Rankers Physics
Topic: Gravitation
Subtopic: Newton's Law of Gravitation

If the gravitational force between two objects were proportional to $\frac{1}{R}$ (and not as $\frac{1}{R^2}$), where R is the distance between them, then a particle in a circular path (under such a force) would have its orbital speed v, proportional to:

(1994, 89)

$R$
$R^0$ (independent of R)
$\frac{1}{R^2}$
$\frac{1}{R}$

Solution:

Centripetal force is provided by the given gravitational force: $$\frac{mv^2}{R} = \frac{k}{R}$$.

Solving for $v$, we get $v^2 = \frac{k}{m}$.nSince $k$ and $m$ are constants, $v$ is independent of $R$, meaning $v \propto R^0$.

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