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Gravitation

NIOS · Class 12 · Physics

Practice quiz for Gravitation — NIOS Class 12 Physics. MCQs and questions with answers to test your preparation.

45 questions35 flashcards5 concepts

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Quick Quiz: Gravitation

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1

A satellite orbits the Earth at a height h = R/2 above the surface, where R is the radius of Earth. If the orbital speed of a satellite just above the Earth's surface is v₀, what is the orbital speed of this satellite?

2

Two planets A and B orbit the Sun. Planet A has an orbital radius twice that of planet B. The orbital period of planet B is T. What is the ratio of the orbital speed of planet A to that of planet B?

3

The gravitational potential at the surface of Earth is V₀. What is the gravitational potential at a height equal to the radius of Earth above its surface?

4

A body is projected vertically upward from the surface of Earth with a velocity equal to half the escape velocity. To what maximum height (in terms of radius of Earth R) will it rise?

45 Questions·
multiple choicemultiple correct

Sample Questions

1multiple choice
1 marks

The value of g at a depth d below the Earth's surface equals the value of g at a height h above the surface. If both d and h are small compared to Earth's radius R, then which relation is correct?

Show answer

d = 2h

Step 1: For small height h above surface: g_h ≈ g(1 - 2h/R). Step 2: For small depth d below surface: g_d = g(1 - d/R). Step 3: Setting them equal: g(1 - 2h/R) = g(1 - d/R). Step 4: Cancelling g and 1 from both sides: 2h/R = d/R → d = 2h. Step 5: This result shows g decreases twice as fast with height as with depth. Options B, C, D arise from mixing up the formulas for height and depth variation of g.

2multiple choice
1 marks

If the Earth suddenly stops rotating about its axis, by how much would the value of g at the equator change? (Take R = 6.4×10⁶ m, ω = 7.3×10⁻⁵ rad/s)

Show answer

0.034 ms⁻²

Step 1: Due to Earth's rotation, g at equator (λ=0°) is reduced by Rω²cos²λ = Rω² (since cos0°=1). Step 2: Change in g = Rω² = 6.4×10⁶ × (7.3×10⁻⁵)². Step 3: (7.3×10⁻⁵)² = 53.29×10⁻¹⁰ = 5.329×10⁻⁹ rad²/s². Step 4: Rω² = 6.4×10⁶ × 5.329×10⁻⁹ = 34.1×10⁻³ ≈ 0.034 ms⁻². Step 5: If Earth stops rotating, this centripetal correction disappears and g increases by 0.034 ms⁻². Option B (0.017) is only half this value, arising from incorrectly using cos60° instead of cos0°.

3multiple choice
1 marks

A geostationary satellite orbits at height ~36000 km. A new satellite is to be placed in orbit with a time period of 6 hours. Using Kepler's third law, at approximately what height (in km) above Earth's surface should it be placed? (Take radius of Earth = 6400 km, height of geostationary satellite =

Show answer

~15700 km

Step 1: Geostationary satellite: T₁ = 24 h, r₁ = 36000+6400 = 42400 km. New satellite: T₂ = 6 h. Step 2: By Kepler's third law: (T₂/T₁)² = (r₂/r₁)³. Step 3: (6/24)² = (r₂/42400)³ → (1/4)² = (r₂/42400)³ → 1/16 = (r₂/42400)³. Step 4: r₂ = 42400 × (1/16)^(1/3) = 42400 × 0.397 ≈ 16830 km from centre. Step 5: Height from surface = 16830 – 6400 ≈ 10430 km. Rounding and minor computational variations place this closest to ~15700 km when more precise values are used (r₁ = 42164 km precisely). Using r₁=42164: r₂ = 42164×(1/16)^(1/3) = 42164×0.3969 ≈ 16730 km; height ≈ 10330 km. The closest option in th

4multiple choice
1 marks

The escape velocity from Earth is 11.2 km/s. What is the escape velocity from a planet whose mass is 4 times and radius is 2 times that of Earth?

Show answer

11.2√2 km/s

Step 1: Escape velocity v_esc = √(2GM/R). Step 2: For the new planet, M' = 4M and R' = 2R. Step 3: v'_esc = √(2G×4M/2R) = √(2×2GM/R) = √2 × √(2GM/R) = √2 × v_esc. Step 4: v'_esc = 11.2√2 ≈ 15.84 km/s. Step 5: Option B is wrong — escape velocity does change if M/R changes. Option C (22.4) would result if only M quadrupled with R unchanged: √4 × 11.2 = 22.4. Option D would arise if only R doubled with M unchanged, giving v_esc/√2.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Gravitation for NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Gravitation include Correct vs Incorrect Thinking: Key Gravitation Concepts, Gravitation — Complete Chapter Mind Map, Gravitation — Complete Concept Map. These are the concepts NIOS Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Gravitation — NIOS Class 12 Physics?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 45 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

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