Gravitation:

“It is the force of attraction between any two bodies in the universe by virtue of
their masses”.

Universal law of Gravitation(Newton’s law of gravitation)

Statement :
The magnitude of gravitational force of attraction between two bodies is directly
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to square of
the distance between them. The direction acts along the line joining the two bodies.
Explanation:

m1 F m2
F

d
-----------------------------------------------------------
Let m1 and m2 be the masses of two bodies separated by a distance d.
Let F be the force of attraction between them.
From Newton’s law of gravitation,
𝑚1𝑚2 𝐺𝑚1𝑚2
F𝛼 𝑑2
=> F = 𝑑2
Where G is the Universal gravitational constant
GRAVITATIONAL CONSTANT(G)

𝐺𝑚1𝑚2
We have, F =
𝑑2

If m1=m2=1Kg,
d=1m
Then, F=G or G=F
Definition of Gravitational Constant :
“Gravitational Constant is numerically equal to the force of attraction between the
two bodies each of mass 1Kg and separated by a distance of 1 meter”.
WHY GRAVITATIONAL CONSTANT IS CALLED AS UNIVERSAL
GRAVITATIONAL CONSTANT?

The value of G does not depend on

1. The nature of the bodies.
2. The nature of the medium between the two bodies.
3. The physical conditions such as temperature, pressure, etc. of surrounding medium.

 S.I unit of Gravitational Constant is 𝑁𝑚2 𝐾𝑔−2 .

 It’s dimensional formula is [G]= [𝑀−1 𝐿3 𝑇 −2 ].
 The scientist Cavendish determined the value of G experimentally in 1798.
It’s value is given by 6.67 × 10−11 𝑁𝑚2 𝐾𝑔−2 .
GRAVITY :

“It is the force of attraction exerted by the earth on a body”.

Acceleration due to gravity(g):

“It is the acceleration produced in the motion of body due to gravity”.
Derive the relation between acceleration due to gravity(g) & Gravitational constant(G):
m

R
M
In the above figure,
M is the mass of the earth,
m is the mass of the body,
R is the radius of the earth,
From Newton’s law of gravitation , we have
𝐺𝑀𝑚
F=
𝑅2
but F=weight=mg
𝐺𝑀
Therefore, g =
𝑅2
DERIVE THE EXPRESSION FOR ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY AT A
POINT BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH.
In the above figure,
A is a point on the surface of the earth.
B is the point at a depth d from the surface of earth.
C is the centre of earth.
M is the mass of the earth of radius R with respect to the point A.
𝑀1 is the mass of Shaded position of the earth of radius (R-d).
Acceleration due to gravity at point A
𝐺𝑀
g = 2 1
𝑅
Where G= Universal Gravitational constant,
Acceleration due to gravity at the point B,
𝐺𝑀1
𝑔𝑑 = 2
(𝑅−𝑑)2
1 𝑔𝑑 𝐺𝑀1 𝑅2
= = × 3
2 𝑔 (𝑅−𝑑)2 𝐺𝑀
We have,
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
Density =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
=> mass = density × volume
Mass of the earth of radius R =
Density × volume of the sphere of radius(R-d)
 4
𝑀1 =𝜌 × 𝜋𝑅3 4
3
Mass of the earth of radius (R-d)
= Density × volume of the sphere of radius(R-d)
4
𝑀1 = 𝜌 × 𝜋(𝑅 − 𝑑)3 5
3
(assume 𝜌 is constant)
Equation 4 & 5 in 3,
4
𝑔𝑑 𝐺𝜌 3𝜋(𝑅−𝑑)3 𝑅2
(3)=> = 4
𝑔 (𝑅−𝑑)2 𝐺𝜌 3𝜋𝑅3
𝑔𝑑 𝑅−𝑑
= ( )
𝑔 𝑅

𝑑
=> 𝑔𝑑 = g (1- )
𝑅
Derive the expression for acceleration due to gravity at appoint above the
surface of the earth
 In the above figure,
A is a point at height h from the surface of the Earth.
B is the point on the surface of the Earth.
C is the Centre of the Earth.
M is the mass of the Earth.
R is the radius of the Earth.
Acceleration due to gravity at the point A is given by,
𝐺𝑀
𝑔ℎ = 1
(𝑅+ℎ)2

where G=gravitational constant.

Acceleration due to gravity on surface of the Earth is given by,
𝐺𝑀
𝑔= 2
𝑅2
 1 𝑔ℎ 𝐺𝑀 𝑅2
=> = × 3
2 𝑔 (𝑅+ℎ)2 𝐺𝑀
𝑅 2
𝑔ℎ = g [ ]
𝑅+ℎ
𝑅+ℎ −2
𝑔ℎ = g [ ]
𝑅
ℎ
𝑔ℎ = g [1+ ]−2
𝑅

On expanding above equation using binomial theorem and neglecting higher order
terms, we get
2ℎ
𝑔ℎ = g [1- ] (Approximate formula)
𝑅
 𝑅 2
Consider the equation 𝑔ℎ = g [ ]
𝑅+ℎ

It is found that the acceleration due to gravity decreases as height increases.

𝑅
when h =
2
4
then 𝑔ℎ = 𝑔
9
Planets :
“ These are the celestial bodies revolving around the sun”.

Kepler’s law of Planetary motion

First law (Law of Orbits) :
“All planets move around the sun in elliptical orbital with the sun at one of
the foci”.
Second law (Law of areas) :
“An imaginary line that join the planet and the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal
intervals of time”.

A
E
Sun
t t
D
C

Where ‘t’ is the time

In the above figure , Area of ABC = Area of DBE
Third law (Law of periods) :
“Square of the period of revolution of the planet around the Sun is directly
proportional to the cube of the length of the semi major axis of ellipse”.

Let T be the period of the planet and ‘r’ be the length of the major axis.
From law of period, 𝑇 2 𝛼 𝑟 3