GRAVITATION

1. In The universe every mass attracts the other mass by a force, which is known as gravitational
force.
2. Earth also attracts the other masses and the force of attraction of earth is said to be force of
gravity.
Newtons Law of Gravitation: -
This law is for the force of attraction between any two-point masses.
Consider two masses m
1
& m
2
, kept at a distance of r in between then the force acting between then will be
F which is given as
F F
m
1
m
2
r
1 The force of attraction is proportional to product of masses say
F

m
1
m
2
2. The force of attraction is inversely proportional to the square of distance between the masses. i.e.

2
r
1
F
3. The gravitational force is always attractive force.
4. The gravitational force will be along the line joining the masses. So,
2
2 1
2
2 1
(r)
m m G
F or
(r)
m m
F
G = Gravitational Constant having same value in the complete universe.
G = 6.67 x 10
11
Nm
2
kg
2
[G] = [M
-1
L
3
T
-2
]

F = 6.67 x 10
11


) (
2
2 1
r
m m
Definition of unit mass or one kg :-
If m
1
= m
2
= 1 kg , r = 1 m
F = 6.67 x 10
-11
Nm
2
kg
-2
It two equal masses are kept at a distance of 1m apart and force acting between them is 6.67 x 10
-11
N, then each mass will be unit mass of 1 kg.
Vector form of the Gravitational force :- m
2

F
12
= force on m
1
due to m
2
F
21
r
12
F
21
= force on m
2
due to m
1

r
12
= A Unit vector from m
1
to m
2
F
12
m
1

Hence 21 12
F and

F
are equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction

) (
12
3
12
2 1
12
r
r
m Gm
F

F =
2
2 1
r
m Gm
= > Force is attractive
( )
12
2
1 2
2 1
12

Gm
r
r r
m
F

A m
1

r
2
r
1
( )
12 2
1 2
2 1
12

Gm
r
r r
m
F

r
1
B
r
2
21 12
21 12 12 2
12
2 1
21
12 2
12
2 1
12
F F
F F ) (
) ( F

r
r
m Gm
F
r
r
m Gm
y axis
x axis
O
y axis
x axis
m
2
r
Force acting between an Apple and earth: ---
m
apple
Force on Apple due to earth will be: -
F
Apple earth
=
2
) (r
m GM
APPLE E


Acceleration in the motion of apple due to the above force
a APPLE = 2
) (r
GM
mass
F
E

(M
) 10
24
kg
E

)
force on Earth due to Apple will be R M
earth
F
2
) (r
m GM
Apple E
apple Earth

Acceleration in the motion of earth will be: - a
Earth
=
( )
2
r
m G
Apple

o
In this way force acting on apple due to earth is numerically equal to the force on earth due to apple. The
apple comes downwards because its mass is very less in comparison to earth, hence there will be acceleration
in its motion. The same force cannot move the earth because mass of the earth is very large:
Gravitational force becomes effective in the solar bodies only because the masses are very large.
Gravitational field: -
The space around any mass in which its force of attraction is experienced by any other mass is said to be
gravitational field of mass.
Similarly, the space around the earth in which force of attraction of earth is experienced by other mass is said
to be field of gravity.
Intensity of gravitational field: -
the intensity of gravitational field at any point in the field is numerically equal to the force experienced by a
unit mass kept at the point and the direction of intensity will be along the direction of force experienced by a
unit mass or intensity of gravitational field is the force experienced by unit mass intensity is a vector
quantity. It unit is N/kg.
To calculate Intensity of gravitational Field of any point mass :-
m P
r
Unit mass
Let any mass m is kept at 0 and intensity of gravitational field of this mass is to be calculated at any point .P,
which is at a distance r from 0.
We consider a unit mass at P, then the force experience by this unit mass will be F.

E
r
Gm
F
2
) (
1
Intensity of Gravitational field.

2
) (r
Gm
E
Similarly we can calculate the intensity of field of gravity of earth at the surface of earth.
Let the mass of earth =
E
M
Radius of earth = R
Intensity of field of gravity at the surface of earth will be: -

2
) (R
Gm
E
E

----------------------------------------------(i)
Earth is taken as point mass. total mass supposed to be concentrated at center.
Acceleration due to gravity: - Consider that the mass of earth is M, radius of earth is R, center is O.Any
body of mass m is kept on the surface of earth then the force of gravity on the mass m will
be F.
F =
2
) (R
GMm
(I)
We know, F = m x a [a =
m
F
]
If we take the acceleration due to the force of gravity is g then,
F= m x g (II)
so, m x g =
2
) (R
GMm
( g =
m
F
)

2
) (R
GM
g

O
But
2
) (R
GM
= E = Intensity of gravitational field. Hence, g = E
Point about the acceleration due to gravity: -
1. The acceleration caused in the motion of any body due to the force of gravity or force of attraction of
earth is said to be acceleration due to gravity.
2. The acceleration due to gravity is numerically equal to the intensity of the field of gravity at the point.
3. The acceleration due to gravity doesnt depend on the mass of the body in which it is produced .So;
value of this acceleration will be same at the place in different bodies or different masses. (If the
feather and coin are allowed to come down freely from a height h from Earth surface, the value of
acceleration due to gravity will be same in both and both will reach the earth surface together.)
4. Value of acceleration due to gravity change from place - to - place and its value at earth surface is 9.8
2
s
m
Change in the value of g at a height h form the earth surface :-Let the mass of earth is M radius of
earth is R & center of earth is O let the value of acceleration due to gravity at earth surface is g and at a
height h from earth surface g
h
then we can write as :-
g =
2
) (R
GM
(I)

2
) ( h R
GM
g
h
+

(II)
( )
( )
( )
2
2
2
2
2
2 2
2
h
1
1
g
g

,
_

,
_

+

+

R
h
R
h
R
R
h R
R
GM
R
h R
GM
If height h is very less in comparison to R then
. 1 <<
R
h
In that case
( )
,
_

+
R
h
g g
h
2 1
=
1
]
1

R
h
g
2
1

,
_

,
_

R
h
g g
h
2
1
g
h
Will be less than g say value of acceleration due to gravity reduces
as we go

upwards from earth surface .
1. If h is small then
,
_

R
h
g g
h
2
1
.
2. If h is of the order of R then,
2
1

,
_

+
R
h
g g
h
.
3. Let h=R/2

9
4
9
4
2
3
2
1
1
2 2
g
g g g g
h

,
_

,
_

,
_

+

4. If h = R
( )
4
1 1 1
2
2
g
g
R
R
g g
h
+
,
_

5. If h=2 R then,
( )
9
2 1
2
g
g g
h
+

6. If h=60 R then,
3721 61 61
g g
g
h

,
_

As we go upwards from the earth surface forwards the moon value of g reduces up to a height h & then
afterwards the body comes in the gravitational field of moon & value of g starts increasing it becomes g/6 at
the surface of moon.
Question 1:-Any body having mass 1 kg .at the earth surface then what will be its value at the surface
of moon ?.
Ans. Mass of the body is a constant one. It remains same everywhere in the universe. Hence, its value at the
surface of moon will be 1 kg.
Question 2:- Weight of a body is 1 kg f at the earth surface .what will be its value at surface of moon?
Ans. Weight of the body will be 1/6 kgf or 1 x 9.8/6 Newton.
Change in value of g at the depth of earth surface : -
Let the mass of earth = M
radius of earth = R
Centre of earth = O
Mean density of earth = d
Let the value of acceleration due to gravity at earth surface is g and at a depth of h from earth surface
O
h
60 times to
radius of earth
is g
Now value of acceleration due to gravity at earth surface is given as: -

( )
2
R
GM
g
M = Volume x density
M =
d
,
_

3
R
3
4

so
2
3
R
3
4
R
d G
g

so g =
d
,
_

GR
3
4

Similarly value of g at the depth of h from earth surface is given as: -

( )d g h - R G
3
4
1

,
_

( )
( ) d
d
g
g

,
_

,
_

R G
3
4
h - R G
3
4
'

=
R
h R

,
_

R
r
h
R
1
gR
g
'


,
_

r
h
g 1
Thus, g
'
< g
Hence, value of acceleration due to gravity reduces as we go inside the earth.
1. If h=R/2 then

,
_

R
r
g g
2
1
'

2 2
1
1
'
g
g g
,
_

2. When h = R at the centre of earth

,
_

r
r
g g 1
'
= 0
Thus the value of g at the center of earth is zero.
1. If we keep any mass at the center of earth value of its weight will be zero.
2. We can show the variation
of g above and below the
earth surface by graph as:-
Veriation in the value of g
at earth surface :-Earth is not
exactly spherical but it is
slightly elliptical .Its polar
radius is 6372 KM and
equatorial radius is 6400 KM.
So, value of g will be
maximum at the poles and
minimum at the equator on
earth surface.
2
) (
Pole
Pole
R
GM
g
2
) (
Equation
Equation
R
GM
g
2
2
) (
) (
E
P
E
P
R
R
g
g

Change in value of g due to the rotational motion of earth:

Consider that mass of earth is M Radius R and centre of earth be O
As earth is having rotation on its own axis from west to east Let its angular speed of rotation is
Consider any body of mass m is kept at any point P on the surface of earth Position of P is given that angle
POE is .The body is kept at point P will be having circular motion with the angular speed .So, the
body will require a centripetal force for its motion .Let the centre of circular motion of body is O which is
on the axis of rotation of earth Let the radius is r
Now the centripetal force required for the circular motion of body kept at P
will be F
C

F
C
= m w
2
r (toward PO
1)
The centripetal force is produced due to force of gravity on body. Hence,
value of weight of body will reduce slightly.
If we assume that value of acceleration due to gravity at earth surface is g
and its value changes to g as rotation of earth is considered. Hence we
can write that value of weight of the body was mg when rotation is not
considered .We can write the relation between mg and mg
1
as: -
mg
1
= mg component of centripetal force (F
C)
along PO.
mg
1
= mg F
C
cos
mg
1
= mg mw
2
r

cos
g
1
= g - w
2
r

cos
Value of r in terms of R. by O P O
1
So

2 2
cos R - g g'
cos R
cos

R r
R
r
Thus, g
1
< g
So, value of acceleration due to gravity reduces due to rotation of earth.

2 2
2
cos R
Rcos '


g
g g
Where g is change in value of acceleration due to gravity
1. If
0 is
Say body is kept at equator
then
R '
2
g g
2. If

90 is
say body is kept at pole.
then g
1
=g
3. Value of acceleration due to gravity remains unchanged due to rotation of earth at poles. Maximum
change in the value of g is at equator.
4. As
sec
rad
60 60 24
2
2

T
T = 24 Hours
r = 6400 km
r =64 x 10
5
m

Inertial mass : - The mass which is measured on the basis of the property of inertia is said to be
inertial mass. If we apply any force which produces acceleration a in the motion of body , then we can
write;
F= Inertial mass x acceleration

a
F
a M F
i

i
M

Gravitational mass: -The mass which is measured on the basis of the property of gravity or attraction of
earth is said to be gravitational mass. Any body having weight equal to w. if the value of acceleration due to
gravity at earth surface is g then we can write as: -
weight =gravitational mass x Acceleration due to gravity.

g
W
M
g M W
Grav
Grav

Numerical value of both the masses is same.
Gravitational Potential Energy: - The energy associated with the body because the body is kept in
the gravitational field is said to be gravitational energy .
The energy is numerically equal to the amount of work done in carrying the body or mass from reference
position (infinity) to the particular position in gravitational field.
To calculate the gravitational Potential energy of any body when its is kept at a height of h
from earth surface. :-Consider that mass of earth is M radius of earth is R and center of earth is O
Consider any body having mass m is kept at a distance of r from O at any point A. at which gravitational
potential energy is to be determined .The value of gravitational force on mass m will be: -

2
) (r
GMm
F
The minus sign gives force is attractive.
If this body of mass m is displaced by dr in the direction of force, the amount of work done will be dw.
dw = F x dr

dr
r
GMm
dw
2
) (
The amount of work done is carrying the mass m from infinity to point A will be

r
r
dr
r
GMm
W
dw W
2
) (
A dr

r
dr r GMm W
2

r
r
GMm W

1
]
1

1
2
r

r
r
GMm W

1
]
1

1
R

r
GMm
W
Thus, Potential Energy of any mass m in gravitational field at a distance of r from the center of earth will be:
(PE)

r
GMm
U

h] R r [ +
+

h R
GMm
U
If the body is kept at earth surface then its Potential Energy will be: -

R
GMm
U
1

Change in Potential Energy when body goes from earth surface to a height h will be: -

,
_

+


R
GMm
h R
GMm
U
U U U
1

R
GMm
h R
GMm
U +
+


h R
GMm
R
GMm
U
+


,
_

+

h R R
GMm U
1 1

1
]
1

+

+

R
h
R R
GMmh
U
h R R
GMmh
U
1
) )( (
If h<<R or
0
R
h

2
R
GMmh
U
At earth surface weight of body (mg) is equal to gravitational force.

mgh U
R
Gm
g
R
GMm
mg w

2
2
) (
) (
(i) Thus, Increase in the Potential Energy of body of mass m when displaced from earth surface to a

height h will be: -

mgh U
(ii) Potential Energy of body of mass m at earth surface.

R
GMm
U
1
(iii) Potential Energy of body of mass m when kept at a height of h from earth surface will be: -
) )( (
) (
) (
h R R
GMmh
U
h R R
h
GMm U
h R R
R h R
GMm U
+

,
_

,
_

+
+


h R
GMm
U
+

2
Gravitational Potential:-
The Potential energy per unit mass is said to be gravitational Potential.
-Or-
Gravitational Potential at any point in the gravitational field is numerically equal to amount of work done in
carrying a unit mass from infinity to the point in gravitational field.
(G.P.)
m
U
V

m
r
GMm
V
V=
r
GM

To Calculate the gravitational potential at any point in the gravitational field :-

Consider that mass of earth is M, radius of earth is R, center of earth is O. consider a point A which is
at a distance of r from the center of earth where the value of gravitational potential is to be find out .
Value of gravitational potential at the point A is numerically equally to the amount of work done in
carrying a unit mass from to the point A
To calculate the amount of work done we take a position P which is at a distance. of x from center
of earth the position of P is between A and .If any unit mass is kept at P then gravitational force on it will
be.

2
) (
1
x
GM
F


=> Force is attractive.
If the unit mass is displace by a small displacement dx In the direction of F , then the amount of work
done will be dw .
dw = F x dx

2
(x)
dx GM
dw

Now the amount of work done in carrying a unit mass form to A will be W

r
r
x
GMdx
W
W
2
) (

d


r
GM
V
r
GM
W
r
GM W
x
GM W
dx x GM W
r
r


1
]
1

1
]
1

1 1
1
1
2
Relation between intensity of gravitational field & gravitational potential: -
Value of intensity of the field of gravity at a height of h from earth surface or at a distance of r =(R +h )
from center of earth will be E.

.. ..........
1
(r)
x1
2
r r
GM GM
E
.(i)
Value of gravitational potential at the point or at the height will be

r
GM
V
.(ii)
So, E =
r
V

or
dr
dV
E
dr E dV .

r
dr E V .

K E j E i E E
z y x

+ +

dr
dV
E
dz
dV
E
dy
dV
E
dx
dV
E
z y x

, ,
E = -Gradient of potential
E= Maximum rate of change of potential with distance
Intensity of gravitation field = Negative gradient of potential & Direction of E will be in which
potential is reducing.
SATELLITE: The body which revolves around any planet in a fixed Orbit is said to be natural satellite of
Planet We can divide satellites in two parts.
(1) Natural (2) Artificial
Principle of the satellite:
1. Earth is taken stationary with respect to the satellite where as it has rotation at its own axis
2. Path of the satellite is taken as circular for easier calculation but path of satellite is slightly elliptical
3. The centripetal force required for the circular motion of the satellite is produced due to the force of
gravitation between planet & satellite
G C
F F
2
2
) (r
GMm
r
mv

m = mass of satellite , r = radius of circular path of satellite , r = distance of satellite from the center of
Planet

r
GM
v
2

r
GM
v r = R+h where h is height of satellite from earth surface .

h R
GM
v
+
..(i)
v = Orbital speed of satellite.
(i) If h 0 say satellite is very close to earth surface then the weight of satellite will be

2
) (R
GMm
mg

2
gR GM .(2)
By equation (i) & (ii)

gR
R
gR
v
2
(2) When satellite is at a height of h from earth surface

h R
g
R v
h R
gR
h R
GM
v
+

2
We can give of following point about the orbital speed: -
(I ) Greater the height of the satellite from earth surface less the orbital speed of satellite
(II) Orbital speed of satellite dues not depend on the mass of satellite.
Escape Velocity: - The minimum velocity by which any body is thrown vertically upwards so that body does
not return back to the earth surface is known as escape velocity. In this body overcome the gravitational pull
of earth. The velocity is denoted by
E
v
To calculate the value of Escape velocity
E
v :-Consider that mass of earth is M, radius is R &any body
of mass m is kept on the earth surface .The body is to be escaped from earth surface. Values of
gravitational potential energy of the body of mass m at earth surface

R
GMm
U
Or
If we give energy equal to gravitational potential energy then body will go to the reference, mean position or
say at infinity or simply say the amount of energy required to send the body at will be equal to GMm /
R.
If the velocity required for escaping the body of mass mis
E
v then we can write.
K.E.=P.E. at earth surface


R
GMm
mv
E

2
2
1

2
3
3 2
2
4
GM
r
T
GM
r
T

R
GM
v
E
2

As
2
gR GM at earth Surface
So gR
R
gR
v
E
2
2
2
Where g = 9.8 m/s
2
& R = 6400 km .
m/s 10 2 . 11
3

E
v
Points About Escape Velocity
(i) It does not depend upon the mass of the body, which is escaped
(2) Escape velocity depends upon the mass and radius of the planet from where the body is escaped.
(3) Escape velocity and orbital velocity of a satellite are related as: -
gR V
ORBITAL

gR V
ESCAPE
2
2
1

ESCAPE
ORBITAL
V
V
V
ESCAPE =
2
X
V
ORBITAL
= 1.414 V
ORBITAL
The orbital velocity of any satellite revolving close to the earth surface will be .707 times the escape velocity
of the satellite V
orbit
=
. V 0.707
2
Escape

ES
V

ESTABLISH THE RELATION BETWEEN RADIUS OF ORBIT AND ORBITING TIME PERIOD
Consider the mass of earth M radius of earth R center of earth O. Let any satellite having mass
m revolving around the earth with a radius r (r = R +h), having orbital speed v.
by the PRINCIPAL OF SATELLITE
G C
F F


2
2
) (r
GMm
r
mv

Or
r
GM
V
2
..(1)
Let the orbiting time period be T then distance traveled by satellite in time T will be 2r and linear
velocity will be
T
r
v
2

..(2)
By (1) and (2)
t cons
GM r
T
r GM T
r
GM
T
r
tan
4
4
4
2
3
2
3 2 2
2
2 2

or
3 2
r T
Keplers law
As r =R+h So
2
3
) (
GM
h R
T
+

If R+h R if h is very small or satellite is close to the earth surface then GM = gR

2

2
3
2
gR
R
T


g
R
T 2
T = 5063 sec. = 84 min.
POINTS ABOUT ORBITING TIME PERIOD OF THE SATELLITE :-
(1) Orbiting time period of the satellite depends upon the height of the satellite from the earth surface more
the height more the time period .Natural satellite of earth say moon is at a height of 38 x 10
4
km from the
earth .its time period is 27 days.
(2.) Artificial satellite which are close to the earth surface, their time period is very less .For stationary or
geosatellite the time period is 24 hours and there are other satellite which complete 10 to 20 revolutions in a
day.
ENERGY OF A SATELLITE:-
If any satellite is revolving around the earth, it will be in the gravitational field of the earth, so it will
be having gravitational PE and KE. both
Let the mass of earth M Radius of earth R centre of earth O Let any satellite having mass m
revolving around the earth with a radius r ( r = R + h).Let the orbital speed of the satellite is . Then
gravitational PE of the satellite
r
GMm
U

And kinetic energy will be K
2
mv
2
1
K
Total energy of the satellite:- K U E +
=
2
mv
2
1
+

r
GMm
(1)
By principle of satellite: -
( )
2
2
r
GMm
r
mv

r
GMm
mv
2
r
GMm
mv
2 2
1
2

(2)
By (1) and (2)
r
GMm

2
1
-
r
GMm
E

2r
GMm
- E
POINTS ABOUT THE ENERGY OF THE SATELLITE:
1. Total energy of the satellite is ve , which means that the revolving satellite is in the condition of
bound state in the gravitational field. It cannot leave the orbit unless it is given extra energy,So
satellite will remain in a fixed orbit.
2. If the energy equal to the total energy of the satellite is given to it, then satellite will leave the orbit
and escapes or will go to infinity. The energy is said to be the binding energy (B.E.) of the satellite

,
_

2r
GMm
BE

3. At infinity the total energy of the satellite will be 0
4. Binding energy of any satellite is numerically equal to half of its PE and KE of the satellite
KEPLERS LAW OF PLANETERY MOTION :
1. All the planets more around the sun in an elliptical orbit having sun
at one focus
2. The position vector of a planet with respect to the sun sweeps out
equal area in equal intervals of time OR Arial velocity of a planet
always remains constant . Area of figure (POQ) = Area of figure
(ROQ)
3. Square of time of revolution of a planet around the sun is
proportional
to the cube of radius of the orbit

3 2
r T

3 2
Kr T
K
r
T

3
2
(Keplers Constant)
Newton has conclude the following points from keplers law :
1. There will be a centripetal force acting on the planet towards the sun
2. The centripetal force is directly proportional to the mass of the planet and inversely proportional to
the square of the distance between the sun and the planet
To compare the value of g at different planets :
Let mass of earth is Me and radius of earth is Re. Let the mass of another planet be Mp and radius of the
other planet is Rp .If the value of acceleration due to gravity at earth and the planet are g
e
and g
p
. Then we
can write as.-

( )
2
e
Re
GM

e
g
.. (1)
( )
2
p
Rp
GM

p
g
.. (2)
(1) (2)
R
Q
P

( )
( )
2
2
p
e
M
M

e
p
p
e
R
R
g
g

To calculated the density of earth at earth surface :
mg =
2
R
GMm
g =
( )
2
R
d V G
g =
2
3
3
4
R
d R G

g =
d R G
3
4
d =
R G 4
3g

Weight Less ness: -