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NEET PHYSICSEasy

A spherical planet has a mass MpM_p and diameter DpD_p. A particle of mass mm falling freely near the surface of this planet will experience acceleration due to gravity equal to:

A

4GMpmDp2\frac{4GM_pm}{D_p^2}

B

4GMpDp2\frac{4GM_p}{D_p^2}

C

GMpmDp2\frac{GM_pm}{D_p^2}

D

GMpDp2\frac{GM_p}{D_p^2}

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Formula for Acceleration Due to Gravity: The acceleration due to gravity (gg) on the surface of a planet with mass MpM_p and radius RpR_p is derived from Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. The gravitational force on a mass mm is F=GMpmRp2F = \frac{GM_p m}{R_p^2}. By Newton's second law, force F=mgF = mg. Therefore, the acceleration is g=Fm=GMpRp2g = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{GM_p}{R_p^2} [Equation 7.9].
  2. Substitute Diameter: The problem provides the diameter DpD_p. The radius is half the diameter: Rp=Dp2R_p = \frac{D_p}{2}.
  3. Calculation: Substitute RpR_p into the equation for gg: g=GMp(Dp/2)2=GMpDp2/4=4GMpDp2g = \frac{GM_p}{(D_p/2)^2} = \frac{GM_p}{D_p^2 / 4} = \frac{4GM_p}{D_p^2} Note that acceleration due to gravity is independent of the mass of the falling particle (mm).
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