Class 11 Physics - MP
Gravitation
The chapter Gravitation in Class 11 Physics under the MPBSE curriculum explores the universal law of gravitation formulated by Sir Isaac Newton. Students learn about gravitational force, acceleration due to gravity (g), and how it varies with height, depth, and the earth's shape. The chapter also covers gravitational potential energy, escape velocity, and the motion of satellites, including Kepler's laws of planetary motion. This is a high-scoring and conceptually vital chapter for MPBSE board exams, frequently featuring both numerical problems and derivations that test fundamental mechanics.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Newton's Law of Gravitation
Every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Acceleration Due to Gravity (g)
The uniform acceleration produced in a freely falling body due to the gravitational pull of the earth, denoted as g with a standard value of 9.8 m/s².
Variation of g
The value of acceleration due to gravity changes with altitude (height), depth inside the earth, and latitude due to the earth's rotation and shape.
Escape Velocity
The minimum velocity required for an object to break free from the gravitational pull of a planet or celestial body and never return.
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
Three empirical laws describing the orbits of planets around the sun: Law of Orbits, Law of Areas, and Law of Periods.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Madhya Pradesh Board (MPBSE) Class 11 Physics examination, the Gravitation chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include a mix of 1-mark objective questions, 2-mark short answers (such as defining escape velocity or stating Kepler's laws), and a 3 or 4-mark derivation or numerical problem involving the variation of 'g' or orbital velocity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between G and g?
G is the Universal Gravitational Constant whose value remains constant everywhere in the universe (6.67 x 10^-11 N m²/kg²), whereas g is the acceleration due to gravity whose value changes from place to place on earth.
Why does the value of g decrease with depth?
As you go deep inside the earth, the effective mass of the earth pulling you downward decreases, which reduces the gravitational pull and hence the value of g.
What is a geostationary satellite?
A satellite that revolves around the earth in the same direction as the earth's rotation with a time period of 24 hours, appearing stationary relative to a fixed point on earth.
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