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, \(U_h = -\frac{GMm}{2R_e} = \frac{-mgR_e}{2}\).
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., \(\frac{W}{4}\).
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.
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.