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NEET PHYSICSGRAVITATIONEasy

Question

The dependence of acceleration due to gravity g on the distance r from the centre of the earth assumed to be a sphere of radius R of uniform density is as shown in the figure below:

A

Graph showing linear increase up to R, then curvilinear decrease

B

Graph showing constant g up to R, then decrease

C

Graph showing curvilinear increase

D

Graph showing linear decrease

Step-by-Step Solution

The acceleration due to gravity (gg) varies with the distance (rr) from the centre of the Earth as follows:

  1. Inside the Earth (r<Rr < R): Assuming the Earth to be a sphere of uniform density, gg is directly proportional to the distance from the centre. The formula is g=GMR3rg = \frac{GM}{R^3}r, which implies grg \propto r. This relationship is represented by a straight line passing through the origin and increasing up to the surface.
  2. At the Surface (r=Rr = R): The value of gg is maximum, g=GMR2g = \frac{GM}{R^2}.
  3. Outside the Earth (r>Rr > R): The value of gg decreases as the distance increases, following the inverse square law. The formula is g=GMr2g = \frac{GM}{r^2}, which implies g1r2g \propto \frac{1}{r^2}. This is represented by a curve (hyperbola) decreasing asymptotically towards zero.

Therefore, the correct graph shows a linear increase for r<Rr < R and a curvilinear decrease for r>Rr > R.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET PHYSICS syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from GRAVITATION. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

PHYSICSGRAVITATIONdependenceaccelerationgravitydistancecentre

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