Latest Maharashtra State Board (SSC & HSC) 2026-27 Syllabus Digest & Solutions Updated!
Class 11 (FYJC / HSC)Physics2026-27 Syllabus

Chapter 5 Gravitation Solutions

Complete Maharashtra State Board Balbharati & Yuvakbharati textbook solutions for Chapter 5 Gravitation. Step-by-step solved exercises, numerical problems, and digest answers.

49 Solved Questions11 Diagrams3068 words

Maharashtra State Board 11th Physics Solutions Chapter 5 Gravitation

1. Choose the correct option.

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution
The value of acceleration due to gravity is maximum at (A) the equator of the Earth (B) the centre of the Earth. (C) the pole of the Earth. (D) slightly above the surface of the Earth.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
(C) the pole of the Earth.
Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution
The weight of a particle at the centre of the Earth is _________ (A) infinite. (B) zero. (C) same as that at other places. (D) greater than at the poles.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
(B) zero.
Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution
The gravitational potential due to the Earth is minimum at (A) the centre of the Earth. (B) the surface of the Earth. (C) a points inside the Earth but not at its centre. (D) infinite distance.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
(A) the centre of the Earth.
Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution
The binding energy of a satellite revolving around planet in a circular orbit is 3 × 109 J. Its kinetic energy is _________ (A) 6 × 109 J (B) -3 × 109 J (C) -6 × 10+9 J (D) 3 × 10+9J
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
(D) 3 × 10+9J

2. Answer the following questions.

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution
State Kepler’s law equal of area.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The line that joins a planet and the Sun sweeps equal areas in equal intervals of time.
Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution
State Kepler’s law of period.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The square of the time period of revolution of a planet around the Sun is proportional to the cube of the semimajor axis of the ellipse traced by the planet.
Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution
What are the dimensions of the universal gravitational constant?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The dimensions of universal gravitational constant are: [L3M-1T-2].
Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution
Define binding energy of a satellite.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The minimum energy required by a satellite to escape from Earth ‘s gravitational influence is the binding energy of the satellite.
Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution
What do you mean by geostationary satellite?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Some satellites that revolve around the Earth in equatorial plane have same sense of rotation as that of the Earth. The also have the same period of rotation as that of the Earth i.e.. 24 hours. Due to this, these satellites appear stationary from the Earth’s surface and are known as geostationary satellites.
Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution
State Newton’s law of gravitation.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Statement: Every particle of matter attracts every other particle of matter with a force which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution
Define escape velocity of a satellite.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The minimum velocity with which a both’ should he thrown vertically upwards from the surface of the Earth so that it escapes the Earth ‘s gravitational field, is called the escape velocity (ve) of the body.
Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution
What is the variation in acceleration due to gravity with altitude?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Variation in acceleration due to gravity due to altitude is given by, gh = g where, gh = acceleration due to gravity of an object placed at h altitude g = acceleration due to gravity on surface of the Earth R = radius of the Earth h = attitude height of the object from the surface of the Earth. Hence, acceleration due to gravity decreases with increase in altitude.
Question 9 Maharashtra Board Solution
On which factors does the escape speed of a body from the surface of Earth depend?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The escape speed depends only on the mass and radius of the planet. [Note: Escape velocity does not depend upon the mass of the body]
Question 10 Maharashtra Board Solution
As we go from one planet to another planet, how will the mass and weight of a body change?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 11 Maharashtra Board Solution
What is periodic time of a geostationary satellite?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The periodic time of a geostationary satellite is same as that of the Earth i.e., one day or 24 hours.
Question 12 Maharashtra Board Solution
State Newton’s law of gravitation and express it in vector form.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 13 Maharashtra Board Solution
What do you mean by gravitational constant? State its SI units.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 14 Maharashtra Board Solution
Why is a minimum two stage rocket necessary for launching of a satellite?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 15 Maharashtra Board Solution
State the conditions for various possible orbits of a satellite depending upon the horizontal speed of projection
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The path of the satellite depends upon the value of horizontal speed of projection vh relative to critical velocity vc and escape velocity ve. Case (I) vh < vc: The orbit of satellite is an ellipse with point of projection as apogee and Earth at one of the foci. During this elliptical path, if the satellite passes through the Earth’s atmosphere. it experiences a nonconservative force of air resistance. As a result it loses energy and spirals down to the Earth. Case (II) vh = vc: The satellite moves in a stable circular orbit around the Earth. Case (III) vc < vh < ve: The satellite moves in an elliptical orbit round the Earth with the point of projection as perigee. Case (IV) vh = ve The satellite travels along parabolic path and never returns to the point of projection. Its speed will be zero at infinity. Case (V) vh > ve: The satellite escapes from gravitational influence of Earth traversing a hyperbolic path.

3. Answer the following questions in detail.

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution
Derive an expression for critical velocity of a satellite.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Expression for critical velocity:
Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution
State any four applications of a communication satellite.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Applications of communication satellite:
Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution
Show that acceleration due to gravity at height h above the Earth’s surface is gh = g()2
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Variation of g due to altitude:
Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution
Draw a labelled diagram to show different trajectories of a satellite depending upon the tangential projection speed.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
vh = horizontal speed of projection v c = critical velocity ve = escape velocity

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution
Derive an expression for binding energy of a body at rest on the Earth’s surface.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution
Why do astronauts in an orbiting satellite have a feeling of weightlessness?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution
Draw a graph showing the variation of gravitational acceleration due to the depth and altitude from the Earth’s surface.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution
At which place on the Earth’s surface is the gravitational acceleration maximum? Why?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 9 Maharashtra Board Solution
At which place on the Earth surface the gravitational acceleration minimum? Why?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 10 Maharashtra Board Solution
Define the binding energy of a satellite. Obtain an expression for binding energy of a satellite revolving around the Earth at certain attitude.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The minimum energy required by a satellite to escape from Earth ‘s gravitational influence is the binding energy of the satellite. Expression for binding energy of satellite revolving in circular orbit round the Earth:
Question 11 Maharashtra Board Solution
Obtain the formula for acceleration due to gravity at the depth ‘d’ below the Earth’s surface.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 12 Maharashtra Board Solution
State Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 13 Maharashtra Board Solution
State the formula for acceleration due to gravity at depth ‘d’ and altitude ‘h’ Hence show that their ratio is equal to by assuming that the altitude is very small as compared to the radius of the Earth.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 14 Maharashtra Board Solution
What is critical velocity? Obtain an expression for critical velocity of an orbiting satellite. On what factors does it depend?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
The exact horizontal velocity of projection that must be given to a satellite at a certain height so that it can revolve in a circular orbIt round the Earth is called the critical velocity or orbital velocity (vc). Expression for critical velocity:
Question 15 Maharashtra Board Solution
Define escape speed. Derive an expression for the escape speed of an object from the surface of the earth.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 16 Maharashtra Board Solution
Describe how an artificial satellite using two stage rocket is launched in an orbit around the Earth.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:

4. Solve the following problems.

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution
At what distance below the surface of the Earth, the acceleration due to gravity decreases by 10% of its value at the surface, given radius of Earth is 6400 km.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: gd = 90% of g i.e., = 0.9, R = 6400km = 6.4 × 106 m To find: Distance below the Earth’s surface (d) At distance 640 km below the surface of the Earth, value of acceleration due to gravity decreases by 10%.

Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution
If the Earth were made of wood, the mass of wooden Earth would have been 10% as much as it is now (without change in its diameter). Calculate escape speed from the surface of this Earth.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
As, we know that the escape speed from surface of the Earth is 11.2 km/s, Substituting value of ve = 11.2 km/s Vew = 11.2 × = 11.2 × …………… [Taking square root value] = antilog {log(1 1.2) –  Log(3.162)} = antilog {1.0492 – 0.5000} = antilog {0.5492} = 3.542 ∴ Vew = 3.54km/s The escape velocity from the surface of wooden Earth is 3.54 km/s.

Question 3 Maharashtra Board Solution
Calculate the kinetic energy, potential energy, total energy and binding energy of an artificial satellite of mass 2000 kg orbiting at a height of 3600 km above the surface of the Earth. Given:- G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2/kg2 R = 6400 km M = 6 × 1024 kg
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given:- m = 2000 kg, h = 3600 km = 3.6 × 106 m, G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2/kg2 R = 6400 km M = 6 × 1024 kg

To find: i) Kninetic energy (K.E.)
ii) Potential Energy (P.E.)
iii) Total Energy (T.E.)
iv) Binding Energy (B.E.)

From formula (ii),
P.E. = -2 × 40.02 × 109
= -80.04 × 109J
From formula (iii),
T.E. = (40.02 × 109) + (-80.02 × 109)
= -40.02 × 109J
From formula (iv),
B.E.= -(-40.02 × 109)
= 40.02 × 109J
Kinetic energy of the satellite is 40.02 × 109J, potential energy is -80.04 × 109J, total energy is -40.02 × 109J and binding energy is 40.02 × 109J.
[Note: Total energy of orbiting satellite is negative.]

Question 4 Maharashtra Board Solution
Two satellites A and B are revolving around a planet. Their periods of revolution are 1 hour and 8 hours respectively. The radius of orbit of satellite B is 4 × 104 km. find radius of orbit of satellite A.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: TA = 1 hour, TB = 8 hour, rB = 4 × 104 km To find: Radius of orbit of satellite A (rA) Radius of orbit of satellite A will be 1 × 104 km.

Question 5 Maharashtra Board Solution
Find the gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth. Given Mass of the Sun = 1.99 × 1030 kg Mass of the Earth = 5.98 × 1024 kg The average distance between the Earth and the Sun = 1.5 × 1011 m.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: MS = 1.99 × 1030 kg ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 1.5 × 1011 m. To find: Gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth (F) Formula: F = Calculation:As, we know, G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2/kg2 From formula, = antilog {(log(6.67) + log( 1.99) + log(5.98) – log(2.25)} × 1021 = antilog {(0.8241) + (0.2989) + (0.7767) – (0.3522)} × 1021 = antilog {1.5475} × 1021 = 35.28 × 1021 = 3.5 × 1022 N The gravitational force between the Sun and the Earth is 3.5 × 1022 N.

Question 6 Maharashtra Board Solution
Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at a height of 300 km from the surface of the Earth. (M = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6400 km).
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: h = 300 km = 0.3 × 106 m, M = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6400km = 6.4 × 106 m G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2/kg2 To find: Acceleration due to gravity at height (gh) Formula: gh =

Calculation: From formula,
gh=
=
6.67 X 10” x 5.98 X iO
= antilog {log(6.67) + log(5.98) – 2log(6.7)} × 10
= antilog{0.8241 + 0.7767 – 2(0.8261)} × 10
= antilog {1.6008 – 1.6522} × 10
= antilog {.9486} × 10
= 0.8884 × 10 = 8.884 m/s2
Acceleration due to gravity at 300 km will be 8.884 m/s2.

Question 7 Maharashtra Board Solution
Calculate the speed of a satellite in an orbit at a height of 1000 km from the Earth’s surface. ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6.4 × 106 m.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: h = 1000 km = 1 × 106 m, ME = 5.98 × 1024 kg, R = 6.4 × 106 m, G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2/kg2 To find: Speed of satellite (vc) Speed of the satellite at height 1000 km is 7.34 × 103 m/s.

Question 8 Maharashtra Board Solution
Calculate the value of acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Mars if the radius of Mars = 3.4 × 103 km and its mass is 6.4 × 1023 kg.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: M = 6.4 × 1023 kg R = 3.4 × 103 = 3.4 × 106 m, To find: Acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Mars (gM) Formula: g = Calculation: As, G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2/kg2 From formula, gM = = antilog {log(6.67) + log(6.4) – log(3.4) – log(3.4)} = antilog {(0.8241) + (0.8062) – (0.5315) – (0.53 15)} = antilog {0.5673} = 3.693 m/s2 Acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Mars is 3.693 m/s2.
Question 9 Maharashtra Board Solution
A planet has mass 6.4 × 1024 kg and radius 3.4 × 106 m. Calculate energy required to remove on object of mass 800 kg from the surface of the planet to infinity.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: M = 6.4 × 1024 kg, R = 3.4 × 106 m, m = 800 kg To find:   Energy required to remove the object from surface of planet to infinity = B.E. Formula:    B.E. = Calculation: We know that, G = 6.67 × 10-11 N m2/kg2 From formula, = antilog{log(6.67) + log(51.2) – log(3.4)} × 109 = antilog{0.8241 + 1.7093 – 0.5315} × 109 = antilog {2.0019} × 109 = 1.004 × 102 × 109 = 1.004 × 1011 J Energy required to remove the object from the surface of the planet is 1.004 × 1011 J. [Note: Answer calculated above ¡s in accordance with retual methods of calculation.]

Question 10 Maharashtra Board Solution
Calculate the value of the universal gravitational constant from the given data. Mass of the Earth = 6 × 1024 kg, Radius of the Earth = 6400 km and the acceleration due to gravity on the surface = 9.8 m/s2
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: M = 6 × 1024 kg, R = 6400km = 6.4 × 106 m, g = 9.8 m/s2 To find: Gravitational constant (G) Formula. g = Calculation: From formula, G = G = ∴ G = 6.69 × 10-11 N m2/kg2 The value of gravitational constant is 6.69 × 10-11 N m2/kg2.
Question 11 Maharashtra Board Solution
A body weighs 5.6 kg wt on the surface of the Earth. How much will be its weight on a planet whose mass is 1/7 times the mass of the Earth and radius twice that of the Earth’s radius.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: WE = 5.6 kg-wt., = 2 To find: Weight of the body on the surface of planet (Wp) Formula: W = mg = Calculation: From formula, Weight of the body on the surface of a planet will be 0.2 kg-wt. [Note: The answer given above is calculated in accordance with textual method considering the given data].

Question 12 Maharashtra Board Solution
What is the gravitational potential due to the Earth at a point which is at a height of 2RE above the surface of the Earth, Mass of the Earth is 6 × 1024 kg, radius of the Earth = 6400 km and G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2.
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Given: M = 6 × 1024 kg, RE = 6400km = 6.4 × 106 m, G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2/kg2, h = 2RE To find: Gravitational potential (V) Formula: V = – Calculation: From formula, = -2.08 × 107 J kg-1 Negative sign indicates the attractive nature of gravitational potential. Gravitational potential due to Earth will be 2.08 × 107 J kg-1 towards the centre of the Earth. [Note: According lo definition of gravitational potential its SI unit is J/kg.]

11th Physics Digest Chapter 5 Gravitation Intext Questions and Answers

Can you recall? (Textbook Page No. 78)

Question 1 Maharashtra Board Solution
i) What are Kepler’s laws? ii)What is the shape of the orbits of planets?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
Question 2 Maharashtra Board Solution
When released from certain height why do objects tend to fall vertically downwards?
Solution & Step-by-Step Answer:
When released from certain height, objects tend to fall vertically downwards because of the gravitational force exerted by the Earth.