Gravitation 133

Chapter

8
Gravitation
separated by a distance r exert on each other is given
Introduction
m1 m2
N ewton at the age of twenty-three is said to have by F
seen an apple falling down from tree in his orchid. This r2
was the year 1665. He started thinking about the role of
m1m2
earth's attraction in the motion of moon and other or FG
heavenly bodies. r2
Vector form : According to Newton's law of
gravitation
 Gm1m2
F 12  r̂21
r2 r̂12 = unit vector from A to B
 Gm1m2  Gm1m2r̂ 21 = unit vector from B to A,
 3
r21  
r
21
r | r21| 3 F 12 = gravitational force
exerted on body A by
Fig. 8.1 Here negative sign indicates that the direction of
body B

By comparing the acceleration due to gravity due
to earth with the acceleration required to keep the
F 12 is opposite to that of r̂21
.
F 21 = gravitational force
moon in its orbit around the earth, he was able to arrive  Gm1m2 exerted on body B by
the Basic Law of Gravitation. Similarly F 21  2
r̂12 body A
r
Newton's law of Gravitation  Gm1m2   Gm1m2 
 r12  
r12
Newton's law of gravitation states that every body r3 | r12| 3

in this universe attracts every other body with a force,

which is directly proportional to the product of their Gm1m2
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the  ˆ12  r
r̂21 [ r ˆ21]
distance between their centres. The direction of the
r2
force is along the line joining the particles.
 It is clear that
 
F 12 = – F 21 . Which is
Thus the magnitude of the gravitational force F
Newton's third law of motion.
that two particles of masses m1 and m2 are
Here G is constant of proportionality which is
A   B called 'Universal gravitational constant'.
F F
12 21
m1 m2 If m1  m2 and r  1 then G  F
r
Fig. 8.2
 134 Gravitation
i.e. universal gravitational constant is equal to the
force of attraction between two bodies each of unit m1 m2 m1 m2
mass whose centres are placed unit distance apart.
r
(i) The value of G in the laboratory was first r=?
determined by Cavendish using the torsional balance. Fig. 8.3
(ii) The value of G is 6.67×10–11 N–m2 kg–2 in S.I. But if the two bodies are uniform spheres then the
and 6.67×10–8 dyne- cm2-g–2 in C.G.S. system. separation r may be taken as the distance between their
centres because a sphere of uniform mass behave as a
(iii) Dimensional formula [M 1L3T 2] . point mass for any point lying outside it.
(iv) The value of G does not depend upon the Acceleration Due to Gravity
nature and size of the bodies.
The force of attraction exerted by the earth on a
(v) It also does not depend upon the nature of the
body is called gravitational pull or gravity.
medium between the two bodies.
We know that when force acts on a body, it
(vi) As G is very small, hence gravitational forces
produces acceleration. Therefore, a body under the
are very small, unless one (or both) of the mass is huge.
effect of gravitational pull must accelerate.
Properties of Gravitational Force The acceleration produced in the motion of a body
under the effect of gravity is called acceleration due to
(1) It is always attractive in nature while electric gravity, it is denoted by g.
and magnetic force can be attractive or repulsive. Consider a body of mass m is lying on the surface
(2) It is independent of the medium between the of earth then gravitational force on the body is given by
particles while electric and magnetic force depend on
the nature of the medium between the particles. GMm
F  …(i)
(3) It holds good over a wide range of distances. It R2
is found true for interplanetary to inter atomic
Where M = mass of the earth and R = radius of
distances.
the earth.
(4) It is a central force i.e. acts along the line
joining the centres of two interacting bodies. If g is the acceleration due to gravity, then the
force on the body due to earth is given by
(5) It is a two-body interaction i.e. gravitational
force between two particles is independent of the Force = mass  acceleration
presence or absence of other particles; so the principle
of superposition is valid i.e. force on a particle due to or F = mg …(ii) m
number of particles is the resultant of forces due to
GMm mg
   
individual particles i.e. F  F  F  F  ........ From (i) and (ii) we have mg  R
1 2 3 R2
Earth
While nuclear force is many body interaction
GM
(6) It is the weakest force in nature : As Fnuclear > F  g …(iii) Fig. 8.4
R2
electromagnetic > F gravitational .

(7) The ratio of gravitational force to electrostatic G 4 3 

 g  R  
force between two electrons is of the order of 1043 . R2  3 
(8) It is a conservative force i.e. work done by it is
4
path independent or work done in moving a particle [As mass (M) = volume ( R3 ) × density ()]
round a closed path under the action of gravitational 3
force is zero.
4
(9) It is an action reaction pair i.e. the force with  g GR …(iv)
which one body (say earth) attracts the second body (say 3
moon) is equal to the force with which moon attracts the
GM 4
earth. This is in accordance with Newton's third law of (i) From the expression g 2
 GR it is
motion. R 3
clear that its value depends upon the mass radius and
Note :  The law of gravitation is stated density of planet and it is independent of mass, shape
for two point masses, therefore for any two arbitrary and density of the body placed on the surface of the
finite size bodies, as shown in the figure, It can not be planet. i.e. a given planet (reference body) produces
applied as there is not unique value for the separation.
same acceleration in a light as well as heavy body.
 Gravitation 135
(ii) The greater the value of (M / R 2) or R,  R 
2
From (i) and (ii) g' g  …(iii)
greater will be value of g for that planet.  R  h
(iii) Acceleration due to gravity is a vector quantity
and its direction is always towards the centre of the
R2
=g …(iv)
planet. r2
(iv) Dimension [g] = [LT–2] [As r = R + h]

(v) it’s average value is taken to be 9.8 m/s2 or (i) As we go above the surface of the earth, the
981 cm/sec2 or 32 feet/sec2, on the surface of the earth 1
at mean sea level. value of g decreases because g  .
r2
(vi) The value of acceleration due to gravity
vary due to the following factors : (a) Shape of the
(ii) If r then g  0 , i.e., at infinite distance

earth, (b) Height above the earth surface, (c) Depth from the earth, the value of g becomes zero.
below the earth surface and (d) Axial rotation of the (iii) If h  R i.e., height is negligible in
earth. comparison to the radius then from equation (iii) we get

Variation in g Due to Shape of Earth  R 

2
 h
2
g  g   g 1  
Earth is elliptical in gp  R  h  R
shape. It is flattened at the  2h
 g1  [As h  R ]
R 
poles and bulged out at the Rp
equator. The equatorial radius ge 
Re
is about 21 km longer than (iv) If h  R then decrease in the value of g with
GM height :
polar radius, from g Fig. 8.5
R2 2hg
Absolute decrease g  g  g 
GM R
At equator ge  …(i)
Re2 g g  g 2h
Fractional decrease  
GM g g R
At poles gp  …(ii)
Rp2 g 2h
Percentage decrease  100%   100%
2
g R
ge Rp
From (i) and (ii)  2 Variation in g With Depth
gp Re
Acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the
earth
Since Requator Rpole
GM 4
 gpole  gequator and gp  ge  0.018 ms2 g 2
 GR …(i)
R 3
Therefore the weight of body increases as it is Acceleration due to gravity at depth d from the
taken from equator to the pole. surface of the earth g
d
4 P g
g  G(R  d) R
…(ii)
r
Variation in g With Height 3
O
Acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the  d
earth From (i) and (ii) g  g1  
 R 
GM Fig. 8.7
g 2
…(i)
R (i) The value of g decreases on going below the
surface of the earth. From equation (ii) we get
Acceleration due to gravity at height h from the
surface of the earth
g  (R  d) .
g
h So it is clear that if d increase, the value of g
GM decreases.
g'  …(ii) r g
(R  h)2
R
O

Fig. 8.6
 136 Gravitation

d R
i.e., there is no effect of rotational motion of the
(ii) At the centre of earth earth on the value of g at the poles.

 g  0 , i.e., the acceleration due to gravity at the (ii) Substituting   0o in the above expression
centre of earth becomes zero.
(iii) Decrease in the value of g with depth we get geqator g   2R cos2 0o
dg
Absolute decrease g  g  g  2
R  gequator g   R …(ii)
g g  g d i.e., the effect of rotation of earth on the value of
Fractional decrease  
g g R g at the equator is maximum.
g d From equation (i) and (ii)
Percentage decrease  100%   100%
g R gpole  gequator R 2  0.034m/ s2
(iv) The rate of decrease of gravity outside the
earth ( if h  R ) is double to that of inside the earth. (iii) When a body of mass m is moved from the
equator to the poles, its weight increases by an amount
Variation in g Due to Rotation of Earth
m(gp  ge )  m 2R
As the earth rotates, a 
body placed on its surface (iv) Weightlessness due to rotation of earth : As we
moves along the circular path P
r Fc know that apparent weight of the body decreases due to

and hence experiences mg mg rotation of earth. If  is the angular velocity of rotation of
centrifugal force, due to it, the earth for which a body at the equator will become
apparent weight of the body weightless
decreases.
Since the magnitude of g  g   2R cos2 
Fig. 8.8
centrifugal force varies with the
 0  g   2R cos2 0o [As   0o for equator]
latitude of the place, therefore the apparent weight of
the body varies with latitude due to variation in the  g   2R  0
magnitude of centrifugal force on the body.
 g
 
If the body of mass m lying at point P, whose R

latitude is , then due to rotation of earth its apparent or time period of rotation of earth
2 R
weight can be given by mg  mg Fc T

 2
g
or
Substituting the value of R  6400 103 m and
2 2
mg  180  )
(mg)  (Fc )  2mg Fc cos(
g  10m/ s2 we get

mg  (mg)2  (m 2R cos )2  2mgm 2R cos ( cos ) 1 rad
  1.25 10 3 and
[As Fc  m 2r  m 2R cos ] 800 sec
T  5026
.5 sec 1.40 hr.
By solving we get g  g   2R cos2 
1
Note :  The latitude at a point on the Note :  This time is about
17
surface of the earth is defined as the angle, which the
times the present time period of earth. Therefore if
line joining that point to the centre of earth makes with
earth starts rotating 17 times faster then all objects on
equatorial plane. It is denoted by  . equator will become weightless.
 For the poles   90o and for equator  If earth stops rotation about its own axis
 0 o
then at the equator the value of g increases by  2R
(i) Substituting   90o in the above expression and consequently the weight of body lying there
increases by m 2R .
2 2 o
we get gpole  g   R cos 90  After considering the effect of rotation
and elliptical shape of the earth, acceleration due to
gravity at the poles and equator are related as
 gpole  g …(i)
 Gravitation 137

gp  ge  0.034 0.018m/ s2 (vii) When a body moves with velocity v, its

inertial mass is given by
 gp  ge  0.052m/ s2
m0
Mass and Density of Earth m
v2 , where m0 = rest mass of body, c =
Newton’s law of gravitation can be used to 1
estimate the mass and density of the earth. c2
velocity of light in vacuum,
GM gR2
As we know g , so we have M  (2) Gravitational Mass : It is the mass of the
R2 G material of body, which determines the gravitational pull
 acting upon it.
If M is the mass of the earth and R is the radius,
9.8  (6.4  106 )2 24 25
M  5.98 10 kg  10 kg then gravitational pull on a body of mass mg is given
6.67 1011
by
4
and as we know g  GR , so we have GMmg F F
3 F or mg  2

R 2 GM /R I
3g
 Here mg is the gravitational mass of the body, if
4GR
 I  1 then mg  F

3  9.8 Thus the gravitational mass of a body is defined as

  5478.4 kg/ m3 the gravitational pull experienced by the body in a
4  3.14  6.67 1011  6.4  106 gravitational field of unit intensity,
(3) Comparison between inertial and
Inertial and Gravitational Masses gravitational mass

(1) Inertial mass : It is the mass of the material (i) Both are measured in the same units.
of the body, which measures its inertia. (ii) Both are scalar.
If an external force F acts on a body of mass mi, (iii) Both do not depend on the shape and state of
then according to Newton’s second law of motion the body
F (iv) Inertial mass is measured by applying
F  mia or mi 
a Newton’s second law of motion where as gravitational
mass is measured by applying Newton’s law of
Hence inertial mass of a body may be measured gravitation.
as the ratio of the magnitude of the external force
(v) Spring balance measure gravitational mass and
applied on it to the magnitude of acceleration produced
inertial balance measure inertial mass.
in its motion.
(4) Comparison between mass and weight of
(i) It is the measure of ability of the body to oppose
the body
the production of acceleration in its motion by an external
force. Mass (m) Weight (W)
(ii) Gravity has no effect on inertial mass of the It is a quantity of matter It is the attractive force
body. contained in a body. exerted by earth on any
(iii) It is proportional to the quantity of matter body.
contained in the body. Its value does not Its value changes with g.
change with g
(iv) It is independent of size, shape and state of
body. Its value can never be At infinity and at the
zero for any material centre of earth its value
(v) It does not depend on the temperature of body. particle. is zero.
(vi) It is conserved when two bodies combine Its unit is kilogram and Its unit is Newton or kg-
physically or chemically. its dimension is [M]. wt and dimension are [
MLT 2 ]
 138 Gravitation
It is determined by a
physical balance.
It is a scalar quantity.
Gravitational Field
It is determined by a (vii) Intensity at a given point (P) due to the
spring balance. combined effect of different point masses can be
calculated by vector sum of different intensities
It is a vector quantity.
I net  I1  I 2  I 3  ........
(viii) Point of zero intensity : If two bodies A and B

The space surrounding a material body in which

gravitational force of attraction can be experienced is
of different masses m1 and
called its gravitational field.
m2 are d distance apart.
Gravitational field intensity : The intensity of
the gravitational field of a material body at any point in Let P be the point of zero intensity i.e., the
its field is defined as the force experienced by a unit intensity at this point is equal and opposite due to two
mass (test mass) placed at that point, provided the unit bodies A and B and if any test mass placed at this
mass (test mass) itself does not produce any change in point it will not experience dany force.
the field of the body.
A P B
x d–x
So if a test mass m at a point in a gravitational
field experiences a force F then m1 I1 I2 m2
Fig.
F 8.11
I 
m For point P, I1  I 2  0 
Gm1

Gm2
0
x2 (d  x)2

(i) It is a vector quantity and is always directed

towards the centre of gravity of body whose m1 d
By solving x and
gravitational field is considered. m1  m2
(ii) Units : Newton/kg or m/s2
m2 d
(iii) Dimension : [M0LT–2] (d  x) 
(iv) If the field is produced by a point mass m1  m2

M and the test mass m is at a distance r (ix) Gravitational field line is a line, straight or
curved such that a unit mass placed in the field of
another mass would always move along this line. Field
TestGMm
mass
from it then by Newton’s law of gravitation F , lines for an isolated mass m are radially inwards.
r m r2
then intensity of gravitational field
M m
F GMm/ r 2 Source
I  point Fig. 8.9
m m
Fig.
GM
 I 8.12
GM
r2 (x) As I 
GM
r2 and also g
R2
(v) As the distance (r) of test mass from the point
 I  g
mass (M ) , increases, intensity of gravitational M field
2
M1 I1 Thus the intensity of gravitational field at a point
decreases I 2
in the field is equal to acceleration of test mass placed
GM I3 at that point.
I 2
;
r M3 Gravitational Field Intensity for Different Bodies
1 Fig. (1) Intensity due to uniform solid sphere
 I 2
8.10
r R

(vi) Intensity of gravitational field

I0
I

, when r. GM/R 2

r
O r=R
Fig.
8.13
 Gravitation 139

Outside the On the Inside the shifting a test mass from some reference point (usually
surface surface surface at infinity) to the given point i.e.,

r>R r=R r<R W F.dr

V      I .dr [As
GM GM GMr m m
I 2 I I
r R2 R3 F
I]
(2) Intensity due to spherical shell m
dV
R  I 
dr

i.e., negative gradient of potential gives

intensity of field or potential is a scalar function of
I
position whose space derivative gives intensity.
Negative sign indicates that the direction of intensity is
r
in the direction where the potential decreases.
O r=R
Fig. (i) It is a scalar quantity because it is defined as
8.14 work done per unit mass.
Outside the On the Inside the
(ii) Unit : Joule/kg or m2/sec2
surface surface surface
(iii) Dimension : [M0L2T–2]
r>R r=R r<R
I=0 (iv) If the field is produced by a point mass then
GM GM
I 2 I V    I dr
r R2
(3) Intensity due to uniform circular ring
 GM 
     dr [As
a  r2 
P I
GM
r I ]
r2
GM
Fig.  V c [Here c = constant of
8.15
r
At a point on its At the centre of the integration]
axis ring Assuming reference point at  and potential to
GMr I=0 be zero there we get
I GM
(a2  r 2)3 / 2 0   c c  0

(4) Intensity due to uniform disc GM
 Gravitational potential V  
r
a
P  I (v) Gravitational potential difference : It is defined
r as the work done to move a unit mass from one point to
the other in the gravitational field. The gravitational
potential difference in bringing unit test mass m from
Fig. point A to point B under the gravitational influence of
At a point on its axis8.16 At the centre of the source mass M is
disc
I
2GMr  1
 
1 
 I=0 VA VB
a2  r r 2  a2 

M m m
2GM A B
or I  (1  cos ) rA
a2 rB
Fig.
Gravitational Potential 8.17
W  1 1
 V  VB  VA  AB  GM   
At a point in a gravitational field potential V is m  rB rA 

defined as negative of work done per unit mass in (vi) Potential due to large numbers of particle is
given by scalar addition of all the potentials. M 2
M1 r1 r2
P
r5
M5 r4 r3
M4 M3

Fig.
8.18
 140 Gravitation
V  V1  V2  V3  .......... Outside On the Inside the
the surface surface
GM GM GM surface
   ........ r=R r<R
r1 r2 r3 r>R

in M GM GM  GM   r 

2
V Vsurface V 3    
 G  i
r R 2R   R  
i 1 ri 
at the centre (r =
Gravitational Potential for Different Bodies 0)
(1) Potential due to uniform ring 3 GM
Vcentre
2 R
a (max.)
P Vcentre =
r
3
Vsurface
2
Fig.
8.19 Gravitational Potential Energy
At a point on its axis At the centre
The gravitational potential energy of a body at a
GM V  
GM point is defined as the amount of work done in bringing
V a
the body from infinity to that point against the
a2  r 2 gravitational force.
r
r GMm  1 M
(2) Potential due to spherical shell
W 
 x2
dx  GMm 
 x 
r m

GMm Fig.
R W
r 8.22

This work done is stored inside the body as its

V gravitational potential energy
r=R r
O GMm
U  
– GM/R
r
Fig. (i) Potential energy is a scalar quantity.
8.20
(ii) Unit : Joule
Outside the On the Inside the
(iii) Dimension : [ML2T–2]
surface surface surface
(iv) Gravitational potential energy is always
r>R r=R r<R negative in the gravitational field because the force is
GM GM GM always attractive in nature.
V V V
r R R (v) As the distance r increases, the gravitational
potential energy becomes less negative i.e., it
(3) Potential due to uniform solid sphere increases.
(vi) If r then it becomes zero (maximum)
R (vii) In case of discrete distribution of masses
Gravitational potential energy
V  Gm1m2 Gm2m3 
O
r=R
r U   ui      ........
 r12 r23 
–
3GM/2R Fig. (viii) If the body of mass m is moved from a point
8.21 at a distance r1 to a point at distance r2(r1  r2 )
 Gravitation 141
then change in potential energy  n 
(ii) If h  nR then W  mgR 
r2 GMm 1 1  n  1
U  r1 x2 dx  GMm r  r 
 2 1
1
(iii) If h  R then W  mgR
1 1 2
or U  GMm  
 r1 r2  (iv) If h is very small as compared to radius of
the earth then term h/ R can be neglected
As r1 is greater than r2 , the
From W 
mgh
 mgh
change in potential energy of the body will be negative. 1  h/ R
It means that if a body is brought closer to earth it's  h 
potential energy decreases.  As R  0
 
(ix) Relation between gravitational potential
Escape Velocity
GMm  GM 
energy and potential U    m  The minimum velocity with which a body must be
r  r 
projected up so as to enable it to just overcome the
gravitational pull, is known as escape velocity.

U  mV The work done to displace a body from the surface
of earth (r = R) to infinity ( r   ) is
(x) Gravitational potential energy at the centre of
earth relative to infinity.  GMm 1 1
W  R dx  GMm  
2
x   R 
 3 GM 
U centre mVcentre  m  
 2 R  GMm
 W
3 GMm R

2 R This work required to project the body so as to
escape the gravitational pull is performed on the body
(xi) Gravitational potential energy of a body at
by providing an equal amount of kinetic energy to it at
height h from the earth surface is given by
the surface of the earth.
GMm gR2m mgR

If ve is the required escape velocity, then kinetic

Uh    
R h Rh h
1
R

Work Done Against Gravity 1

energy which should be given to the body is mve2
If the body of mass m is moved from the 2
surface of earth to a point at distance h above the 
1 2 GMm
2
mve 
R v 
e
2GM
R
surface of earth, then change in potential energy or
work done against gravity will be  ve  2gR [As

1
W  U  GMm  
1 GM  gR2 ]s
 r1 r2 
4 8
or ve  2 GR  R  ve  R G
1 1  3 3
 W  GMm   [As r1  R and
 R R  h [As
4
r2  R  h ] g
3
GR ]

(i) Escape velocity is independent of the mass and

GMmh mgh direction of projection of the body.
W  GM
  h h [As  g] (ii) Escape velocity depends on the reference body.
R21   1 R2
 R  R
(i) When the distance h is not negligible and is
Greater the value of (M / R) or (gR) for a

comparable to radius of the earth, then we will use above planet, greater will be escape velocity.
formula.
 142 Gravitation
(iii) For the earth as g  9.8m/ s2 and  v  v2  ve2
R  6400km
i.e, the body will move in interplanetary or inter
6
 ve  2  9.8  6.4  10  11.2km/ sec stellar space with velocity v2  ve2 .
(iv) A planet will have atmosphere if the velocity of (viii) Energy to be given to a stationary object on the
 surface of earth so that its total energy becomes zero, is
3RT 
molecule in its atmosphere vrms   is lesser called escape energy.
 M 
Total energy at the surface of the earth
than escape velocity. This is why earth has atmosphere
GMm
 KE  PE  0 
(as at earth vrms  ve ) while moon has no atmosphere R
GMm
(as at moon vrms  ve )
 Escape energy 
R
(v) If a body projected with velocity lesser than (ix) If the escape velocity of a body is equal to the
velocity of light then from such bodies nothing can
escape velocity ( v  ve ), it will reach a certain
escape, not even light. Such bodies are called black
maximum height and then may either move in an orbit holes.
around the planet or may fall down back to the planet.
The radius of a black hole is given as
(vi) Maximum height attained by body : Let a
2GM
projection velocity of body (mass m ) is v , so that it R
attains a maximum height h . At maximum height, the C2
velocity of particle is zero, so kinetic energy is zero. 2GM
[As C  , where C is the velocity of
By the law of conservation of energy R
Total energy at surface = Total energy at height light]
h. Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion
GMm 1 GMm Planets are large natural bodies rotating around a
  mv2   0
R 2 Rh star in definite orbits. The planetary system of the star
sun called solar system consists of nine planets, viz.,
v2 1 1  GMh
  GM     Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
2  R R  h R(R  h) Neptune and Pluto. Out of these planets Mercury is the
smallest and closest to the sun and so hottest. Jupiter is
2GM R  h R largest and has maximum moons (12). Venus is closest
 2
  1
v R h h to Earth and brightest. Kepler after a life time study,
work out three empirical laws which govern the motion
R R of these planets and are known as Kepler’s laws of
h  2  v2  planetary motion. These are,
  2GM  ve  R  2 2
 2  1 1  ve  v 
 (1) The law of Orbits : Every planet moves
 v R  v2
around the sun in an elliptical orbit with sun at one of
the foci.
2GM 2GM (2) The law of Area : The line joining the sun to
[As ve   R
 ve2 ] the planet sweeps out equal areas in equal interval of
R
time. i.e. areal velocity is constant. According to this law
(vii) If a body is projected with velocity greater planet will move slowly when it is farthest from sun and
than escape velocity (v  ve ) then by conservation of more rapidly when it is nearest to sun. It is similar to law
energy. of conservation of angular momentum.
Total energy at surface = Total energy at infinite dA 1 r(vdt) 1
Areal velocity    rv
1 GMm 1 dt 2 dt 2
mv2   m(v)2  0
2 R 2 Sun
dA L
 
2 2 2GM dt 2m dA v dt
i.e., (v)  v   v'2  v2  ve2 [As r
R
L
2GM [As L  mvr; rv  ] Fig.
 ve2 ] m 8.23
R
 Gravitation 143
(3) The law of periods : The square of period of
revolution (T ) of any planet around sun is directly
proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of the
orbit.
3
r r 
2
T 2  a3 or T  1 2
 2 
Velocity of a Planet in Terms of Eccentricity
Proof : From the figure AB  AF  FB
Applying the law of conservation of angular
r1  r2 momentum at perigee and apogee
2a  r1  r2 a
2 mvprp  mvara
E

Perigee Apogee vp ra a  c 1  e
Sun F r2    
A C a B va rp a  c 1  e
r1
[As rp  a  c, ra  a  c and eccentricity
D
Fig. c
8.24 e ]
where a = semi-major axis a
r1  Shortest distance of planet from sun Applying the conservation of mechanical energy at
(perigee). perigee and apogee

r2  Largest distance of planet from sun 1 2 GMm 1 2 GMm

mvp   mva 
(apogee). 2 rp 2 ra
Important data
2 2
1 1
 vp  va  2GM   
Planet Semi- Period 2
T /a 3 r
 p ra

major T(year) (10–34
axis year2/meter3)  ra2  rp2  r  r 
a (10 10
 va  2
2
  2GM  a p  [As
meter)  rp   rarp 
Mercur 5.79 0.241 2.99
y vara
vp  ]
Venus 10.8 0.615 3.00 rp
Earth 15.0 1.00 2.96
Mars 22.8 1.88 2.98 2 2GM  rp 
 va   
Jupiter 77.8 11.9 3.01 ra  rp  ra 
Saturn 143 29.5 2.98
2 GM  a  c  GM  1  e 
Uranus 287 84.0 2.98 va2     
a  a c  a  1 e 
Neptun 450 165 2.99
e Thus the speeds of planet at apogee and perigee
Pluto 590 248 2.99 are

Note : Kepler's laws are valid for va 

GM  1  e 
 ,
satellites also.
Solar System a  1 e 

GM  1  e 
vp   
a  1 e 

Note ::  The gravitational force is a central

force so torque on planet relative to sun is always zero,
hence angular momentum of a planet or satellite is
always constant irrespective of shape of orbit.

Fig.
8.25
 144 Gravitation
Some Properties of the Planet

Mercur Venu Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranu Neptun Plut

y s s e o
Mean distacne from 57.9 108 150 228 778 1430 2870 4500 5900
sun, 106 km
Period of revolution, 0.241 0.615 1.00 1.88 11.9 29.5 84.0 165 248
year
Orbital speed, km/s 47.9 35.0 29.8 24.1 13.1 9.64 6.81 5.43 4.74
Equatiorial diameter, 4880 12100 12800 6790 14300 120000 51800 49500 2300
km 0
Mass (Earth =1) 0.0558 0.815 1.000 0.107 318 95.1 14.5 17.2 0.00
2
Density (Water =1) 5.60 5.20 5.52 3.95 1.31 0.704 1.21 1.67 2.03
Surface value of g, m/s2 3.78 8.60 9.78 3.72 22.9 9.05 7.77 11.0 0.5
Escape velocity, km/s 4.3 10.3 11.2 5.0 59.5 35.6 21.2 23.6 1.1
Known satellites 0 0 1 2 16+rin 18+ring 17+rin 8+rings 1
g s gs

Orbital Velocity of Satellite orbit i.e., satellites of diferent masses have same orbital
velocity, if they are in the same orbit.
Satellites are natural or artificial bodies describing
orbit around a planet under its gravitational attraction. (ii) Orbital velocity depends on the mass of central
Moon is a natural satellite while INSAT-1B is an artificial body and radius of orbit.
satellite of earth. Satellit
Condition for e (iii) For a given planet, greater the radius of orbit,
establishment of h lesser will be the orbital velocity of the satellite
artificial satellite is that r
v  1/ r  .
the centre of orbit of R
satellite must coincide (iv) Orbital velocity of the satellite when it revolves
v
with centre of earth or Earth very close to the surface of the planet
satellite must move
GM GM GM
around great circle of v   v  gR
earth. r Rh R
Orbital velocity of [As h  0 and
a satellite is the Fig.
2
8.26 GM  gR ]
velocity required to put
the satellite into its orbit around the earth. For the earth v 9.8  6.4  106
For revolution of satellite around the earth, the
 7.9 k m/ s  8 km/ sec
gravitational pull provides the required centripetal force.

mv2 GMm GM
(v) Close to the surface of planet v 
 R
r r2
[As
GM
 v 2GM
r ve  ]
R

gR2 g ve
v R  v i.e., vescape 2 vorbital
Rh Rh 2
[As GM  gR2 and r  R  h] It means that if the speed of a satellite orbiting
close to the earth is made 2 times (or increased by
(i) Orbital velocity is independent of the mass of 41%) then it will escape from the gravitational field.
the orbiting body and is always along the tangent of the
 Gravitation 145
(vi) If the gravitational force of attraction of the
r3 R3
1 T  2  2
sun on the planet varies as F then the orbital GM GM
rn
1 
2 R3 1/ 2


3
velocity varies as v  . 1/ 2
G
rn1  4 3 
G. 3 R  
 
Time Period of Satellite
(v) If the gravitational force of attraction of the sun
It is the time taken by satellite to go once around
the earth. 1
on the planet varies as F then the time period
Circumferenceof theorbit rn
 T  n1
orbitalvelocity varies as
T r 2
2r r GM (vi) If there is a satellite in the equatorial plane
 T   2r [As v  ]
v GM r rotating in the direction of earth’s rotation from west to
east, then for an observer, on the earth, angular
r3 r3 velocity of satellite will be ( S   E ) . The time
 T  2  2 2
[As GM  gR2 ]
GM gR interval between the two consecutive appearances
overhead will be

 T  2
 R  h 3  2
R h
3/ 2
2 TT  2 
1   [As T  S E  As T   
g R2 g R  s   E TE  TS  
r  R  h] If  S   E , T  i.e. satellite will appear
3 stationary relative to earth. Such satellites are called
r
(i) From T  2 , it is clear that time period geostationary satellites.
GM
Height of Satellite
is independent of the mass of orbiting body and
depends on the mass of central body and radius of the As we know, time period of satellite
orbit
r3 (R  h)3
T  2  2
r3 GM gR2
(ii) T  2
GM
By squaring and rearranging both sides
4 2 3
 T 2
r i.e., T 2  r 3 gR T 2
2
GM   R  h 3
4 2
This is in accordance with Kepler’s third law of
planetary motion r becomes a (semi major axis) if the
1/ 3
 T 2g R2 
 h   R
orbit is elliptic.  4 2 
 
(iii) Time period of nearby satellite,
By knowing the value of time period we can
r3 R3 R calculate the height of satellite from the surface of the
From T  2  2  2
GM gR2 g earth.

[As h  0 and Geostationary Satellite

GM  gR2 ] The satellite which appears stationary relative to
earth is called geostationary or geosynchronous
For earth R  6400km and g  9.8m/ s 2
satellite, communication satellite.
T  84.6 minute 1.4 hr
A geostationary satellite always stays over the
(iv) Time period of nearby satellite in terms of same place above the earth such a satellite is never at
density of planet can be given as rest. Such a satellite appears stationary due to its zero
relative velocity w.r.t. that place on earth.
The orbit of a geostationary satellite is known as
the parking orbit.
 146 Gravitation
(i) It should revolve in an orbit concentric and But as L  constant,  areal velocity (dA/dt) =
coplanar with the equatorial plane. constant which is Kepler’s II law
(ii) Its sense of rotation should be same as that of
i.e., Kepler’s II law or constancy of areal velocity is
earth about its own axis i.e., in anti-clockwise direction
a consequence of conservation of angular momentum.
(from west to east).
(iii) Its period of revolution around the earth Energy of Satellite
should be same as that of earth about its own axis. When a satellite revolves around a planet in its orbit, it
 T  24 hr  86400sec possesses both potential energy (due to its position
against gravitational pull of earth) and kinetic energy
(iv) Height of geostationary satellite (due to orbital motion).
3
r3  2 (R  h)  24hr  GMm  L2
As T  2 (1) Potential energy : U  mV  
GM GM r mr2
Substituting the value of G and M we get
R  h  r  42000km 7R  GM 2 2 
 As V  r , L  m GMr
 
 height of geostationary satellite from the
surface of earh h  6R  36000km 1 GMm L2
(2) Kinetic energy : K  mv2  
2 2r 2 mr2
(v) Orbital velocity of geo stationary satellite can

GM 
be calculated by v  GM 
r  As v  
 r 
Substituting the value of G and M we get
(3) Total energy :
v  3.08 km/ sec

Angular Momentum of Satellite

 GMm GMm  GMm  L2
EU  K    
Angular momentum of satellite L  mvr r 2r 2r 2mr2
GM GM (i) Kinetic energy, potential energy or total energy
 Lm r [As v  ] of a satellite depends on the mass of the satellite and
r r
the central body and also on the radius of the orbit.
 L m2GMr (ii) From the above expressions we can say that

i.e., Angular momentum of satellite depends on Kinetic energy (K) = – (Total energy)
both the mass of orbiting and central body as well as Potential energy (U) = 2 (Total energy)
the radius of orbit.
Potential energy (K) = – 2 (Kinetic energy)
(i) In case of satellite motion, force is central so (iii) Energy graph for a satellite
torque = 0 and hence angular momentum of satellite is
(iv) Energy distribution in elliptical orbit
conserved i.e., L  constant
Sun
dA v dt
r +
Satellite
Fig.
Energy

8.27 r
(ii) In case of satellite motion as areal velocity K Perigee Focus a Apogee
K.E. = max K.E. = min
O P.E. = min Semi
dA 1 (r)(vdt) 1 major P.E. = max
  rv E r axis
dt 2 dt 2 U
rmin rmax
dA L – (v) If the orbit of a satellite is elliptic
(B) then
  [As L  mvr ] (A) Fig.
dt 2m 8.28
 Gravitation 147

(a) Total energy (E) 

GMm
 constant ; Note::  Work done in changing the orbit
2a
W  E 2  E1
where a is semi-major axis .

(b) Kinetic energy (K ) will be maximum when

 GMm  GMm
W       
the satellite is closest to the central body (at perigee)  2r2   2r1  r2 M
Earth
r1
and minimum when it is farthest from the central body
GMm  1 1 
(at apogee) W   
2  r1 r2  Fig.
(c) Potential energy (U ) will be minimum when 8.29
kinetic energy = maximum i.e., the satellite is closest to Weightlessness
the central body (at perigee) and maximum when The weight of a body is the force with which it is
kinetic energy = minimum i.e., the satellite is farthest attracted towards the centre of earth. When a body is
from the central body (at apogee). stationary with respect to the earth, its weight equals
the gravity. This weight of the body is known as its static
(vi) Binding Energy : Total energy of a satellite in its
or true weight.
orbit is negative. Negative energy means that the
satellite is bound to the central body by an attractive We become conscious of our weight, only when
force and energy must be supplied to remove it from the our weight (which is gravity) is opposed by some other
orbit to infinity. The energy required to remove the object. Actually, the secret of measuring the weight of a
satellite from its orbit to infinity is called Binding Energy body with a weighing machine lies in the fact that as we
of the system, i.e., place the body on the machine, the weighing machine
opposes the weight of the body. The reaction of the
GMm
Binding Energy (B.E.)   E  weighing machine to the body gives the measure of the
2r weight of the body.
Change in the Orbit of Satellite The state of weightlessness can be observed in
When the satellite is transferred to a higher the following situations.
orbit (r2  r1) then variation in different quantities (1) When objects fall freely under gravity :
For example, a lift falling freely, or an airship showing a
can be shown by the following table
feat in which it falls freely for a few seconds during its
Quantities Variation Relation with flight, are in state of weightlessness.
r (2) When a satellite revolves in its orbit
Orbital velocity Decreases 1 around the earth : Weightlessness poses many
v serious problems to the astronauts. It becomes quite
r
difficult for them to control their movements. Everything
Time period Increases in the satellite has to be kept tied down. Creation of
T  r3 / 2
artificial gravity is the answer to this problem.
Linear Decreases 1
momentum P (3) When bodies are at null points in outer
r space : On a body projected up, the pull of the earth
Angular Increases goes on decreasing, but at the same time the
L r
momentum gravitational pull of the moon on the body goes on
increasing. At one particular position, the two
Kinetic energy Decreases 1
K gravitational pulls may be equal and opposite and the
r net pull on the body becomes zero. This is zero gravity
Potential energy Increases region or the null point and the body in question is said
1
U to appear weightless.
r
Weightlessness in a Satellite
Total energy Increases 1
E A satellite, which does not produce its own gravity
r moves around the earth in a circular orbit under the
Binding energy Decreases 1 GM
BE  action of gravity. The acceleration of satellite is
r r2
towards the centre of earth.
If a body of mass m placed on a surface inside a
satellite moving around the earth. Then force on the body
are
 148 Gravitation
body placed on its surface and hence weight of the
Satellit
e
body will not be equal to zero at the surface of the
ma moon.
h m
r

R GMm
r
2 v
Earth

 The reference frame attached to the earth is non-

Fig.
8.30 GMm
(i) The gravitational pull of earth 
r2
(ii) The reaction by the surface R
GmM
By Newton’s law  R  ma
r2
GmM  GM 
 R  m 2 
r 2
 r 
R=0
Thus the surface does not exert any force on the
body and hence its apparent weight is zero.
A body needs no support to stay at rest in the
satellite and hence all position are equally comfortable.
Such a state is called weightlessness.
(i) One will find it difficult to control his movement,
without weight he will tend to float freely. To get from
one spot to the other he will have to push himself away
from the walls or some other fixed objects.
(ii) As everything is in free fall, so objects are at
rest relative to each other, i.e., if a table is withdrawn
from below an object, the object will remain where it
was without any support.
(iii) If a glass of water is tilted and glass is pulled
out, the liquid in the shape of container will float and
will not flow because of surface tension.
(iv) If one tries to strike a match, the head will
light but the stick will not burn. This is because in this
situation convection currents will not be set up which
supply oxygen for combustion
(v) If one tries to perform simple pendulum
experiment, the pendulum will not oscillate. It is
because there will not be any restoring torque and so
T  2 (L / g)   . [As g  0 ]
(vi) Condition of weightlessness can be
experienced only when the mass of satellite is negligible
so that it does not produce its own gravity.
e.g. Moon is a satellite of earth but due to its own
weight it applies gravitational force of attraction on the
inertial, because the earth revolves about its own axis
as well as about the sun.
 Gravity holds the atmosphere around to the
earth.
 If the earth were at one fourth the present
distance from the sun, the duration of the year will be
one eighth of the present year.
 If a packet is just released from an artificial
satellite, it does not fall to the earth. On the other
hand it will continue orbiting along with the satellite.
 Astronauts orbiting around the earth cannot use a
pendulum clock. however, they can use spring clock
 To the astronauts in space, the sky appears black
due to the absence of atmosphere above them.
 The gravitational force is much smaller than the
electrical force because the value of G is very very
small.
 The dimensional formula of gravitational field is
same as that of acceleration due to gravity.
 A body in gravitational field has maximum
binding energy when it is at rest.
 The moon is the natural satellite of the earth, but
a man does not feel weightlessness on the surface of
the moon. This is because, the mass of the moon is
very large and it exerts a gravitational force on the
man. On the other hand, the mass of the artificial
satellite is very small and it exerts negligible or no
gravitational force on the astronaut, so astronaut
feels weightlessness in the artificial satellite but not
on the moon.
 The planets are heavenly bodies revolving around
the sun. The sun and the nine planets, revolving
around it, constitute the solar system.
 All other planets except mercury and pluto
revolve around the sun in almost circular orbits.
 If the radius of planet decreases by x% keeping
the mass constant. The acceleration due to gravity on
its surface increases by 2x%.
 If the mass of a planet increases by x% keeping
radius constant, the acceleration due to gravity on its
surface increases by x%.
 If the density of the planet decreases by x%,
keeping the radius constant, the acceleration due to

gravity decreases by x%.
 If the radius of the planet decreases by x%,
keeping the density constant, the acceleration due to
gravity decreases by x%.
 For the planets orbiting around the sun, angular
speed, linear speed, kinetic energy etc. change with
time but angular momentum remains constant.
 The ratio of inertial mass to gravitational mass is
1.
 Inertial mass m becomes infinite if the body
moves with velocity of light.
 Intensity of gravitational field inside a shell is
zero.
 If two spheres of same material, mass and radius
are put in contact, the gravitational attraction
between them is directly proportional to the fourth
power of their radius.
 (a) There is no atmosphere on the moon because
escape velocity on the moon is less than the rms
velocity of the gas molecules.
(b) Two satellites are orbiting in circular orbits of radii
r1 and r2. Their orbital speeds are in the ratio :
v1 / v2  (r2 / r1)1 / 2 . It is independent to their masses
 Planets describe equal area around the sun in
equal intervals of time.
 If the gravitational attraction of the sun on the
planets varies as nth power of distance (of the planet
from the sun), then year of the planet will be
proportional to R(n+1)/2.
 An object will experience weightlessness at
equator, if the angular speed of the earth about its
axis becomes more than (1/800) rad s–1.
 Orbital velocity very near the surface of the earth
is about 7.92 kms–1.
 Greater the height of the satellite, smaller is the
orbital velocity.
 Orbital velocity independent of the mass of the
satellite.
 Orbital velocity is depends on the mass of the
planet as well as radius of the orbit.
 If the altitude of the satellite is n times the radius
of the earth, then the orbital velocity will be
(1/ 1  n) times the orbital velocity near the
surface of the earth.
 If the radius of the orbit of a sattelite is n times
the radius of the earth, then its orbital velocity will be
(1/ n) the orbital velocity near the surface of the
earth.
 The centripetal acceleration of the satellite is
Gravitation 149
equal to the acceleration due to gravity.
 The gravitational potential energy of a satellite of
mass m is
U p  GMm/ r, where r is the radius of the orbit of
satellite.
 Kinetic energy of the satellite
GMm

2r
 Total energy of the satellite
GMm GMm GMm
EUK   
2r r 2r
 When velocity of the satellite increases, its kinetic
energy increases and hence total energy becomes
less negative. That is the satellite begins to revolve in
orbit of greater radius.
 If the total energy of the satellite becomes +ve,
the satellite escapes from the gravitational pull of the
earth.
 When the satellite is taken to greater height the
potential energy increases (becomes less negative)
and kinetic energy decreases.
 For the orbiting satellite, the kinetic energy is less
than potential energy. When KE = PE, the satellite
escapes away from the gravitation pull of the earth.
 No energy is dissipated in keeping the satellite in
orbit around a planet
 Time period of the satellite very near the surface
of the earth is about 84.6 minutes or 1.4 hr.
 Geo-stationary satellite is a satellite which appear
stationary to the observers on the earth. It is also
called geosynchronous satellite.
 The orbit of a geostationery satellite is known as
the parking orbit.
 To throw an ant or an elephant out of the
gravitational field, the required velocity of projection
is same !
 Escape velocity depends on the mass and size of
the planet. That is why escape velocity on the planet
Jupiter is more than on the earth and escape velocity
on the Moon is less than that on the earth.
 If a body is orbiting around the earth, then it will
escape away, when its velocity is increased by 41.8%.
 If the radius of earth is doubled keeping the
density unchanged the escape velocity will be
doubled.
 Escape velocity  2  orbital velocity.
 If the body is at a height h above the surface of
 150 Gravitation
the earth, then escape velocity is given by

ves  2g(R  h)

 It is the least velocity required by a body to

escape away from the gravitational pull of the earth.
 Escape velocity from the surface of the earth
 2gR  11.20kms1

 Body does not return to the earth when fired with

escape velocity, irrespective of the angle of projection
 The escape velocity from the moon is 2.4 kms–1.
 When a projectile is fired with velocity less than
the escape velocity, the sum of its gravitational
potential and kinetic energy is negative.
 If ratio of the radii of two planets is r and the ratio
of the acceleration due to gravity on the their surface
is a, then ratio of escape velocities is ar .
 If the radius of the earth is doubled keeping the
mass unchanged, the escape velocity will becomes
(1 / 2) times the present value

 If a body falls freely from infinite height, then it

reaches the surface of the earth with velocity 11.2
km/s
 When a body falls from a height h to the surface
of the earth, its velocity on reaching the surface of
the earth is given by
1/ 2
  h 
  2gR 
  R  h 

When h << R, we find : v  2gh

 The tail of the comets points away from the sun

due to the radiation pressure the sun.