Gravitation

Gravitational force
Gravitational force is the weakest force out of the four forces. When gravitational
force is considered for massive objects, such as the sun, or giant planets, the
gravitational force is considered to be strong as the masses of these objects are
also large. On an atomic level, this force is considered weak.

Gravitation and Gravity

Gravitation is the force of attraction between any two bodies whereas gravity is
the force of attraction between two bodies when one of the two bodies is earth.
Hence gravity is a special case of gravitation.

RELATION BETWEEN ‘g’ AND ‘G’:

The differences between G and g should be clearly understood. They have
different values and different units. G is a universal constant whereas g has to be
defined separately for the earth, the moon, the sun, Mars, etc. In each case g will
have a different value. Also, if one goes above the earth’s surface goes into a deep
mine, the value of g changes.

VALUE OF g ON EARTH:
To calculator the value of g, we should put the values of G = 6.7 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2;
mass of the earth M = 6 x 1024 kg and radius of the earth (R) = 6.4 x 106 m, in the
formula :

Thus, value of acceleration due to gravity of the earth, g = 9.8 m/s2

The Universal Law of Gravitation

Newton’s Law of gravitation states that every object in the universe attracts every
other object by a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses
and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

where G is the universal gravitation constant.

Value of G = 6.673*10-11Nm2Kg-

The Moon’s Falling – Moon’s Revolution around Earth

The moon revolves around the Earth due to centripetal force, which is the force of
gravity of the Earth. If the force of attraction between the Earth and the moon
ceases, then the moon will continue to travel in a straight-line path tangential to
its orbit around the Earth.Centripetal Force

Centripetal Force
When a body undergoes circular motion, it experiences a force that acts towards
the centre of the circle. This centre-seeking force is called a centripetal force.

Centripetal force is the force on an object on a circular path that keeps the object
moving on the path. It is always directed towards the center and its magnitude is
constant, based on the mass of the object, its tangential velocity, and the distance
of the object (radius) from the center of the circular path.

Universal Law Of Gravitation

Newton's law of universal gravitation says that every particle attracts every other
particle in the universe with a force that is proportional to the product of their
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their
centers.

Universal Gravitation Equation

Newton’s conclusion about the magnitude of gravitational force is summarized
symbolically as

where, F is the gravitational force between bodies, m1 and m2 are the masses of
the bodies, r is the distance between the centres of two bodies, G is the universal
gravitational constant.

The constant proportionality (G) in the above equation is known as the universal
gravitation constant. Henry Cavendish experimentally determined the precise
value of G. The value of G is found to be G = 6.673 x 10-11 N m2/kg2.

The Universal Gravitational Law can explain almost anything, right from how an
apple falls from a tree to why the moon revolves around the earth.

Q1

What is Newton’s universal law of gravitation?

Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation states that every particle attracts every
other particle in the universe with force directly proportional to the product of the
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Q2

What is gravitational force?

The universal force of attraction acting between objects is known as the
gravitational force.

Q3

Give one example for gravitational force.

The force acting between the Sun and the Earth is one example of gravitational
force.

Free Fall
Free fall is the movement of an object or body only under the influence of gravity.
The acceleration is caused by this external force on the object, hence the motion
of the object will be accelerated. Thus, free-fall motion is also popularly known as
acceleration due to gravity.

1. Free fall is defined as a situation in which an object moves only under the
influence of gravity.

2. An external force acts on the ball, which accelerates its movement. This
acceleration of free fall is also known as gravitational acceleration.

3. Free fall is just a downward movement with no initial force or velocity.

Therefore, the free fall of any object is just a natural phenomenon on Earth
without support.

Free fall is the movement of an object or body only under the influence of gravity.
The acceleration is caused by this external force on the object, hence the motion
of the object will be accelerated. Thus, free-fall motion is also popularly known as
acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration in this motion is constant because
the gravitational force rather than the pull is downwards and has a constant value.
And the scenario will even be the same when a body has zero gravity. For
example, say that the body is thrown upwards. Hence, the term acceleration due
to gravity means that the motion of an object under free fall with constant
acceleration (g) towards the Earth can be calculated as,

g = 9.8m/s²

Motion Under Gravity

In the universe, when an object is lifted or away from the ground, then a force is
applied to the object in the downward direction. This force is known as the gravity
force. When an object moves due to the application of the gravity force, its
motion is known as a motion under gravity. The gravity of the earth pulls the
object towards itself with an acceleration which is known as acceleration due to
gravity. This force occurs due to the gravitational pull of the earth which follows
the concept of Gravitational forces.

Equations
When an object undergoes a motion due to the action of gravity, then are some
standard equations of motion that are followed for the analysis of the motion of
the object. Just like the equation of motion for normal horizontal forces.

VARIATION IN ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY (g):

The relation between g and G is GRAVITY

It shows that value of g depends on gravitational constant G, mass of Earth M and

radius of the Earth R. Now, G and M both are constants. But radius of earth R is
not constant as Earth is not a perfect sphere. Therefore, value of g changes from
place to place on the surface of earth.

a) Effect of shape of Earth on 'g'

As is known, Earth is flattened at the poles and bulged out at the equator.
Therefore, polar radius of Earth = Rp is minimum, and equatorial radius of Earth =
Re is maximum.

Acceleration due to gravity at poles, GRAVITY = maximum, as Rp is minimum

Acceleration due to gravity at equator, GRAVITY = minimum, as Re is maximum

(b) Effect of height above the surface of Earth on 'g'

As we move above the surface of the Earth, the distance (r) from the centre of
earth increases. As GRAVITY, therefore, value of acceleration due to gravity
decreases with height above the surface of Earth.

(c) Effect of depth below the surface of Earth on 'g'

Most of you might be thinking that as we go down the surface of Earth, the value
of radius of Earth R decreases. Therefore, g must be increasing. But it is not true.
You will learn in higher classes that the value of acceleration due to gravity
decreases as we go down inside the Earth. So much so that at the centre of Earth,
g = 0.

Hence, we conclude that value of acceleration due to gravity is maximum at the

surface of Earth. It decreases as we move above the surface of Earth or go inside
the surface of Earth
EQUATIONS OF MOTION FOR FREELY FALLING OBJECT:
Equation of Motion of Freely Falling Bodies

When the bodies are falling under influence of gravity, they experience
acceleration g i.e., 9.8 ms–2. However, when these are going up against gravity,
they move with retardation of 9.8 ms–2. All the equations of motion already read
by us are valid for freely falling body with the difference that a is replaced by g.
For motions vertically upwards a is replaced by – g.

Thus equation of motion

General equationsof motion forof motionfreely falling bodies

v = u + at changes to v = u + gt

s = ut +1/2at2 changes to h = ut + 1/2gt2

v2 = u2 + 2as changes to v2 = u2 + 2gh

We shall use these modified equations to solve numerical problems. Before we do

that, we should remember the following important points for the motion of freely
falling bodies.

When a body is dropped freely from a height, its initial velocity ‘u’ becomes zero.

When a body is thrown vertically upwards, its final velocity ‘v’ becomes zero.

The time taken by a body to rise to the highest point is equal to the time it takes
to fall from the same height.

The distance traveled by a freely falling body is directly proportional to the square
of time of fall.

Sign Conventions:
g is taken as positive when it is acting in the same direction as that of motion and
g is taken as negativewhen it is opposing the motion.
Distance measured upward from the point of projection is taken as positive, while
distance measured downward from the point of projection is taken as negative.

Velocity measured away from the surface of earth (i.e. in upward direction) is
taken as positive, while velocity measured towards the surface of the earth is
taken as negative.

General equationsof motion forof motionfreely falling bodies

v = u + at changes to v = u + gt

s = ut +1/2at2 changes to h = ut + 1/2gt2

v2 = u2 + 2as changes to v2 = u2 + 2gh

We shall use these modified equations to solve numerical problems. Before we do

that, we should remember the following important points for the motion of freely
falling bodies.When a body is dropped freely from a height, its initial velocity ‘u’
becomes zero.

When a body is thrown vertically upwards, its final velocity ‘v’ becomes zero.

The time taken by a body to rise to the highest point is equal to the time it takes
to fall from the same height.

The distance traveled by a freely falling body is directly proportional to the square
of time of fall.

Sign Conventions:
g is taken as positive when it is acting in the same direction as that of motion and
g is taken as negativewhen it is opposing the motion.

Distance measured upward from the point of projection is taken as positive, while
distance measured downward from the point of projection is taken as negative.

Velocity measured away from the surface of earth (i.e. in upward direction) is
taken as positive, while velocity measured towards the surface of the earth is
taken as negative.