Exam Time : 03:00 Hrs Total Marks : 131

Gravitation

G
30 x 1 = 30

1)
The linear momentum and position vector of the planet is perpendicular to each other at

(a) perihelion and aphelion (b) at all points (c) only at perihelion (d) no point

2)
If the masses of the Earth and Sun suddenly double, the gravitational force between them will

(a) remain the same (b) increase 2 times (c) increase 4 times (d) decrease 2 times

3)
The time period of a satellite orbiting Earth in a cirular orbit is independent of

(a) Radius of the orbit (b) The mass of the satellite (c) Both the mass and radius of the orbit

(d) Neither the mass nor the radius of its orbit

4)
A planet moving along an elliptical orbit is closest to the Sun at distance r1 and farthest away at a
v
distance of r2. If v1 and v2 are linear speeds at these points respectively. Then the ratio v is
1

r2 r2 r1 r1
(a) r1
(b) (
r1
2
) (c) r2
(d) (
r2
2
)

5)
According to Kepler’s second law, the radial vector to a planet from the Sun sweeps out equal
areas in equal intervals of time. This law is a consequence of

(a) conservation of linear momentum (b) conservation of angular momentum

(c) conservation of energy (d) conservation of kinetic energy

6)
If the distance between the Earth and Sun were to be doubled from its present value, the number
of days in a year would be

(a) 64.5 (b) 1032 (c) 182.5 (d) 730

7)
The gravitational potential energy of the Moon with respect to Earth is

(a) always positive (b) always negative (c) can be positive or negative (d) always zero

Multiple Choice Question

(a) always zero (b) always positive (c) can be positive or negative (d) always negative

9)
The kinetic energies of a planet in an elliptical orbit about the Sun, at positions A, B and C are KA,
KB and KC respectively. AC is the major axis and SB is perpendicular to AC at the position of the
Sun S as shown in the figure. Then

(a) KA > KB > KC (b) KB < KA < KC (c) KA < KB < KC (d) KB > KA > KC

10)
If the mass and radius of the Earth are both doubled, then the acceleration due to gravity g'
g
(a) remains same (b) (c) 2g (d) 4g
2

11)
The magnitude of the Sun’s gravitational field as experienced by Earth is

(a) same over the year

(b) decreases in the month of January and increases in the month of July

(c) decreases in the month of July and increases in the month of January

(d) increases during day time and decreases during night time

12)
If a person moves from Chennai to Trichy, his weight

(a) increases (b) decreases (c) remains same (d) increases and then decreases

13)
An object of mass 10 kg is hanging on a spring scale which is attached to the roof of a lift. If the
lift is in free fall, the reading in the spring scale is

(a) 98 N (b) zero (c) 49 N (d) 9.8 N

14)
If the acceleration due to gravity becomes 4 times its original value, then escape speed

(a) remains same (b) 2 times of original value (c) becomes halved

(d) 4 times of original value

15)
The kinetic energy of the satellite orbiting around the Earth is

(a) equal to potential energy (b) less than potential energy (c) greater than kinetic energy

(d) zero

16)
In the following, what are the quantities which that are conserved?

(a) Linear momentum of planet (b) Angular momentum of planet (c) Total energy of planet

(d) Potential energy of a planet

(a) zero (b) non-zero (c) positive (d) negative

18)
The work done by Sun on Earth at any finite interval of time is

(a) Positive, negative or zero (b) Strictly positive (c) Strictly negative (d) It is always zero

19)
Three bodies of each of mass 2 kg are situated on x-axis at distance 1m, 2m, 4m from origin. The
resolving gravitational potential due to the system at the origin will be ______________.

(a) 2G (b) G (c) G (d)

3 3 2

20)
Acceleration to Kepler's second law the radius vector of a planet sweeps out equal areas in equal
intervals of fire. The law is consequence of conservations of _______________.

(a) linear momentum (b) angular momentum (c) energy (d) Newton's law of gravitation

21)
According to Kepler, the period of revolution of a planet (T) and its mean distance from the Sun
(a) are related by the equation __________.

(a) T3 a3 = constant (b) T2 a-3 = constant (c) Ta3 = constant (d) T2a = constant

22)
The radius of orbit of a planet is two times that of Earth. The time period of planet is
_________years.

(a) 4.2 (b) 2.8 (c) 5.6 (d) 8.4

23)
The Earth E moves in an elliptical orbit with the Sun S at one of the foci as shown in figure. Its

speed of motion will be maximum at a point _________

(a) C (b) A (c) B (d) D

24)
Which of the following statement about the gravitational constant is true?

(a) It is a force (b) It has same value in all system of unit (c) It has not unit

(d) It depends on the value of the masses

25)
What is the intensity of gravitational field at the center of spherical shell?

(a) Gm
2
(b) g (c) zero (d) None of these
r
26)
Orbital velocity of an artificial satellite does not depend upon ________.

(a) mass of Earth (b) mass of satellite (c) radius of Earth (d) acceleration doe to gravity

27)
Escape velocity of a body of 1 kg. On a planet is 100 ms-1. Gravitational potential energy of the
body at the planet is _______.

(a) -5000 J (b) - 1000 J (c) - 2400 (d) 4000 J

28)
As we go grom the equator to the poles, the value of g ___________.

(a) remains constant (b) decreases (c) increases (d) decreases upto latitude of 45°

29)
Weight of a body is maximum at ________.

(a) Moon (b) poles of Earth (c) equator of Earth (d) center of Earth

30)
At the centre of the Earth, the value of acceleration due to gravity is

(a) infinite (b) finite (c) unity (d) zero

31)
State Kepler’s three laws.

32)
State Newton’s Universal law of gravitation.

33)
Is potential energy the property of a single object? Justify.

34)
Define gravitational potential.

35)
Will the angular momentum of a planet be conserved? Justify your answer.

36)
What is meant by escape speed in the case of the Earth?

37)
Define weight.

38)
Why is there no lunar eclipse and solar eclipse every month?

39)
If the masses and mutual distance between the two objects are doubled, what is the change in
the gravitational force between them?

40)
Two bodies of masses m and 4m are placed at a distance r. Calculate the gravitational potential
at a point on the line joining them where the gravitational field is zero.

41)
Why is the energy of a satellite (or any other planet) negative?

42)
Define orbital velocity.
43)
Water falls from the top of a hill to the ground. Why? This is because the top of the hill is a point
of higher gravitational potential than the surface of the Earth i.e. Vhill > Vground

44)
State S.I. units of 'g' and 'G'.

45)
Mention the dimensional formula of 'g' and 'G'.

46)
What is meant by Heliocentric model?

47)
What is the cause of retrograde motion of the planets with respect to Earth?

48)
What is meant by Pole star ?
3 Marks 10 x 3 = 30

49)
Define the gravitational field. Give its unit.

50)
Define gravitational potential energy.

51)
What is the difference between gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy?

52)
What is meant by superposition of gravitational field?

53)
What are geostationary and polar satellites?

54)
Explain the variation of g with lattitude.

55)
Two particles of masses m1 and m2 are placed along the x and y axes respectively at a distance
‘a’ from the origin. Calculate the gravitational field at a point P shown in figure below.

56)
Explain the variation of g with altitude.

57)
Explain the variation of g with depth from the Earth’s surface.

58)
If the angular momentum of a planet is given by L⃗ = 5t2 ^i − 6t^
^
j + 3k . What is the torque

experienced by the planet? Will the torque be in the same direction as that of the angular
momentum?
5 Marks 7 x 5 = 35

59)
Discuss the important features of the law of gravitation.

60)
Explain in detail the idea of weightlessness using lift as an example.

61)
Derive an expression for escape speed.
62)
Derive the time period of satellite orbiting the Earth.

63)
Derive an expression for energy of satellite.

64)
Explain in detail the geostationary and polar satellites.

65)
Explain in detail the Eratosthenes method of finding the radius of Earth.

All the best

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