Gravitation - NEET Physics Questions
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Gravitation

Question 171: easy

Assertion (A): Escape velocity of a satellite is greater than its orbital velocity.


Reason (R): Orbit of a satellite is within the gravitational field of planet whereas escaping is beyond the gravitational field of planet.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is true: escape velocity \(V_e = \sqrt{2GM/r}\) is \(\sqrt{2}\) times orbital velocity \(V_o = \sqrt{GM/r}\) for a circular orbit.


Reason (R) is false because the gravitational field extends infinitely. Escaping means overcoming the gravitational potential, not leaving the field.

Question 172: easy

Assertion (A): Comet tail points away from the sun.


Reason (R): Solar radiation vapourise the volatile materials within the comet.


 

1. Both (A) \(&\) (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) \(&\) (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

The comet tail always points away from the Sun due to solar wind and radiation pressure pushing on the sublimated material. Solar radiation does vaporize volatile materials, forming the tail, but this vaporization itself doesn't fully explain the direction. Hence, both statements are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Question 173: easy

If \(R\) is the radius of the earth and \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity on the earth surface. Then the mean density of the earth will be

1. \(\frac{3g}{4\pi RG}\)
2. \(\frac{4\pi G}{3gR}\)
3. \(\frac{\pi RG}{12g}\)
4. \(\frac{3\pi R}{4gG}\)
View Answer

We know \(g = \frac{G M}{R^2} = \frac{G}{R^2} \left(\frac{4}{3}\pi R^3 \rho\right) = \frac{4}{3}\pi RG\rho\). Solving for density, \(\rho = \frac{3g}{4\pi RG}\).

Question 174: easy

The escape velocity of a body on the earth surface is 11.2 km/s. If the same body is projected upward with velocity 22.4 km/s, the velocity of this body at infinite distance from the centre of the earth will be

1. 11.2 km/s
2. \(11.2\sqrt{3} \text{km/s}\)
3. \(11.2\sqrt{2} \text{km/s}\)
4. Zero
View Answer

By conservation of energy, \(v_{\infty} = \sqrt{v^2 - v_{\text{esc}}^2} = \sqrt{(2v_{\text{esc}})^2 - v_{\text{esc}}^2} = v_{\text{esc}}\sqrt{3} = 11.2\sqrt{3} \text{km/s}\).

Question 175: moderate

An artificial satellite is moving in a circular orbit of radius \(r\) around a planet. Total energy of satellite is \(E\). Energy required to move this satellite into a new orbit of radius \(2r\), is

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

The total energy in orbit is \(E = -\frac{GMm}{2r}\). In the new orbit of radius \(2r\), total energy is \(E' = -\frac{GMm}{4r} = \frac{E}{2}\). The required energy is \(\Delta E = E' - E = \frac{E}{2} - E = -\frac{E}{2}\).

Question 176: easy

The factors on which the escape speed from earth depend, is/are

1. The height of projection from the earth’s surface
2. Mass of object
3. Mass of earth
4. Both (1) and (3)
View Answer

Escape velocity is given by \(v_e = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R+h}}\). It depends on the mass of the earth \(M\) and the height of projection \(h\), but is independent of the mass of the projected object.

Question 177: easy

Which of the following statements are true about acceleration due to gravity (g)? (where symbols have their usual meaning)?

1. g will not change at poles if earth stops rotating on its axis
2. The value of acceleration due to gravity decreases as we move away from surface of earth
3. The value of acceleration due to gravity decreases as we move from surface towards centre of earth
4. All of these
View Answer

All statements are correct. Rotation does not affect gravity at the poles, and gravity decreases both above and below the surface of the Earth.

Question 178: easy

Two bodies each of mass \( 1\text{ kg}\) are placed \( 2\text{ m}\) apart. Gravitational potential energy of the system is (Assume potential energy to be zero at infinity)

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

The gravitational potential energy of a two-body system is given by \( U = -\frac{G m_1 m_2}{r} \). Substituting \( m_1 = m_2 = 1\text{ kg} \) and \( r = 2\text{ m} \), we get \( U = -\frac{G}{2} \).

Question 179: easy

Three equal masses of \(3\text{ kg}\) each are fixed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC. The gravitational force acting on mass \(2\text{ kg}\) placed at the centroid of triangle is

1. Zero
2. \(6.67 * 10^{-3}\) N
3. \(9 * 10^{-9}\) N
4. Data is insufficient
View Answer

Due to perfect symmetric distribution, the three gravitational pull forces on the mass at the centroid are equal in magnitude and separated by \(120^circ\), resulting in a net vector sum of zero.

Question 180: moderate

A rocket is fired vertically with a speed half of the escape speed from the earth’s surface. How far from the earth does the rocket go before returning to the earth? [Given mean radius of earth is \(R\)]

1. R/3 from earth’s centre
2. 4R/3 from the earth’s surface
3. 4R/3 from the earth’s centre
4. 7R/3 from the earth’s surface
View Answer

Using conservation of energy: \(-\frac{GMm}{R} + \frac{1}{2}m v^2 = -\frac{GMm}{r}\). Putting \(v = \frac{v_e}{2} = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{2R}}\) yields \(r = \frac{4R}{3}\), which is the distance from the earth's centre.