Newton’s law of gravitation

Force of attraction between two point

masses
𝐺𝑚1 𝑀2
𝐹 =
𝑟2
Direction along the line joining of point
masses.  Outside the shell 𝐸𝑔 =
𝐺𝑀
, where
𝑟2
 It is a conservation force field ⇒
r>R
mechanical energy is conserved. 𝐺𝑀
 On the surface 𝐸𝑔 = , where r
 It is a central force field ⇒ angular 𝑟2

momentum is conserved. =R
𝐺𝑀𝑟
 Inside the shell 𝐸𝑔 = , where
𝑅3
Gravitational field due to r<R
spherical shell [Note: Direction always towards the
centre of the sphere]

Acceleration due to gravity 𝒈 =

𝑮𝑴
𝑹𝟐
𝐺𝑀
 At height h : 𝑔ℎ = (𝑅 + ℎ)2
2ℎ
If h << R : 𝑔ℎ ≈ 𝑔𝑠 (1 − )
𝑅
𝐺𝑀(𝑅−𝑑)
 At depth d : 𝑔𝑑 = =
𝑅3
𝑑
𝐺𝑀 𝑔𝑠 (1 − 𝑅)
 Outside the shell 𝐸𝑔 = , where
𝑟2  Effect of rotation on g : 𝑔′ = 𝑔 −
r>R
𝐺𝑀
𝜔2 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠^2𝜆
 On the surface 𝐸𝑔 = , where r Where λ is angle of latitude.
𝑟2
=R
 Inside the shell 𝐸𝑔 = 0 , where r < Gravitational potential
R Due to a point mass at a distance r; 𝑉 =
𝐺𝑀
− 𝑟
Gravitational field due to solid
sphere Gravitational potential due to
spherical shell
 𝐺𝑀 𝐺𝑀
𝑉0 = √ = √
𝑟 (𝑅 + ℎ)
𝐺𝑀
 for nearby satellite 𝑉0 = √ =
𝑅
𝑉𝑒
√2
Here 𝑉𝑒 = escape velocity on earth
 Outside the shell 𝑉 = −
𝐺𝑀
,r>R surface.
𝑟
 Inside and on the surface the shell
𝐺𝑀 Time period of satellite
𝑉 = − ,r≤R
𝑅 3
2𝜋𝑟 2𝜋𝑟 2
𝑇 = =
Potential due to solid sphere 𝑣 √𝐺𝑀
Energies of a satellite
𝐺𝑀𝑚
 Potential energy 𝑈 = − 𝑟
1 𝐺𝑀𝑚
 Kinetic energy 𝐾 = 𝑚𝑣 2
=
2 2𝑟
 Mechanical energy or total energy
𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝐸 = 𝑈 + 𝐾 = − 2𝑟
 Binding energy 𝐵𝐸 = −𝐸 =
𝐺𝑀𝑚
− 2𝑟
𝐺𝑀
 Outside the sphere 𝑉 = − ,r>
𝑟
Kepler’s laws
R
𝐺𝑀  𝑰𝒔𝒕 law (law of orbit) path of a
 On the surface 𝑉 = − ,r=R
𝑟 planet is elliptical with the sun at a
 Inside the sphere 𝑉 = focus.
𝐺𝑀(3𝑅2 −𝑟 2)
− ,r>R  𝑰𝑰𝒏𝒅 law (law of area) Areal
2𝑅3
𝑑𝐴 𝐿
Potential on the axis of a thin velocity = constant =
𝑑𝑡 2𝑚
ring at a distance x  𝑰𝑰𝑰𝒓𝒅 law (law of period) 𝑇 2 ∝ 𝑎3
𝐺𝑀 𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 3
𝑉 = − or 𝑇2 ∝ ( ) ∝
2
√𝑅2 + 𝑥2 (𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠)3 For circular
orbits 𝑇 2 ∝ 𝑅3
Escape velocity from the surface
a planet of mass M & radius R KEY POINTS
2𝐺𝑀  At the centre of earth, a body has
𝑉𝑒 = √ = √2𝑔𝑅 centre of mass, but no centre of
𝑅
gravity.
Orbital velocity of satellite  The centre of mass and centre of
gravity of a body coincide if
gravitation field is uniform.
  You do not experience
gravitational force in daily life due
to objects of same size as value of
G is very small
 Moon travellers tie heavy weight
at their back before landing on
Moon due to smaller value of g at
Moon.
 Space rockets are usually launched
in equatorial line from west to
East because g is minimum at
equator and earth rotates from
West to East about its axis.
 Angular momentum in
gravitational field is conserved
because gravitational force is a
central force.
 Kepler’s second law or constancy
of areal velocity is a consequence
of conservation of angular
momentum.
 Geostationary satellites have same
angular velocity (𝜔
⃗ ) as earth.
 Height of a geostationary satellite
is approximately 36000 km.
 Time period of nearly earth
𝑅
satellite is 2𝜋√𝑔 ≈ 84.6 minutes.

Speed of planet is maximum at perihelion.

Speed of planet is minimum at aphelion.
 For a spherical body (Mass = M,
Radius = R) to be a black hole.
2𝐺𝑀
𝑉𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒 = √ ≥𝑐
𝑅