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Syllabus

Gravitation — Syllabus

CBSE · Class 11 · Physics

What Gravitation covers in CBSE Class 11 Physics: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the CBSE Class 11 Physics syllabus.

155 questions56 flashcards13 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Topics · CBSE Class 11 Physics · 2026-27

Topics in Gravitation

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1. Historical background and Kepler’s laws

  • Galileo (1564-1642) recognised that all bodies fall towards the Earth with constant acceleration, regardless of mass.
  • Ptolemy proposed a geocentric model in which all celestial objects revolved around the Earth.
  • Aryabhatta mentioned the heliocentric model in the 5th century A.D., placing the Sun at the centre.
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2. Universal law of gravitation

  • Newton explained both falling bodies and planetary motion using one universal law.
  • Every body in the universe attracts every other body with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
  • The gravitational force is attractive and acts along the line joining the two masses.
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3. Gravitational constant and weighing the Earth

  • Henry Cavendish first experimentally determined G in 1798 using a torsion-balance apparatus.
  • The bar AB with small lead spheres at the ends twists due to attraction by large lead spheres.
  • At equilibrium, gravitational torque equals restoring torque.
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4. Acceleration due to gravity on and below Earth

  • Acceleration due to gravity is maximum at Earth’s surface.
  • It decreases when moving upward and also when moving downward below the surface.
  • At height h above Earth, gravity decreases with distance from the centre.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Gravitation as the universal attraction between masses and its effects on planetary motion, gravity near Earth, potential energy, escape speed, and satellites

Historical developmentKepler's lawsUniversal law of gravitationGravitational constantGravity near EarthSpherical symmetry and shell theoremGravitational potential energy and potentialEscape speed

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Gravitation for CBSE Class 11 Physics?
Key topics in Gravitation include Historical background and Kepler’s laws, Universal law of gravitation, Gravitational constant and weighing the Earth, Acceleration due to gravity on and below Earth. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Gravitation for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 155 practice questions on Gravitation. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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All CBSE Class 11 Physics Syllabus

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