Free Fall
/arth attracts objects towards it. This is due to the
gravitational force. Whenever objects fall towards
the earth under this force alone, we say that the
objects are in free fall. While falling, there is no
change in the direction of motion of the objects.
$ut due to the earth+s attraction, there will be a
change in the magnitude of the velocity. ny
change in velocity involves acceleration. Whenever
an object falls towards the earth, an acceleration is
involved. This acceleration is due to the earth+s
gravitational force. Therefore, this acceleration is
called the acceleration due to the gravitational force
of the earth (or acceleration due to gravity,. It is
denoted by g. The unit of g is the same as that of
acceleration, that is, m s
*6
.
We know from the second law of motion that force
is the product of mass and acceleration. 4et the
mass of the stone in activity &@.6 be m. We already
know that there is acceleration involved in falling
objects due to the gravitational force and is denoted
by g. Therefore the magnitude of the gravitational
force % will be e0ual to the product of mass and
acceleration due to the gravitational force, that is,
%rom /0s. (1, and (A, we have
Where M is the mass of the earth, and d is the
distance between the object and the earth. 4et an
object be on or near the surface of the earth. The
distance d in /0. (<, will be e0ual to R, the radius
of the earth. Thus, for objects on or near the surface
of the earth,
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 2
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

The earth is not a perfect sphere. s the radius of
the earth increases from the poles to the e0uator, the
value of g becomes greater at the poles than at the
e0uator. %or most calculations, we can take g to be
more or less constant on or near the earth. $ut for
objects far from the earth, the acceleration due to
gravitational force of earth is given by /0. (<,.
To Calculate the Value of g
To calculate the value of g, we should put the
values of 8, 5 and - in /0. (D,, namely, universal
gravitational constant, 8 : A.< 9 &@
>&&
N m
6
kg
*6
,
mass of the earth, 5 : A 9 &@
61
kg, and radius of the
earth, - : A.1 9 &@
A
m.
Thus, the value of acceleration due to gravity of the
earth, g : D.? m s
>6
.
Motion of Objects Uner the Influence of
Gravitational Force of the !arth
We know that an object e3periences acceleration
during free fall. %rom /0. (D,, this acceleration
e3perienced by an object is independent of its mass.
This means that all objects hollow or solid, big or
small, should fall at the same rate. ccording to a
story, 8alileo dropped different objects from the
top of the 4eaning Tower of Eisa in Italy to prove
the same.
s g is constant near the earth, all the e0uations for
the uniformly accelerated motion of objects become
valid with acceleration a replaced by g. The
e0uations are"
Where u and v are the initial and final velocities
and s is the distance covered in time, t.
In applying these e0uations, we will take
acceleration, a to be positive when it is in the
direction of the velocity, that is, in the direction of
motion. The acceleration, a will be taken as
negative when it opposes the motion.
Mass
The mass of an object is the measure of its inertia.
nd greater the mass, the greater is the inertia. It
remains the same whether the object is on the earth,
the moon or even in outer space. Thus, the mass of
an object is constant and does not change from
place to place
"eight
The earth attracts every object with a certain force
and this force depends on the mass (m, of the
object and the acceleration due to the gravity (g,.
The weight of an object is the force with which it is
attracted towards the earth.
We know that
That is
The force of attraction of the earth on an object is
known as the weight of the object. It is denoted by
W. Substituting the same in /0. (&1,, we have
s the weight of an object is the force with which it
is attracted towards the earth, the SI unit of weight
is the same as that of force, that is, newton (N,. The
weight is a force acting vertically downwardsC it
has both magnitude and direction.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 3
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

The value of g is constant at a given place.
Therefore at a given place, the weight of an object
is directly proportional to the mass, say m, of the
object, that is, W m. It is due to this reason that at
a given place, we can use the weight of an object as
a measure of its mass. The mass of an object
remains the same everywhere, that is, on the earth
and on any planet whereas its weight depends on its
location.
"eight of an Object on the Moon
We have learnt that the weight of an object on the
earth is the force with which the earth attracts the
object. In the same way, the weight of an object on
the moon is the force with which the moon attracts
that object. The mass of the moon is less than that
of the earth. Fue to this the moon e3erts lesser
force of attraction on objects.
4et the mass of an object be m. 4et its weight on
the moon be Wm. 4et the mass of the moon be Mm
and its radius be Rm. $y applying the universal law
of gravitation, the weight of the object on the moon
will be
4et the weight of the same object on the earth be
We. The mass of the earth is M and its radius is R.
%rom /0s. (D, and (&;, we have,
Substituting the values from Table in /0s. (&A, and
(&<,, we get
Fividing /0. (&?a, by /0. (&?b,, we get
Thrust an #ressure
!ave you ever wondered why a camel can run in a
desert easily# Why an army tank weighing more than a
thousand tonne rests upon a continuous chain# Why a
truck or a motorbus has much wider tyres# Why cutting
tools have sharp edges# In order to address these
0uestions and understand the phenomena involved, it
helps to introduce the concepts of the net force in a
particular direction (thrust, and the force per unit area
(pressure, acting on the object concerned. 4et us try to
understand the meanings of thrust and pressure by
considering the following situations"
$ituation %& 'ou wish to fi3 a poster on a bulletin
board, as shown in %ig =. To do this task you will have
to press drawing pins with your thumb. 'ou apply a
force on the surface area of the head of the pin. This
force is directed perpendicular to the surface area of the
board. This force acts on a smaller area at the tip of the
pin.
$ituation '& 'ou stand on loose sand. 'our feet go deep
into the sand. Now, lie down on the sand. 'ou will find
that your body will not go that deep in the sand. In both
cases the force e3erted on the sand is the weight of your
body.
'ou have learnt that weight is the force acting vertically
downwards. !ere the force is acting perpendicular to
the surface of the sand. The force acting on an object
perpendicular to the surface is called thrust. When you
stand on loose sand, the force, that is, the weight of
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 4
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

your body is acting on an area e0ual to area of your
feet. When you lie down, the same force acts on an area
e0ual to the contact area of your whole body, which is
larger than the area of your feet. Thus, the effects of
forces of the same magnitude on different areas are
different. In the above cases, thrust is the same. $ut
effects are different. Therefore the effect of thrust
depends on the area on which it acts. The effect of
thrust on sand is larger while standing than while lying.
The thrust on unit area is called pressure. Thus,
Substituting the SI unit of thrust and area in /0. (6@,,
we get the SI unit of pressure as NGm
6
or N m
>6
.
In honour of scientist $laise Eascal, the SI unit of
pressure is called pascal, denoted as Ea.
#ressure in Fluis
ll li0uids and gases are fluids. solid e3erts pressure
on a surface due to its weight.
Similarly, fluids have weight, and they also e3ert
pressure on the base and walls of the container in which
they are enclosed. Eressure e3erted in any confined
mass of fluid is transmitted undiminished in all
directions.
(uo)anc)
Take an empty plastic bottle. 7lose the mouth of the
bottle with an airtight stopper. Eut it in a bucket filled
with water. 'ou see that the bottle floats. Eush the bottle
into the water. 'ou feel an upward push. Try to push it
further down. 'ou will find it difficult to push deeper
and deeper. This indicates that water e3erts a force on
the bottle in the upward direction. The upward force
e3erted by the water goes on increasing as the bottle is
pushed deeper till it is completely immersed. Now,
release the bottle. It bounces back to the surface.
The force due to the gravitational attraction of the earth
acts on the bottle in the downward direction. So the
bottle is pulled downwards. $ut the water e3erts an
upward force on the bottle. Thus, the bottle is pushed
upwards. We have learnt that weight of an object is the
force due to gravitational attraction of the earth. When
the bottle is immersed, the upward force e3erted by the
water on the bottle is greater than its weight. Therefore
it rises up when released. To keep the bottle completely
immersed, the upward force on the bottle due to water
must be balanced. This can be achieved by an
e3ternally applied force acting downwards. This force
must at least be e0ual to the difference between the
upward force and the weight of the bottle.
The upward force e3erted by the water on the bottle is
known as upthrust or buoyant force. In fact, all objects
e3perience a force of buoyancy when they are
immersed in a fluid. The magnitude of this buoyant
force depends on the density of the fluid.
"h) Objects Float or $in* "hen #lace on the
$urface of "ater
We place piece of cork and an iron nail of e0ual mass
on the surface of the water. The cork floats while the
nail sinks. This happens because of the difference in
their densities. The density of a substance is defined as
the mass per unit volume. The density of cork is less
than the density of water. This means that the upthrust
of water on the cork is greater than the weight of the
cork. So it floats (%ig. ;,. The density of an iron nail is
more than the density of water. This means that the
upthrust of water on the iron nail is less than the weight
of the nail. So it sinks.
Therefore objects of density less than that of a li0uid
float on the li0uid. The objects of density greater than
that of a li0uid sink in the li0uid.
+rchimees, #rinciple
rchimedes+ principle, stated as follows"
When a body is immersed fully or partially in a fluid, it
experiences an upward force that is equal to the weight
of the fluid displaced by it.
rchimedes+ principle has many applications. It is used
in designing ships and submarines. 4actometers, which
are used to determine the purity of a sample of milk and
hydrometers used for determining density of li0uids,
are based on this principle
-elative .ensit)
s you know, the density of a substance is defined as
mass of a unit volume. The unit of density is kilogram
per metre cube (kg m
>=
,. The density of a given
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 5
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

substance, under specified conditions, remains the
same. Therefore the density of a substance is one of its
characteristic properties. It is different for different
substances. %or e3ample, the density of gold is &D=@@
kg m
*=
while that of water is &@@@ kg m
*=
. The density of
a given sample of a substance can help us to determine
its purity.
It is often convenient to e3press density of a substance
in comparison with that of water. The relative density of
a substance is the ratio of its density to that of water"
Since the relative density is a ratio of similar 0uantities,
it has no unit
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 6
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Gravitation
/arth attracts everything towards it by an unseen
force of attraction. This force of attraction is
known as gravitation or gravitation pull.
Universal Law of Gravitation
/very object in the universe attracts other object by
a force of attraction, called gravitation, which is
directly proportional to the product of masses of
the objects and inversely proportional to the s0uare
of distance between them. This is called 4aw of
8ravitation or Hniversal 4aw of 8ravitation.
The distance is considered between the centres of
the objects.
Suppose there are two objects having mass 5 and
m respectively.
The distance between their centres is e0ual to d.
The force of attraction is %.
Therefore, from 4aw of 8ravitation which states
that force of attraction by which an object attracts
other object is directly proportional to the product
of their masses,
Now, 4aw of 8ravitation also states that force of
attraction by which an object attracts other object
is inversely proportional to the s0uare of distance
between them.
Now from e0uation (i, and (ii, we get
Where, 8 is the proportionality constant and called
Hniversal 8ravitation 7onstant.
%rom e0uation (iii,
The e3pression (iii, and (iv, are called e3pression
for Hniversal 4aw of 8ravitation.
This 4aw is applicable everywhere in universe,
thus it is known as HNII/-S4 4W J%
8-IITIJN.
SI Hnit of 8
The value of 8 was found out by !enry
7avendish, a $ritish philosopher and scientist.
Importance of Hniversal 4aw of 8ravitation >
This 4aw is applicable to every object in the
universe.
This law e3plains the cause of revolution of moon
around earth and revolution of planets around sun.
This law e3plains the cause of neap and tide due to
moon and sun.
Free Fall
When an object falls from any height under the
influence of gravitational force only, it is known as
free fall. In the case of free fall no change of
direction takes place but the magnitude of velocity
changes because of acceleration.
This acceleration acts because of the force of
gravitation and is denoted by )g+. This is called
acceleration due to gravity.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 7
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

/3pression for acceleration due to gravitation
)g+.
4et mass of the object put under free fall : m.
nd acceleration due to gravity : g.
Therefore, according to Newton+s Second 4aw of
5otion which states that %orce is the product of
mass and acceleration,
% : m 3 g *****************(i,
Now, according to Hniversal 4aw of gravitation,
Thus, from above two e3pressions, we get
Where, g is acceleration due to gravity,
8 is the Hniversal 8ravitational 7onstant.
5 is the mass of earth.
nd d is the distance between object and centre of
earth.
When object is near the surface of earth
When an object is near the surface of earth, the
distance between object and centre of the earth will
be e0ual to the radius of earth because the distance
of object is negligible in comparison of the radius
of earth.
4et the radius of earth is e0ual to -.
Therefore, after substituting )-+ at the place of )d+
we get,
Since, earth is not a perfect sphere rather it has
obli0ue shape. Therefore, radius at the e0uator is
greater than at the poles.
Since, value of )g+ is reciprocal of the s0uare of
radius of earth, thus, the value of )g+ will be greater
at the poles and less at the e0uator.
nd the value of )g+ will decrease with increase of
distance of object from earth.
Calculation of value of g
Therefore, after substituting the value of 8, 5 and
- in the e3pression for )g+ we get.
5otion of an object under the influence of
gravitational force of earth
The e3pression for )g+ is written as
Since, the value of )g+ does not depend upon the
mass or distance of an object, therefore, all objects
fall over the earth with the same rate.
The e0uations for motion are as follows"
Therefore, the e0uations of motion are also applied
to calculate the velocity, distance, etc by replacing
)a+ by )g+. fter substituting )g+ at the place of )a+
we get above e0uations as follows"
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 8
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

In the calculationC initial velocity (u,, final velocity
(v,, time taken (t,, or distance covered (s,, the
value of )g+ is taken as positive in the case of
object moving towards earth and taken as negative
in the case of object is thrown in opposite direction
of earth.
Mass
5ass is the measurement of inertia and inertia is
the property of any object which opposes the
change in state of the object. It is inertia because of
which an object in rest has tendency to remain in
rest and an object in motion has tendency to
remain in motion.
Inertia depends upon the mass of an object. Jbject
having greater mass has greater inertia and vice
versa. 5ass of an object remains constant
everywhere, i.e. mass will remain same whether
that object is at the moon, at the earth or anywhere
in the universe.
Weight"
/arth attracts every object towards it. We know
that force is the product of mass and acceleration
due to gravity.
This means, % : m K g ***********************(i,
The force by which earth attracts an object towards
it is called the weight of the object, which is the
product of mass (m, of the object and acceleration
due to gravity (g,.
Weight is denoted by )W+.
Therefore, by substituting in the e3pression )% :
mg+ we get,
W : m 3 g ******************************(ii,
Since weight is the force which is acting vertically
downwards, therefore, weight has both magnitude
and direction and hence it is a vector 0uantity.
Since the value of )g+ is always constant at a given
place,
Therefore, e3pression )W : m 3 g+ can be written
as follows"
W L m ********************(iii,
This means weight of any object is directly
proportional to its mass, i.e. weight will increase
with the increase of mass and decrease with
decrease in mass.
This is the cause that weight of any object is the
measure of its mass.
The unit of weight
Since, weight of an object is e0ual to the force by
which an object is attracted towards earth,
therefore, unit of weight is same as the unit of
force.
Therefore, Hnit of weight is )newton (N,+.
Weight of an Object on the Surface of
Moon
Since, weight of an object on the earth is the force
by which earth attracts that very object towards it.
In similar way, weight of an object on the surface
of moon or any other planet is the force by which
moon or any other planet will attract the object
towards it.
We know that,
The 5ass of /arth : ;.D? 3 &@
61
kg
-adius of earth : A.=< 3 &@
A
m
5ass of moon : <.=A 3 &@
66
kg
-adius of moon : &.<A 3 &@
A
m
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 9
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Since, mass of the moon is less than that of earth,
therefore, moon will e3ert less force of attraction
on any objectC in comparison to the earth.
4et mass of an object is )m+
The weight of the object on earth is We
The weight of the object on moon is Wm
5ass of the earth is 5
5ass of the moon is 5m
-adius of earth is -
-adius of moon is -m
cceleration due to gravity on earth is )g+
cceleration due to gravity on moon is )gm+.
Therefore,
Weight of the object on earth We : m 3 g
$y substituting the value of )g+ from the e3pression
of Hniversal 4aw of 8ravitation we get
Weight of the object on moon Wm : m 3 gm
$y the e3pression of universal law of gravitation,
Jr, Weight of an object on the moon : &GA of the
weight of the object on earth.
Thrust an #ressure
Thrust "* %orce e3erted by an object perpendicular
to the surface is called thrust.
Eressure "* %orce e3erted by any object per unit
area is called pressure.
Where, p is pressure, % is thrust or force and is
the surface area of the object.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 10
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Since, pressure is indirectly proportional to the
surface area of the object, thus, pressure increases
with decrease in surface area and decreases with
increase in surface area.
SI unit of Eressure
The unit of force is newton (N, and unit of area is
s0uare meter
Therefore, by substituting the unit of force and are
in e0uation (i, we get
In the honour of $laise Eascal, the SI unit of
pressure is known as pascal.
Jne pascal is e0ual to the & newton per s0uare
meter.
Jr, & pascal : N m
> 6
Thrust and pressure in everyday life
(a, Eressure e3erted by a brick * stretched brick
kept on the ground e3erts less pressure than a brick
kept on the ground in standing position. This
happens because the surface area of contact of
brick in stretched position is more in comparison to
the brick in standing position. nd we know that
pressure increases with decrease in surface area
and vice versa. Thus, in the case of stretched
position a brick e3erts less thrust over the ground
in comparison to the brick kept in standing
position.
(b, 7amel can run easily over the sand. The feet of
a camel are large. 4arger feet mean larger area
which results in low pressure. Fue to this cam can
easily walk on sand without sinking its feet.
(c, Tank easily can run over sand and mud.
7aterpillar tracksC surrounding the wheels provide
a larger surface area. Fue to this, a tank can move
on any terrain without sinking.
(d, Tractor has broader tyres * Tractors are made
mainly for agriculture purpose. $ecause of broader
tyres, a tractor e3erts less pressure over the ground
as pressure decreases with increase in surface area
or contact and hence easily runs over the muddy
field.
(e, Jne end of a nail is pointed > When a nail is
pushed in a wall or wood, it is pushed from pointed
side. $ecause of pointed shape, nail e3erts more
pressure over the wall or wood and is easily
pushed by hammering.
(f, The straps of school bag are broader > Since
larger surface area e3erts less pressure, therefore
school bags with broader straps e3ert less pressure
over the shoulder of a student while being slung
over the shoulder and a student feels it easy to
carry even a heavy bag with more books.
(g, Mnife with sharp edge cuts easily compare to
one with blunt edge > Mnife with sharp edge e3erts
more pressure because of less area in contact with
an object, such as vegetable and hence it cuts more
easily than a knife with blunt edge.
Pressure in Fluids
ny solid object e3erts pressure because of weight.
Similarly, since fluids also have weight, thus they
e3ert pressure.
8as and li0uid both are considered as fluids. %luids
e3ert pressure in all directions over the inner walls
of a container in which they are kept.
(uo)anc)
$uoyancy is the upward force e3erted by fluids
over the surface are of contact of an object which
is immersed in fluids. $uoyancy is also known as
upward thrust.
Why does an object sink or float over water
When an object is immersed in water, it e3erts
pressure over water due to its weight. t the same
time water also e3erts upward thrust over the
object. If the force e3erted by the object is greater
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 11
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

than the upward thrust or buoyancy by water, the
object sinks in water otherwise it floats over water.
$uoyancy in everyday life >
(a, Swimming in water "> nyone can be able to
swim in water because of upward thrust e3erted by
water.
(b, %lying of bird or aero plane "> Since air is a
fluid, thus it also e3erts upward thrust over the
object. Therefore, because of upward thrust of air a
bird or aero plane can fly in air.
%actors which affect buoyancy
Volume of the object
Densit of the !ui"
Iolume of the object > $uoyancy or upward thrust
e3erted by a fluid increases with the volume of the
object immersed in it.
Fensity of the fluid > The buoyant force or upward
thrust increases with increase in density of the
fluid. Fenser li0uid e3ert more upward thrust.
This is the cause that it is easier to swim in sea
water rather than fresh water. Sea water is saline.
Salts dissolved in sea water increase the density
and hence it e3erts more upward thrust than fresh
water.
Fensity
5ass per unit volume of an object is called density
or mass density. Fensity is denoted by 8reek letter
rho (N,.
Where, m is mass of object and I is the volume of
that object.
SI Hnit of density
The SI unit of mass is kg and SI unit of volume is
cubic meter.
Therefore, by substituting the unit of mass and
volume in the e3pression of density we get
Relative density
%or convenience the density of water is e3pressed
in comparison of water. Thus, when density of a
substance is e3pressed in comparison with water, it
is called relative density.
-elative density has no unit, because it is the ratio
of similar 0uantity.
Eractical application of density
Water is taken as reference material because it is
easily available at most of the places and it is easy
to carry out the measurement related to density in
field visit.
When the relative density of a substance is less
than &, it will float in water otherwise it will sink in
water.
The relative density of ice is @.D&, thus, it floats in
water.
If the relative density of an object is less than &,
compare to the li0uid in which it is immersed, the
object will sink otherwise object will float.
#$chime"es% P$inci&le
rchimedes+ Erinciple states that when an object is
immersed fully or partially in a li0uid, it
e3periences an upward force which is e0ual to the
weight of li0uid displaced by the object.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 12
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

pplication of rchimedes+ Erinciple
When the weight of displaced li0uid by an object is
greater than the weight of object, the object will
float in li0uid and when the weight of li0uid will
be smaller than that of the weight of the object, the
object will sink in li0uid.
(a, In submarines > In submarines, there is a tank
which can be filled or emptied as per re0uirement.
It is called buoyancy tank.
When submarines have to go inside the water, the
buoyancy tank is filled with water, so that, the
weight of the submarines would become more than
the weight of water displaced by it. nd when
submarines have to come over the surface of water,
the buoyancy tank is emptied and water is replaced
by air. In this condition, the weight of water
displaced by submarines will become more than
the weight of submarines and submarine comes
over the surface of water.
(b, ir balloons > To raise the air balloon in airC the
air inside the balloon is heated. ir e3pands
because of heat and becomes lighter. Thus, the
balloon gets and upward thrust from the
surrounding air and rises up.
(c, Ships > ship is much heavier than water, yet it
floats on water. This happens because of uni0ue
shape of the ship. $ecause of its shape, the volume
of the ship is larger compared to its weight. Fue to
this, water displaced by the ship provides a proper
upward thrust to the ship and the ship floats on
water.
Gravitation
(Worksheet-1)
Fill in the Blanks
1. Geocentric model i.e. the Earth is the orbital center of all
celestial bodies was proposed by _____.
2. Heliocentric model was proposed by ______.
3. According to Heliocentric theory the _____ is at centre
and _______ move around it.
4. ______ stated that every planet moves around the sun in
closed elliptical orbit, with the ___ at one focus .
5. The force which keeps the obect moving in a circular path
is called _____ force. !t always acts towards the _____.
6. The force of attraction between two obects is ______
proportional to the product of their masses and _____
proportional to the s"uare of distance between them.
7. #epler$s %aw of ______ states that a line that connects a
planet to the &un sweeps out e"ual ______ in the plane of the
planet$s orbit in _____time intervals.
8. The value of 'niversal Gravitation constant (G) is
________ *m
+
kgs
,+
.
9. The mass of the earth is ________ kg.
10. The mass of an obect _____ (varies-does not vary) on
the earth as well as on the moon. .ut its weight is
______(same-different) on both places.
11. /hen obects of different masses and si0es are
dropped from same height would reach ground at ______
(same time-different times), considering negligible air
resistance.
12. Acceleration due to gravity (g) is _______
(dependent-independent) of mass.
13. The value of g on the earth$s surface is ______.
14. The value of g at poles is ______ (lower-higher) than its
value at e"uator.
15. The value of g ________ (increases-decreases) as we
go upwards from the earth$s surface.
16. The value of g ________ (increases-decreases) as we
go downwards from the earth$s surface.
17. The &! unit of weight is _____.
18. /eight of an obect is the product of ______ and
________.
19. At the center of the earth, acceleration due to gravity is
_______.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 13
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

20. The value of G was found out by _______ by using a
________.
Gravitation Important Formulae
Answers:
1. 2tolemy
+. 3opernicus
4. sun, planets
5. #epler$s %aw of 6rbits, &un
7. 3entripetal, centre
8. directly, inversely
9. %aw of Areas, areas, e"ual
:. 8.89 ; 1<
,11

=. 8. > 1<
+5
kg
1<. does not vary, different
11. same time
1+. independent
14. =.: m-s
+
15. higher
17. decreases
18. decreases
19. *ewton (*)
1:. mass of the obect(m), acceleration due to gravity(g)
1=. 0ero.
+<. Henry 3avendish, sensitive balance
Gravitation
?ohannes #epler ,
proposed laws of planetary motion
NCERT Q & A, Study Notes, Numerical Problems,
Questions asked in CBSE Papers.
Q1: What was geocentric moel! Who propose this
theor"!
Answer@ 2tolemy a Greek mathematician and astronomer
proposed geocentric model around 1+7 AA. According to this
model, the earth is in the center and sun, other planets and
stars move around it.
To e>plain retrograde motion of planets, he also proposed that
those planet also move in small circle. The geocentric theory
held valid till 1754 AA when 3opernicus proposed heliocentric
model.
Q#: What was heliocentric theor"! Who propose this!
Answer@ 3opernicus proposed heliocentric model around
1754 AA. he proposed that the sun is in the center and all
planets move around it.
Q$: What is retrograe motion o% planets (sa" mars
planet)!
Answer@ Betrograde motion is the apparent backward motion
of planets (e.g. Cars) as seen from the earth against the
background of stars.E.g. Cars planet when seen from the
earth, appears to move in a loop. This had pu00led the
astronomers for a long time till 3opernicus proposed
heliocentric model. %ater .rahe and #epler solved it by telling
the world the planets move in elliptical path. (3lick here to
read more about this.)
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 14
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Q&:What are the 'epler (aws that govern the motion o%
the planets!
Answer@ #epler three laws are@
1. THE %A/ 6D 6B.!T&@ All planets move in elliptical
orbits. with the &un at one focus.
+. THE %A/ 6D ABEA&@ A line that connects a planet
to the &un sweeps out e"ual areas in the plane of
the planet$s orbit in e"ual time intervals. !t implies
that the planet will move most slowly when it is
farthest from the &un and most rapidly when it is
nearest to the &un.
3' THE %A/ 6D 2EB!6A&@ The s"uare of the orbital
period (T) of any planet is proportional to the cube is
of its orbit (r) i.e. T
+
r
4

Q)(*+,-./+B0, #111): 0tate the universal law o%
gravitation2
Answer@ Every obect of the universe attracts other obect.
The force of attraction between the two obects is proportional
to the product of their mass and inversely proportional to the
s"uare of the distance between them. The direction of this
force is along the line oining the centres of the obects.
!f m1 and m+ are the two obects separated by a distance d,
then force attraction between them is@
D E Gm1m+-d
+
where G is the universal Gravitation constant E 8.89 ; 1<
,11

*m
+
-kg
+
Q3(*+,-.): What is the importance o% 4niversal (aw o%
Gravitation!
or
Q(+B0, #111): 0tate an" one phenomena relate to the
4niversal (aw o% Gravitation2
Answer@ The law is universal i.e. it is applicable to all bodies,
whether the bodies are big or small, whether they are celestial
or terrestrial. !t successfully e>plains various phenomena@
1. the force that binds us to the earth.
+. the motion of the moon around the earth
4. the motion of planets around the &un
5. the tides due to the moon and the &un.
7. it also helps us finding the masses of planets and
stars.
Q5(+B0, #111): Wh" is G calle the 4niversal +onstant!
Answer@ At any place in the universe and at any time, the
value of G is found to be constant for any two bodies. Thus G
is called the universal constant of gravitation.
!t is defined as force of attraction acting between two obects
of mass 1 kg each placed at a distance of 1 m.
Cathematically, G E D.d
+
-m1m+
Thus the &! unit of the universal constant of gravitation is
*m
+
-kg
+
.
The value of G is 8.89 ; 1<
,11
*m
+
-kg
+
Q6: Who measure the value o% G %irst time7
e8perimentall"!
Answer@ Henry 3avendish
Q9(+B0, #111/*+,-.): What is the gravitational %orce
:etween the ,arth an a :o" calle! In which irection
oes it occur!
Answer@ /eight of the body or gravity. !t always acts towards
the centre of the earth i.e. vertically downwards.
Q11: An o:;ect moves in a circular motion ue to
centripetal %orce7 acting towars the center2 .he moon
also rotates aroun the earth! <oes centripetal %orce acts
on it! Wh" oes the moon not %all on the earth!
or
Q(*+,-.):I% the moon attracts the earth7 wh" oes the
earth not move towars the moon!
Answer@ Fes the centripetal force acts on the moon. This force
is due to gravitational force between the earth and the moon
and it acts on both the obects. Gravitational force is always
attractive, still the moon does not fall on the earth, because
the tangential speed (due to centripetal force) of the moon
make it escape from the gravitational force and is enough to
hold it in its orbital path.
Q11: .he earth an the moon are attracte to each other
:" gravitational %orce2 <oes the earth attract the moon
with a %orce that is greater or smaller or the same as the
%orce with which
the moon attracts the earth! Wh"!
Answer@ The two obects attract each other with e"ual forces
of attraction but in opposite directions.
Q1#: =ow gravitational %orce is i%%erent %rom or similar to
magnetic %orce (:etween two magnets) or coulom: %orce
(:etween two charge o:;ect)!
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 15
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Answer@ &imilarity@ These three forces follow inverse s"uare
rule i.e. force between the two obects is inversely
proportional to the s"uare of distance between them.
Aifference@ /hile gravitational force is always attractive,
magnetic force and coulomb forces can be attractive or
repulsive (e.g. *orth,*orth pole repel each other.). Among the
three, gravitational force is the weakest.
Q1$(*+,-.): +alculate the %orce o% gravitation :etween
the earth an the 0un7 given that the mass o% the earth >
3 ? 11
#&
kg an o% the 0un > # ? 11
$1
kg2 .he average
istance :etween the two is 12) ? 11
11
m2
Answer@ Given, mass of the earth (mE) E 8 ; 1<
+5
kg
mass of the sun (m&) E + ; 1<
4<
kg
Aistance between the bodies (d) E 1.7 ; 1<
11
m
Gravitational 3onstant (G) E 8.89 ; 1<
,11
*m
+
-kg
+
Applying formula of *ewton$s %aw of Gravitation,
D E GmEm&-d
+
E 8.89 ; 1<
,11
; 8 ; 1<
+5
; + ; 1<
4<
- (1.7 ;
1<
11
)
+
D E :<.<5 ; 1<
,11G+5G4<
- +.+7 ; 1<
++
E 47.79 ; 1<
54,++
E 47.79 ;
1<
+1
D E $2)3 ? 11
##
*
Q1&(+B0, #111): .he ,arth attracts an apple2 <oes the
apple also attract the ,arth! I% it oes7 wh" oes the
,arth not move towars the apple!
Answer@ According to *ewton$s law of gravitation, both apple
and the earth attract each other with e"ual force but in
opposite directions. Also they they produce different
accelerations depending on the mass of the obect. !t means
apple also attract the Earth. &ince the mass of the earth is
e>tremely large as compared to mass of the apple,
acceleration of the earth due to this force of attraction is very
low (of order 1<
,+7
m-s
+
).
Cathematically, mass of an apple (mapple) E 17<g E <.17 kg
mass of the earth (mE) E 8 ; 1<
+5
kg
acceleration acting on apple due to gravity (g) of earth E =.:
m-s
+
/eight of the apple E mapple; g E <.17 ; =.: E 1.59 *
( Earth also e>periences 1.59 * force.
i.e. mE ; a E 1.59*
a E 1.59 - 8 ; 1<
+5
E +.57 ; 1<
,+7
m-s
+
(e>tremely small value)
Q1)(+B0, #111): =ow is gravitational %orce o% attraction
:etween two :oies a%%ecte i%
(i) @ass o% :oth :oies is ou:le2
(ii) <istance :etween them is halve2
Answer@ The gravitational force between two obects is
directly proportional to the product of their mass and inversely
proportional to the s"uare of the distance between them.
(i) if mass of both bodies is doubled, the force of the attraction
will increase by 5 time.
(ii) if distance between them is halved, the force of attraction
will increase by 5 times.
!n case above two cases occur in parallel, the force of
attraction will increase by 18 times.
Q13(*+,-./+B0, #111): What happens to the %orce :etween
two o:;ects7 i%
(i) the mass o% one o:;ect is ou:le!
(ii) the istance :etween the o:;ects is ou:le an
triple!
(iii) the masses o% :oth o:;ects are ou:le!
Answer@ The gravitational force between two obects is
directly proportional to the product of their mass and inversely
proportional to the s"uare of the distance between them.
D E Gm1m+-d
+

(i) Aoubled
!f m1 becomes +m1
D*ew E G+m1m+-d
+
E +(Gm1m+-d
+
) E +D
(ii) 6ne fourth and one,ninth
if distance between obects is doubled i.e. +d, D*ew E Gm1m+-
(+d)
+
E Gm1m+-5d
+
D*ew E D-5
if distance is tripled i.e. 4d, D*ew E Gm1m+-(4d)
+
E Gm1m+-=d
+
D*ew E D-=
(iii) four times
!f both masses are doubled i,e, +m1 and +m+
D*ew E G+m1+m+-d
+
E 5(Gm1m+-d
+
) E 5D
Q15: An o:;ect is place at the sur%ace o% the earth an is
at istance - %rom the center o% the earth2 .he o:;ect
weighs 161*2 What will :e its weight i% it is at istance $-
%rom the center o% the earth2
Answer@ +<*. HHint@ &ee logic in I18,=(i)J
Q16: <oes the %orce o% attraction :etween two o:;ects
epen on the properties o% intervening meium!
Answer@ *o.
Q19: <oes (aw o% gravitation o:e" *ewtonAs thir law o%
motion!
Answer@ Fes.
Q#1(*+,-.): What is %ree %all!
Answer@ The falling of a body from height towards the earth
under the influence of gravitation force of the earth alone only
is called free fall.
Q#1: <e%ine AgA or acceleration ue to gravit"! <oes it
epen on the mass o% the :o" (near the sur%ace o% the
earth)e8periencing AgA!
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 16
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Answer@ The constant acceleration e>perienced by a freely
falling obect towards the earth is called acceleration due to
gravity (g). !ts average value on the surface of the earth is =.:
m-s
+
. !t does not depend on the mass of the body
e>periencing $g$.
i.e. g E GmE-B
+
E =.: m-s
+
.
where mE is the mass of the earth, B is the radius of the earth
and G is the universal constant.
Q##: (a)(+B0, #111) What is the relationship :etween g
an G!
(:) 0how mathematicall" whether g (acceleration ue to
gravit" on the earth) epens on the mass o% the o:;ect
itsel% or not2
(c) 0how that %or a given location on the sur%ace o% the
earth g is almost constant2
Answer@ %et CE is the mass of the earth,
m is the mass of the obect on the surface of the earth.
B is the radius of the earth
g is the acceleration due to gravity and
G is the universal constant.
According to *ewton$s second law, Dorce on the body due to
acceleration due to gravity is
D E mass(m) ; acceleration due to gravity(g) E m;g ...
(!)
'sing *ewton$s law of gravitation, the force of attraction D E
GmCE-B
+
... (!!)
&ince both these forces are e"ual, e"uating ! and !!,
mg E GmCE-B
+
( g E GCE-B
+
...(!!!)
The above e"uation (!!!) shows, acceleration due to gravity(g)
is independent of its mass. !t depends on the mass of the
earth(or planet) and the distance between the two obects.
Dor a given location on the surface of the earth, CE and B are
constant. ) for that location value of g is constant.
Q#$: =ow oes value o% AgA var" on the earth! What are
the %actors responsi:le %or this!
Answer@ The value of $g$ varies slightly from location to
location. !t is due to the following reasons@
1. Earth is not sphere but ellipsoid. i.e. it is flattened at
the poles. E"uator radius is more than 2olar radius.
) Kalue of g is ma>imum at the poles and minimum
at e"uator.
+. Earth$s mass is not uniformly distributed. &ince
density of the earth crust varies region to region, g
also varies.
4. Earth is rotating on its a>is.
5. Altitude@ As we move away from the earth, the
distance increases, value of g also decreases.
7. Aepth@ As we move towards, g increases to certain
depth and after that it starts decreasing and is 0ero
at the centre of the earth.
* The value of $g$ varies at different places, this property is
used to detect mineral ores, mines and oil fields.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 17
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

Q#&: What happens to AgA e8perience :" a :o" when it
moves up the earthAs sur%ace!
Answer@ /hen a body moves up the earth surface, the value
of $g$ decreases because its distance from the centre of the
earth increases.
%et h E height of the body from the earth$s surface and BE is
the radius of the earth. Acceleration at height $h$ will be@
gh E GCE-(BEG h)
+
E GCE-BE
+
; BE
+
-(BEG h)
+

( gh E gBE
+
-(BEG h)
+

(where g E GCE-BE
+
E =.:1 m-s
+
.)
Q#): At what height a:ove the sur%ace o% the earth7 the
value o% AgA :ecomes 3&B o% its value at the sur%ace o% the
earth2 .ake raius o% the earth > 3&11 km2
Answer@ %et g E acceleration due to gravity at the earth
surface.
Given gh E acceleration due to gravity at height h E <.85g
.ecause, gh E gBE
+
-(BEG h)
+
( <.85g E gBE
+
-(BEG h)
+
( <.85 (BEG h)
+
E BE
+
( <.:(BEG h) E BE
( <.:h E (1 , <.:)BE
( h E + ; 85<< - : E 1311 km
Q#3(*+,-.): Wh" is the weight o% an o:;ect on the moon
1/3th its weight on the earth!
Answer@
%et $m$ be the mass of an obect.
BE be radius of the earth E 85<<km E 8.5 ; 1<
8
m
CE E mass of the earth E 7.=: ; 1<
+5
kg
BC E radius of the moon. E 1.95 ; 1<
8
m
CC E mass of the moon E 9.48 ; 1<
++
kg
/E E weight of an obect on the earth.
/C E weight of an obect on the moon.
'sing *ewton$s %aw of gravitation,
/E E GCEm-BE
+
/C E GCCm-BC
+
( /C-/E E CC-BC
+
; BE
+
-CE E CCBE
+
-CEBC
+
( /C-/E E (9.48 ; 1<
++
)(8.5 ; 1<
8
)
+
-(7.=: ; 1<
+5
)(1.95 ; 1<
8
)
+
( /C-/E E <.187 E 1-8
( /C E /E-8
Q#5(*+,-.): Gravitational %orce acts on all o:;ects in
proportion to their masses2 Wh" then7 a heav" o:;ect
oes not %all %aster than a light o:;ect!
Answer@ All obects fall under the influence of gravity and
e>perience constant acceleration (g).
g E GCE-B
+
&ince g is constant for a location and independent of mass of
the obect, heavy obects do not fall faster than light obects.
Q#6(*+,-.): What is the magnitue o% the gravitational
%orce :etween the earth an a 1 kg o:;ect on its sur%ace!
(@ass o% the earth is 3 ? 11
#&
kg an raius o% the earth is
32& ? 11
3
m)2
Answer@ Given,
BE radius of the earth E 8.5 ; 1<
8
m
CE E mass of the earth E 8 ; 1<
+5
kg
G E 'niversal Gravitational 3onstant E 8.89 ; 1<
,11
*m
+
-kg
+
m E mass of obect E 1kg
According to *ewton$s %aw of gravitation, the gravitation force
(D) is
D E GCEm-BE
+
D E (8.89 ; 1<
,11
)(8 ; 1<
+5
)(1)-(8.5 ; 1<
8
)
+
D E 926*
Q#9: <e%ine mass2
Answer@ The mass of the body is the "uantity of matter it
contains. !t is the measure of inertia of the
body. !t is a scalar "uantity. !ts &! unit is kg. The mass of an
obect is constant and does not change from place to place.
Q$1(+B0, #111): <e%ine weight! =ow it is relate to mass!
Answer@ The weight of the body is the force e>perienced by
the body due to its gravity. !t is a vector "uantity and always
directs towards the centre of the earth. The &! unit of weight is
*ewton (*). !ts cgs unit is dyne.
1* E 1<
7
dyne
/eight is also called force of gravity on the body.
/eight and mass are related as follows@
/eight E mass(m) ; acceleration due to gravity(g) E mg
Q$1(+B0, #111): @ass o% an o:;ect is 11 kg2 What is its
weight on the ,arth! (g > 926 m/s
#
2)
Answer@ /eight E mass(m) ; acceleration due to gravity(g)
E mg
/ E 1< ; =.: E 96*
Q$#(*+,-./+B0, #111): What are the i%%erences :etween
the mass o% an o:;ect an its weight!
Answer@
@ass Weight
1. !t is the "uantity of the matter
contained in the body.
1. !t is the gravitational force of
attraction on the body by the
earth(planet).
2. &! unit is kg 2. &! unit is *ewton(*)
3. !t is a scalar "uantity i.e. has
magnitude only.
3. !t is a vector "uantity i.e. has
both magnitude and direction.
e.g. 6n the Earth, its direction is
always towards the centre of the
earth-planet.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 18
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

@ass Weight
4. !t is a measure of inertia of the
body.
4. !t is the measure of the
gravity.
5. !t is measured by physical or
beam balance.
5. !t is measured by spring
balance calibrated to read in
*ewton scale or #g,/t.
6. !t is constant for a body and does
not change from place to place.
6. !t is not constant but varies
as the value of gravity changes
place to place.
Q$$: Wh" the value o% g is greater at the poles than at the
eCuator!
Answer@ The value of $g$ for an obect on the surface of the
earth can be e>pressed as@
g E GCE-B
+
where B is radius of the earth, G is universal constant and CE
is the mass of the earth.
&ince G and CE are constant, g 1-B
+
.ecause E"uator radius (Be") is more than 2olar radius (B2).
) Kalue of g is greater at the poles than that of at e"uator.
6r The value of g increases as we move e"uator to poles.
Q$&(*+,-.): Amit :u"s %ew grams o% gol at the poles as
per the instruction o% one o% his %riens2 =e hans over
the same when he meets him at the eCuator2 Will the
%rien agree with the weight o% gol :ought! I% not7 wh"!
D=int: .he value o% g is greater at the poles than at the
eCuatorE2
Answer@ %et $m$ be the mass of the gold. .ecause weight E
mass ; acceleration E mg
) /eight of the gold at poles (/2) E mg2
and /eight of gold at e"uator (/E") E mgE"
+ g2 L gE" ( /2 L /E"
6r gold at the e"uator weighs less than at the poles. Hence,
AmitMs friend will not agree with the weight of the gold bought.
Q$)(*+,-.): Gravitational %orce on the sur%ace o% the
moon is onl" 1/3th as strong as gravitational %orce on the
,arth2 What is the weight in newtons o% a 11 kg o:;ect on
the moon an on the ,arth! What is the value o% AgA at the
sur%ace o% the moon!
Answer@ weight E mass ; acceleration E mg
Given mass of the obect (m) E 1<kg
Kalue of g on the earth E =.: m-s
+
.
/eight of the obect on the earth (/E) E 1< ; =.: E 96*.
/eight of the obect on the moon (/C) E 1-8th of /E E =:-8 E
132$& *
acceleration due to gravity at the moon$s surface E /C -m E
18.45 - 1< E 123$ m/s
#
.
Q$3(+B0, #111): Write the stanar eCuations o% motion
when an o:;ect is thrown upwars with some initial
velocit"!
Answer@ /hen an obect is thrown upwards with initial velocity
(u), it reaches to certain height(h) and its velocity (v) becomes
0ero. Then it starts to fall. !n this case, the acceleration due to
gravity (g) is opposing the vertical upward motion and is taken
as negative(,ve).
E"uations become@
v E u G at ( < E u , gt ( u > gt
& E ut G Nat
+
( h > ut - Fgt
#
v
+
, u
+
E+a& ( < , u
+
E,+gh ( u
#
> #gh
Q$5: Write the stanar eCuations in the %orm when an
o:;ect is roppe %rom a height!
Answer@ /hen an obect is dropped from a height(h), its initial
velocity(u E <) is 0ero. !t begins to free fall i.e. under the
influence of gravity. !t means the acceleration due to
gravity(taken as positive), will accelerate the obect and it
reaches ground with some final velocity (v).
E"uations of linear motion become@
v E u G at ( v > gt
& E ut G Nat
+
( h E < G Ngt
+
( h > Fgt
#
v
+
, u
+
E+a& ( v
#
> #gh
Q$6: Is acceleration ue to gravit" a vector or a scalar!
Write its 02I2 unit2
Answer@ !t is a vector "uantity and hence has both magnitude
and direction. The &! unit is m-s
+
.

Q$9(*+,-.): A :all is thrown verticall" upwars with a
velocit" o% &9 m/s2 +alculate
(i) the ma8imum height to which it rises2
(ii)the total time it takes to return to the sur%ace o% the
earth2
Answer@ Given, initial velocity (u) E 5= m-s
final velocity the ball reaches ma>. height (v) E < m-s
acceleration due to gravity (g) E ,=.: m-s
+
.
g is ,ve because it opposed the vertical motion.
height (h) ball will reach E O m
Time of ascent i.e. time taken to reach ma>. height (t) E O s
'sing e"uation v
+
, u
+
E+a&,
( <
+
, 5=
+
E ,+(=.:)h
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 19
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

( h E (5= ; 5=)-1=.8 E 5=<-5 E 1##2) m
'sing e"uation v E u G at i.e. < E 5= , =.:t
( t E 5=-=.: E 7s
&ince Time of ascent E Time of descent.
Total time the ball will take to reach ground E 7 G 7 E 11s
Q&1(*+,-.): A stone is release %rom the top o% a tower o%
height 1923 m2 +alculate its %inal velocit" ;ust :e%ore
touching the groun2
Answer@ Given initial velocity (u) E < m-s
Dinal velocity (v) E O
height (distance) h E 1=.8 m
acceleration due to gravity (g) E G=.: m-s
+
.
g is taken as Gve because it will accelerate the vertical
motion.
'sing e"uation v
+
, u
+
E+a&, ( v
+
, < E +gh
( v
+
E + ; =.: ; 1=.8 E (1=.8)
+
( v E 1923 m-s
Q&1(*+,-.): A stone is thrown verticall" upwar with an
initial velocit" o% &1 m/s2 .aking g > 11 m/s
#
7 %in the
ma8imum height reache :" the stone2 What is the net
isplacement an the total istance covere :" the
stone!
Answer@ Given, initial velocity (u) E 5< m-s
Dinal velocity when stone reaches at ma>. height (v) E < m-s
Acceleration due gravity in upward motion of stone g E ,=.:
m-s
+
g is taken ,ve because it opposed the vertical motion.
ma>. height the stone will reach (h) E O
'sing e"uation v
+
, u
+
E+a&,
( < , u
+
E ,+gh
( h E u
+
-(+g) E (5<)
+
-(+ ; 1<) E 61m
!t means the stone will reach upto :<m height and then it
comes back to ground(original position).
Total Aistance covered by stone E + ; :< E 131m
*et displacement E 'pward Aisplacement G Aownward
Aisplacement E :< G (,:<) E 1m
Q&#(*+,-.): A stone is allowe to %all %rom the top o% a
tower 111 m high an at the same time another stone is
pro;ecte verticall" upwars %rom the groun with a
velocit" o% #) m/s2 +alculate when an where the two
stones will meet2
Answer@ %et us assume both stones meet at time $t$.
Height of the tower (h) E 1<<m
0tone 1 roppe %rom the top o% a tower:
initial velocity of the stone (u) E < m-s
acceleration due to gravity (g) is Gve E G=.: m-s
+
At time t, it will cover distance (h1), then using e"uation & E ut
G Nat
+
( h1 E < G Ngt
+
E (N)(=.:)t
+
E 5.=t
+
0tone # thrown upwars:
initial velocity (u) E +7 m-s
acceleration due to gravity (g) is negative E , =.: m-s
+

At time t, +nd stone reaches height (h+), then using e"uation
& E ut G Nat
+
( h+ E +7t , Ngt
+
E +7t , (N)(=.:)t
+
E +7t , 5.=t
+
.ecause Total height h E 1<< m E h1 G h+
( 5.=t
+
G +7t , 5.=t
+
E 1<<
( +7t , 1<<
( t E 5s.
!n 5 seconds, both stones will meet.
h1 (height from top) E 5.= ; 18 E 9:.5m or 1<<, 9:.5 E +1.8m
from ground.
.oth stones will meet at #123 m from ground.
(*ote@ !f you take g E 1< m-s
+
, the height will come as +<m)
Q&$: A :all is thrown upwars %rom the groun o% a tower
with a spee o% #1 m/s2 .here is a winow in the tower at
the height o% 1)m %rom groun2 =ow man" times an
when will the :all pass the winow! (g > 11 m/s
#
)
Answer@ Given, initial velocity (u) E +< m-s
Ca> height the ball will reach (h) E O
'sing e"uation u
+
E +gh,
( h E +<
+
-(+;1<) E +<m
This means ball will reach the height of +<m and comes back.
!t will pass the window two times.
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 20
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

%et us calculate the time ball will take to reach 17 m height.
'sing e"uation, h = ut - gt
2
17 E +<t , 10t
2

( 7t
2
, +<t G17 E <
( t
2
, 5t G4 E <
( t
2
, t , 4t G4 E <
( t(t ,1) ,4(t ,1) E <
( (t ,1)(t , 4) E <
( t E 1s and 4s
.all will pass the window at 1s and 4s respectively.
Q&&: A :all is thrown up an is caught :" the pla"er a%ter
& secons2=ow high i it go an with what velocit" was
it thrown! =ow %ar :elow the :all will :e %rom its highest
point a%ter $ secons %rom start!
Answer@ &ince we know that, Time of Ascent E Time of
Aescent.
( Time taken by ball to reach highest point E 5 -+ E +s
%et u be the initial velocity the ball is thrown upwards.
At its highest point (h), final velocity (v) E < m-s
'sing e"uation v E u G at
( < E u , +g
( u E + ; =.: E 1923 m/s
The ball was thrown with initial velocity 1=.8 m-s
Ca>imum height it will reach,
h = ut - gt
2
( h E 1=.8 ; + , 9.8 2
2
E 1=.8 ; + , 1=.8 E 1923 m
After t E 4 seconds, the distance traveled will be
h3 = ut - gt
2
E 1=.8 ; 4 , 9.8 3
2
E 7:.: , 55.1 E 15.9 m
wrt ground.
.all$s position w.r.t. to its high point E 1=.8 , 15.9 E &29m
Q&): A :all is thrown with some velocit" AuA m/s2 0how
that uner %ree %all7 it will %all the groun with same
velocit"2
Answer@ /hen the ball is thrown upwards, it will reach certain
height (h) and starts falling. At height $h$, the final velocity will
be (v) E <.
Ca>. height reached by the ball, (acceleration E ,g)
'sing e"uation v
+
, u
+
E+a&
( <
+
, u
+
E , +gh
( h E u
+
-+gh ... (i)
!n second case when the ball starts to fall, the initial velocity E
<. !t will accelerate due to gravity i.e. a E Gg and reach ground
with velocity (say v2)
'sing e"uation v
+
, u
+
E+a&
( v2
+
, <
+
E+gh
( v2
+
E +g u
+
-+g (from e"n. i)
( v2
+
E u
+
( v2 E u
) the ball will reach ground with same velocity.
Q&3: <e%ine thrust2
Answer@ !t is a type of force which acts normal (perpendicular)
to the surface.
Q&5: .wo stones A an B are roppe %rom a multistorie
:uiling2 A is roppe %rom 111 m an a%ter some time B
is roppe %rom )1 m height2 Both o% them reach the
earth at the same time2 Will the" have eCual velocit" while
reaching the groun ! +alculate an %in out the answer
(take g >11 m/s
#
)2
Answer@ Dor stone A, height (h) E 1<<m and a E g E 1<m-s
+

(taken as Gve)
!nitial velocity (u) E < m-s, Dinal velocity vA E O
'sing e"uation, v
+
, u
+
E+a&
( vA
+
, <
+
E+gh E + ; 1< ; 1<< E +<<<
( vA E (2000) = &&25# m/s

Dor stone ., initial velocity (u) E < m-s, height h E 7<m,
Dinal velocity (vB ) E O
'sing e"uation, v
+
, u
+
E+a&
( vB
+
, <
+
E +gh E + ; 1< ; 7< E 1<<<
( vB E (1000) = $123 m/s
) .oth stones will reach ground with different velocities.
,$a-itation .ol-e"
/uestions 01ume$ical
&$oblems
1' 2o3 "oes the fo$ce of g$a-itation
bet3een t3o objects change 3hen the
"istance bet3een them is $e"uce" to
half4
#ns3e$0 3hen the "istance bet3een the
objects is $e"uce" to half the
g$a-itational fo$ce inc$eases b fou$
times the o$iginal fo$ce'
2' 5he g$a-itational fo$ce acts on all
objects in &$o&o$tion to thei$ masses'
6h7 then7 a hea- object "oes not fall
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 21
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

faste$ than a light object4
#ns3e$0 #ccele$ation "ue to g$a-it "oes
not "e&en" on mass of object ' 2ence7
all bo"ies fall 3ith the same accele$ation
&$o-i"e" the$e is no ai$ o$ othe$
$esistance
3' 5he ea$th an" the moon a$e att$acte"
to each othe$ b g$a-itational fo$ce'
Does the ea$th att$act the moon 3ith a
fo$ce that is g$eate$ o$ smalle$ o$ the
same as the fo$ce 3ith 3hich the moon
att$acts the ea$th4 6h4
#ns3e$0 #cco$"ing to 1e3ton%s 3$" la3
of motion 8-e$ action has e9ual
$eaction in o&&osite "i$ection' .ince7 5he
ea$th su$face att$acts the moon 3ith the
same fo$ce 3ith 3hich the moon att$acts
the ea$th an" cancel them
4' :f the moon att$acts the ea$th7 3h
"oes the ea$th not mo-e to3a$"s the
moon4
#ns3e$0 5he ea$th is much la$ge$ than
the moon so7 the accele$ation &$o"uce"
on the ea$th su$face cannot be notice"'
5' 6hat is the im&o$tance of ;ni-e$sal
<a3 of ,$a-itation4
#ns0 5he$e a$e man im&o$tance of
;ni-e$sal <a3 of ,$a-itation
1' 5he fo$ce of att$action that bin"s us to
the ea$th7
2' 5he motion of &lanets mo-ing a$oun"
the sun7
3' the motion of moon a$oun" the ea$th
4' 5he occu$$ing of ti"es "ue to sun an"
moon'
6 6hat is ,$a-itation4
#ns3e$0 ,$a-itation is the fo$ce of
att$action bet3een t3o objects in the
uni-e$se'
i= ,$a-itation ma be the att$action of
objects b the ea$th' 8g 0> :f a bo" is
"$o&&e" f$om a ce$tain height7 it falls
"o3n3a$"s "ue to ea$th%s g$a-it' :f a
bo" is th$o3n u&3a$"s7 it $eaches a
ce$tain height an" then falls "o3n3a$"s
"ue to the ea$th%s g$a-it'
ii= ,$a-itation ma be the att$action
bet3een objects in oute$ s&ace'8g 0>
#tt$action bet3een the ea$th an"
moon' #tt$action bet3een the sun an"
&lanets
7' 6hat is ?ent$i&etal fo$ce4
#ns3e$0 6hen a bo" mo-es in a
ci$cula$ &ath7 it changes its "i$ection at
e-e$ &oint' 5he fo$ce 3hich @ee&s the
bo" in the ci$cula$ &ath acts to3a$"s
the cent$e of the ci$cle' 5his fo$ce is
calle" cent$i&etal fo$ce'
:f the$e is no cent$i&etal fo$ce7 the bo"
3ill mo-e in a st$aight line tangent to
the ci$cula$ &ath'
8' .tate ;ni-e$sal la3 of g$a-itation4
#ns3e$0 5he uni-e$sal la3 of g$a-itation
states that7 A8-e$ object in the uni-e$se
att$acts e-e$ othe$ object 3ith a fo$ce
3hich is "i$ectl &$o&o$tional to &$o"uct
of the masses an" in-e$sel &$o&o$tional
to the s9ua$e of the "istance bet3een
them'%
9' :n 3hat "i$ection "oes the buoant
fo$ce on an object imme$se" in a li9ui"
act4
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 22
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

#ns0 5he buoant fo$ce acts on an object
in the -e$ticall u&3a$" "i$ection
th$ough the cente$ of g$a-it of the
"is&lace" li9ui"'
10' # stone is $elease" f$om the to& of a
to3e$ of height 19'6 m' calculate its Bnal
-elocit just befo$e touching the g$oun"'
#ns0 ,i-en that7 u C 07 g C 9'8 ms
D2
7
s C 19'6 m
1o37 -
2
> u
2
C 2gs
o$7 -
2
> 0 C 2 E 9'8 E 19'6 C F19'6=
2
o$7 - C 19'6 ms
D1
F - is G-e "ue to
"o3n3a$" "i$ection=
.ol-e" /uestion on ?lass
:H I .cience I ,$a-itation I 5he ;ni-e$sal
<a3 Jf ,$a-itation'
/'1' 6hen 3e mo-e f$om the &oles to the
e9uato$' 2ence7 the -alue of A g %
"ec$eases' 6h
#ns0 5he sha&e of ea$th is an elli&se so
3hen 3e mo-e f$om the &oles to the
e9uato$ the $a"ius of the ea$th K
inc$eases' 2ence7 the -alue of A g %
"ec$eases because -alue LgL is in-e$sel
&$o&o$tional to the $a"ius of ea$th' g C
,MNK
2
/' 2' 6hat is the "iO$ence bet3een
cent$ifugal fo$ce an" cent$i&etal fo$ce4
#ns0 ?ent$i&etal Po$ce
Fi= :t is the fo$ce that @ee&s a bo" in
ci$cula$ &ath'
Fii= :t acts to3a$" the cente$'
?ent$ifugal Po$ce
Fi= :t is the &seu"o fo$ce that t$ies to ma@e
a bo" ! oO the ci$cula$ &ath'
Fii= :t acts out3a$" the cente$'
/'3' 8E&lain 0?ent$ifugal fo$ce an"
?ent$i&etal fo$ce4
#ns0 # fo$ce 3hich is $e9ui$e" to mo-e a
bo" unifo$ml in a ci$cle is @no3n as
cent$i&etal fo$ce' 5his fo$ce acts along the
$a"ius an" to3a$"s the cente$ of the
ci$cle7
?ent$ifugal fo$ce a$ises 3hen a bo" is
mo-ing actuall along a ci$cula$ &ath7 b
-i$tue of ten"enc of the bo" to $egain
its natu$al st$aight line &ath' 5his fo$ce
acts along the $a"ius an" a3a f$om the
cente$ of the ci$cle'
/'4 an ast$onaut has 80 @g mass on
ea$th Fa=3hat is his 3eight on ea$th4 Fb=
3hat 3ill be his mass an" 3eight on ma$s
3he$e gC3'7 mNs
2
#ns0 Mass of ast$onaut C 80 @g
6eight on ea$th C mg C F80=F9'8= 1 C
784 1 6eight on ma$s C mgL C F80=F3'7=
1 C 296 1
/'5' # ce$tain &a$ticle has a 3eight of 301
at a &lace 3he$e the accele$ation "ue to
g$a-it is 9'8 mNs
2

Fa= 6hat a$e its mass an" 3eight at a
&lace 3he$e accele$ation "ue to g$a-it is
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 23
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

3'5 mNs s9ua$e
Fb= 6hat a$e its mass an" 3eight at a
&lace 3he$e accele$ation "ue to g$a-it is
0
#ns Fa= 6eight of the bo"7 6 C 30 1
Cmg Mass of the bo"7 m C 6Ng C30 N
9'8C 3'06 @g
1e3 3eight of the bo"7 6L C mgL C
F3'06= F3'5= 1 C 10'71 1
Fb= ' Mass $emains the same but 3eight
becomes Qe$o'
/'6' De$i-e the in-e$se s9ua$e of 1e3ton'
#ns0 <et a &lanet of mass m $e-ol-es
a$oun" the sun of mass M in nea$l
ci$cula$ o$bit of $a"ius $7 3ith a constant
angula$ -elocit R' <et 5 be the time
&e$io" of the $e-olution of the &lanet
a$oun" the sun' then
C 2N5
5he cent$i&etal fo$ce acting on the &lanet7
P C m$
2
C m$ F2N5=
2
C F4
2
m$=N5
2
>>>>>>Fi=
#cco$"ing to Selle$%s thi$" la3
T5he s9ua$e of the time &e$io" of
$e-olution of a &lanet a$oun" the sun is
"i$ectl &$o&o$tional to the cube of semi
majo$ aEis of its elli&tical o$bitU
5
2
$
3
5
2
C S $
3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Fii=
2e$e7 S is &$o&o$tionalit constant'
f$om Fi=an" Fii=
P C F4
2
m$=N S $
3
P C
F4
2
N S=E VmN $
2
W
P mN$
2
#cco$"ing to 1e3ton7 the g$a-itational
att$action bet3een the sun an" the &lanet
is mutual' .o if P "e&en"s u&on the mass
of the &lanet m then it shoul" also be
"i$ectl &$o&o$tional to the mass of the
sun7 M'
2ence7 4
2
N S M
4
2
N S C , M
P C , FMmN$
2
=
5his is 1e3ton%s la3 of g$a-itation'
/77' 6hat is the "iOe$ence bet3een
g$a-it an" g$a-itation4
#ns0 ,$a-it is "eBne" as the abilit of
ea$th to att$act anothe$ bo" b -i$tue of
thei$ masses'
,$a-itation is the &henomenon 3hich
eE&lains the fo$ce of att$action bet3een
t3o masses se&a$ate" b a ce$tain
"istance' 5his fo$ce is @no3n as
,$a-itational Po$ce
/'8'6hat a$e these 0FF i= P$o"uct Kule Fii=
:n-e$se .9ua$e $ule Fiii= ;ni-e$sal
g$a-itational constant i-= ;ni-e$sal la3 of
g$a-itation0
#ns0 Fi= P$o"uct $ule0 Po$ce bet3een t3o
mass se&a$ate" b a "istance is "i$ectl
&$o&o$tional to the &$o"uct of the t3o
masses'
Fii= :n-e$se s9ua$e la3 means that the
fo$ce is in-e$sel &$o&o$tional to the
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 24
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

s9ua$e of the "istance bet3een t3o
objects' ,$a-itational fo$ce is an eEam&le
of in-e$se s9ua$e la3' 5he $elation
bet3een the fo$ce of g$a-itation an"
"istance is P1N$2
Fiii=;ni-e$sal g$a-itational constant0 5he
constant of &$o&o$tionalit is calle" the
uni-e$sal g$a-itational constant'
,$a-itational constant is "eBne" as the
fo$ce of att$action bet3een t3o unit
masses @e&t at unit "istance' Po$
eEam&le if 3e choose m 17 m 2 such that7
m 1 C m 2 C 1 an" @ee& them at a unit
"istance F$ C1=7 g$a-itational constant is
e9ual to g$a-itation fo$ce of att$action
bet3een them
Fi-= ;ni-e$sal la3 of g$a-itation0 a fo$ce of
att$action bet3een t3o masses se&a$ate"
b some "istance' 5he g$a-itational fo$ce
bet3een t3o bo"ies is "i$ectl
&$o&o$tional to the &$o"uct of thei$
masses an" in-e$sel &$o&o$tional to the
s9ua$e of the "istance bet3een them'
X/MATH/C.P.VERMA
Page 25
VERMA CLASSES, A-2/108; Mayur Apartment Se!t"r-#; R"$%n%; &e' (e)$%-11008*;
P$+ 011-2,*-#222; #818#88.,*.

You might also like