Gravitation - NEET Physics Questions
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Gravitation

Question 91: easy

Two satellites S and S’ revolve around the earth at distances \(3R\) and \(6R\) from the centre of earth. Their periods of revolution will be in the ratio

1. 1 : 2
2. 2 : 1
3. 1 : \(2^{1.5}\)
4. 1 : \(2^{0.67}\)
View Answer

Using Kepler's Third Law, \(T^2 \propto r^3 \Rightarrow \frac{T_1}{T_2} = \left(\frac{r_1}{r_2}\right)^{3/2} = \left(\frac{3R}{6R}\right)^{3/2} = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{1.5} = \frac{1}{2^{1.5}}\). Hence, the ratio is 1 : \(2^{1.5}\).

Question 92: easy

A satellite revolves around a planet in an elliptical orbit of minor and major axes \(a\) and \(b\) respectively. If T be the time period of the satellite, then \(T^2\) is proportional to

1. \(\left(\frac{a+b}{2}\right)^3\)
2. \(\left(\frac{a-b}{2}\right)^3\)
3. \(a^3\)
4. \(b^3\)
View Answer

According to Kepler's Third Law, \(T^2\) is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis. Since the major axis is given as \(b\), the semi-major axis is \(b/2\), making \(T^2 \propto b^3\).

Question 93: easy

A planet of mass \(m\) is moving in an elliptical orbit about the sun with time period \(T\). If \(A\) be the area of orbit, then its angular momentum would be :

1. \(\frac{2mA}{T}\)
2. \(mAT\)
3. \(\frac{mA}{2T}\)
4. \(2mAT\)
View Answer

According to Kepler's second law, the areal velocity of the planet is constant and is given by \(\frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{L}{2m}\). Integrating over one time period \(T\) gives \(A = \frac{L}{2m} T ⇒ L = \frac{2mA}{T}\).

Question 94: easy

For energy of satellite, match the columns (symbols have their respective meaning):

**Column-I**
(i) Kinetic energy
(ii) Potential energy
(iii) Total energy

**Column-II**
(p) \(\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\)
(q) \(-\frac{L^2}{mr^2}\)
(r) \(-\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\)

1. (1) i-q ; ii-p ; iii-r
2. (2) i-p ; ii-r ; iii-q
3. (3) i-p ; ii-q ; iii-r
4. (4) i-r ; ii-q ; iii-p
View Answer

Kinetic energy \(K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\) (since \(L = mvr\)). Potential energy \(U = -\frac{GMm}{r} = -\frac{L^2}{mr^2}\). Total energy \(E = K + U = -\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}\). Thus (i)-p, (ii)-q, (iii)-r.

Question 95: easy

Assertion : If rotation of earth about its own axis is suddenly stopped then acceleration due to gravity will increase at all places on the earth (except poles).


Reason : At height \(h\) from the surface of earth, acceleration due to gravity is \(g_h = g \left(1 – \frac{2h}{R_e}\right)\) (If \(h \ll R_e\)) [\(R_e \rightarrow\) radius of earth]


 

1. Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
2. Assertion is true but Reason is false.
3. Assertion is false but Reason is true.
4. Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
View Answer

The effective gravity is \(g' = g - \omega^2 R \cos^2\lambda\). If rotation stops (\(\omega = 0\)), \(g'\) increases everywhere except the poles (where \(\lambda = 90^\circ\)). Thus Assertion is true. The Reason is also a true independent formula for gravity at a height, but not the explanation.

Question 96: easy

The gravitational field in a region is given by \(vec{I} = 10(\hat{i} + \hat{j})\text{ N/kg}\). The work done by gravitational field to shift a particle of mass \(2\text{ kg}\) from position \((0,0)\) to \((5, 4)\) will be :

1. \(100\text{ J}\)
2. \(180\text{ J}\)
3. \(80\text{ J}\)
4. \(20\text{ J}\)
View Answer

The force is \(\vec{F} = mvec{I} = 2 \times 10(\hat{i} + \hat{j}) = 20\hat{i} + 20\hat{j}\text{ N}\). Displacement is \(\vec{d} = 5\hat{i} + 4\hat{j}\text{ m}\). Work done \(W = \vec{F} \cdot \vec{d} = (20)(5) + (20)(4) = 180\text{ J}\).

Question 97: moderate

Two bodies, each of mass \(M\), are kept fixed with a separation \(2L\). A particle of mass \(m\) is projected from the mid-point of the line joining their centres, perpendicular to the line. The gravitational constant is \(G\). The correct statement(s) is (are) :


(a) The minimum initial velocity of the mass \(m\) to escape the gravitational field of the two bodies is \(4\sqrt{\frac{GM}{L}}\)


(b) The minimum initial velocity of the mass \(m\) to escape the gravitational field of the two bodies is \(2\sqrt{\frac{GM}{L}}\)


(c) The minimum initial velocity of the mass \(m\) to escape the gravitational field of the two bodies is \(\sqrt{\frac{2GM}{L}}\)


(d) The energy of the mass \(m\) remains constant


 

1. a, b
2. b, d
3. a, c
4. a, d
View Answer

At the midpoint, potential energy is \(U = -\frac{2GMm}{L}\). For escaping to infinity, total mechanical energy must be at least 0:

\(\frac{1}{2}mv^2 - \frac{2GMm}{L} = 0 ⇒ v = 2\sqrt{\frac{GM}{L}}\). Mechanical energy remains conserved as only gravity acts.

Question 98: easy

The gravitational potential energy of a body of mass \(m\) at the earth’s surface is \(-mgR_e\). Its gravitational potential energy at a height \(R_e\) from the earth’s surface will be (Here \(R_e\) is the radius of the earth)

1. \(-2mgR_e\)
2. \(2mgR_e\)
3. \(\frac{mgR_e}{2}\)
4. \(\frac{-mgR_e}{2}\)
View Answer

At the surface, \(U_s = -\frac{GMm}{R_e} = -mgR_e\). At a height \(h = R_e\), the distance from the center is \(r = 2R_e\). Thus, \(U_h = -\frac{GMm}{2R_e} = \frac{-mgR_e}{2}\).

Question 99: easy

Two identical satellites are at height \(R\) and \(7R\) from earth surface, the ratio of their kinetic energies will be :

1. \(2\)
2. \(1\)
3. \(4\)
4. Infinite
View Answer

Kinetic energy of a satellite is \(K = \frac{GMm}{2r}\). Here \(r_1 = R + R = 2R\) and \(r_2 = R + 7R = 8R\). The ratio \(frac{K_1}{K_2} = \frac{r_2}{r_1} = \frac{8R}{2R} = 4\).

Question 100: easy

The weight of a body at a distance \(r\) (\(r > R\)) from the centre of earth is \(W\). The weight at a distance \(2r\) from the centre of earth is : (\(R \rightarrow\) Radius of earth)

1. \(\frac{W}{3}\)
2. \(\frac{W}{4}\)
3. \(\frac{W}{2}\)
4. \(\frac{W}{6}\)
View Answer

Outside the earth, weight \(W \propto \frac{1}{r^2}\). When distance is doubled to \(2r\), the weight becomes \(\frac{1}{2^2} = \frac{1}{4}\) of its initial value, i.e., \(\frac{W}{4}\).