Physics Assignment Sheet

Topic (Gravitation)
1.

In figure a spherical body of mass M is a

distance a from one end of a uniform
rod of length L and mass m. What is the
force between them.

2.

Consider a homogenous ring of mass M and radius R. What gravitational attraction does it
exert on a particle of mass m located a distance x from the centre of the ring along its axis ?
R

3.

dx

A thin rod of mass M is bent in a arc of circle of radius R, which sustained an angle 2 at
the centre. What is its gravitational force on a particle of mass m at the centre of curvature.
M

4.

A spherical hollow is made in a lead sphere of radius R. Such that its surface touches the
outside surface of the lead sphere and passes through its centre. The mass of the sphere
before hollowing was M. With what gravitational force will the hollowed-out lead sphere
attract a small sphere of mass m, which lies at a distance d from the centre of the lead
sphere on the straight line connecting the centres of the sphere and of the hollow ?

5.

Find the potential energy of the system shown in figure.

m

Ring

6.

Two bodies of masses m1 and m2 are placed at a distance r apart. Show that the position
where the gravitational field due to them is zero, the potential is given by

V
7.

G
m1 m 2 2 m1m 2 .
r

A non-homogenous sphere of radius R has the following density variation

0
R
3R

3R
for r
rR
; 0 for
2
3
4
8
4
R R 5R
and 2R ?
What is the gravitational field due to the sphere at r , ,
4 2 6
0 for r R / 3 ;

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8.

Two uniform solid sphere of equal radii R,

R
R
but mass M and 4 M have a centre to centre
N
separation 6R, as shown in figure. The two
4M
M
spheres are held fixed. A projectile of mass
x
m is projected from the surface of the sphere
of mass M directly towards the centre of the
6R
second sphere. Obtain an expression for the minimum speed v of the projectile so that it
reaches the surface of the second sphere.

9.

To what latitude does the syncoms coverage extend ?

10.

The largest and the shortest distance of the earth from the sun are r 1 and r2 respectively.
Calculate the distance from the sun when it is at perpendicular distance to the major axis of
the orbit drawn from sun.

11.

Two satellites S1 and S2 revolve round a planet in coplanar circular orbits in the same sense.
Their periods of revolution are 1h and 8h respectively. The radius of the orbit of S 1 is 104km.
When S2 is closest to S1 find (a) the speed of S 2 relative to S1 and (b) the angular speed of
S2 as observed by an astronaut in S1.

12.

Two masses m1 and m2 at an infinite distance from each other are initially at rest, start
interacting gravitationally. Find their velocity of approach when they are at a distance r apart.

13.

A planet moves around the sun along an ellipse so that its minimum distance from the sun is
equal to r and the maximum distance to R. Making use to Keplers laws, find its period of
revolution around the sun.

14.

An artificial satellite of the moon revolves in a circular orbit whose radius exceeds the radius
of the moon times. The process of motion the satellite experiences a slight resistance due
to cosmic dust. Assuming the resistance force to depend on the velocity of the satellite as
F v 2 , where is a constant, find how long the satellite will stay in orbit until it falls onto
the moons surface.

15.

The gravitational field in a region is given by Eg (5i 10j)N / kg . Calculate the work done
by an external agent in carrying a mass of 0.4 kg from point (0,0) to point (3,4) metre.

16.

A planet of mass m moves along an ellipse around the sun of mass M S, so that its maximum
and minimum distances from sun are r1 and r2 respectively. Find the angular momentum L of
this planet relative to the centre of sun.

17.

Three particles each of mass m, are situated at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side
length a. The only forces acting on the particles are their mutual gravitational forces. It is
desired that each particle moves in a circle while maintaining the original separation a. Find
the initial velocity that should be given to each particle and also the time period of the
circular motion.

18.

The mass of railway train is 100 metric tons. What will be its weight when it is (i) moving due
east (ii) moving due west along the equator at 72 km/h ? Radius of earth is 6400 km.

19.

A chord of length 64 m is used to connect a 100 kg astronaut spaceship whose mass is

much larger than that of the astronaut. Estimate the value of tension in the chord assuming
that the spaceship is orbiting near earths surface. Also assume that the spaceship and the
astronaut fall in a straight line from the earth centre. The radius of earth R = 6400 km.

Narayana IIT Academy : 15, Central Market, West Punjabi Bagh, N. Delhi-26 Ph.: 45062651 / 52 / 53

Narayana IIT Academy : 15, Central Market, West Punjabi Bagh, N. Delhi-26 Ph.: 45062651 / 52 / 53