Class 9

Gravitation
HOTS
Q1:

Two balls of different masses are thrown vertically upwards

with same initial speed. Which one of them will rise to the
greater height?
Answer: Both will reach the same maximum height at the same
instant, because they will have the same acceleration due to gravity

Q2:

What are Laws of Planetary Motion?

Ans: Kepler's three laws of planetary motion can be described as
follows:
The path of the planets about the sun is elliptical in shape, with the
center of the sun being located at one focus. (The Law of Orbit)
An imaginary line drawn from the center of the sun to the center of the
planet will sweep out equal areas in equal intervals of time. (The Law
of Equal Areas)
The ratio of the squares of the periods of any two planets is equal to
the ratio of the cubes of their average distances from the sun. (The
Law of periods) T2/R3 ratio is the same

Q3:

Derive the inverse square of Newton.

We can derive Newton's law of gravitation from Kepler's third law.
Kepler's Third Law can be written as
T2 = kr3
or

T2= (42/GM). r3..............(1)

now, we know that the time period, T = 2r/v, so (1) becomes

(2r/v)2 = (42/GM). r3

or

42 (r/v)2 = (42/GM). r3

or

(r/v)2 = (1/GM). r3

= r3/GM .......................(2)

we know that,centripetal acceleration a = v2/r [from ma = mv2/r]

Thus, equation (2) becomes
r/a = r3/GM
or 1/a = r2/GM
or a = GM/ r2.......................... (3)
and we also know that F = ma, thus using equation (3) we would get
F = ma = m(GM/ r2)
Thus, we have derived the Newton's Law of Gravitation, which is F =
GMm/r2 from Kepler's Third Law
Q4:

When we move from the poles to the equator. Hence, the

value of g decreases. Why ?
Ans: The shape of earth is an ellipse so when we move from the poles
to the equator the radius of the earth R increases. Hence, the value of
g decreases because value 'g' is inversely proportional to the radius
of earth. g = GM/R2

Q5:

What is the difference between centrifugal force

and centripetal force?
Ans: Centripetal Force
(i) It is the force that keeps a body in circular path.
(ii) It acts toward the center.
Centrifugal Force
(i) It is the pseudo force that tries to make a body fly off the circular
path.
(ii) It acts outward the center.

Q6:

Explain :Centrifugal force and Centripetal force?

Ans: A force which is required to move a body uniformly in a circle is
known as centripetal force. This force acts along the radius and
towards the center of the circle,
Centrifugal force arises when a body is moving actually along a circular
path, by virtue of tendency of the body to regain its natural straight
line path. This force acts along the radius and away from the center of
the circle.
The Centripetal force formula is given by Fc = mv2/r

Q7:

Gravitational force acts on all objects in proportion to their

masses. Why then, a heavy object does not fall faster than a
light object?
Ans : This is because acceleration is inversely proportional to mass.
Since mass of heavy of is greater it accelerates slower than lighter
object. This is why a heavy object does not fall faster than a light
object?

Q8:

The earth and the moon are attracted to each other by

gravitational force. Does the earth attract the moon with a
force that is greater or smaller or the same as the force with
which the moon attracts the earth? Why?
Ans: The earth attract the moon with equal force with which the moon
attracts the earth. This because , according to Newtons third law of
motion to every action there is equal reaction

Q9:

If the moon attracts the earth, why does the earth not move
towards the moon?
Ans: This is because acceleration is inversely proportional to mass. The
earth is much larger than the moon so, the acceleration produced on
the earth surface cannot be noticed.

Q10: What is aphelion and perihelion?

Ans: The aphelion is the point in the orbit of an object where it is
farthest from the Sun. The point in orbit where an object is nearest to
the sun is called the perihelion. The word aphelion derives from the

Greek words, apo meaning away, off, apart and Helios (the Greek god
of the sun).