Upgrade to get full access
Kumar Rohan

Physics and Mathematics

Gravitation — Complete Formula

  • ⭐ – Most used in JEE
  • ⚠️ – Common Mistake
  • 💡 – Memory Hint

Newton’s Law of Gravitation

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Gravitational Force [F = G \dfrac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}] [F] = force, [G] = gravitational constant, [m_1, m_2] = masses, [r] = separation N Always attractive ⭐
Value of G [G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}] N·m²/kg² Universal constant

💡 Memory Hint:
Force ∝ product of masses / square of distance


Gravitational Field & Acceleration

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Gravitational Field [g = \dfrac{F}{m}] [g] = field, [F] = force, [m] = test mass N/kg Force per unit mass
Field due to Mass [g = G \dfrac{M}{r^2}] [M] = mass of body m/s² Same as acceleration due to gravity ⭐
On Earth Surface [g = \dfrac{GM}{R^2}] [R] = radius of Earth m/s² Standard result ⭐

💡 Memory Hint:
Field = force per unit mass


Variation of g

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
At Height (h) [g_h = g\left(1 – \dfrac{2h}{R}\right)] [h] = height m/s² For [h \ll R] ⚠️
At Depth (d) [g_d = g\left(1 – \dfrac{d}{R}\right)] [d] = depth m/s² Linear decrease ⭐
Due to Rotation [g_{eff} = g – \omega^2 R] [\omega] = angular velocity of Earth m/s² Minimum at equator ⚠️

💡 Memory Hint:

  • Height → decreases faster
  • Depth → decreases linearly

Gravitational Potential & Potential Energy

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Gravitational Potential [V = -G \dfrac{M}{r}] [V] = potential J/kg Negative sign important ⚠️
Potential Energy [U = -G \dfrac{Mm}{r}] [U] = potential energy J Always negative ⭐
Relation [U = mV] Connects PE and potential

💡 Memory Hint:
Gravitational energy = always negative (bound system)


Escape Velocity

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Escape Velocity [v_e = \sqrt{\dfrac{2GM}{R}}] [v_e] = escape velocity m/s Independent of mass ⭐
Using g [v_e = \sqrt{2gR}] m/s Simplified form

💡 Memory Hint:
Escape → √2 times orbital velocity


Orbital Motion (Satellites)

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Orbital Velocity [v = \sqrt{\dfrac{GM}{r}}] [r] = orbital radius m/s For circular orbit ⭐
Time Period [T = 2\pi \sqrt{\dfrac{r^3}{GM}}] [T] = time period s Kepler’s 3rd law ⭐
Angular Velocity [\omega = \sqrt{\dfrac{GM}{r^3}}] rad/s Related to time period

💡 Memory Hint:

  • Velocity ∝ [1/\sqrt{r}]
  • Time ∝ [r^{3/2}]

Energy of Satellite

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Kinetic Energy [K = \dfrac{GMm}{2r}] J Half of magnitude of PE ⭐
Potential Energy [U = -\dfrac{GMm}{r}] J Negative
Total Energy [E = -\dfrac{GMm}{2r}] J Bound system ⭐

💡 Memory Hint:
[K : U : E = 1 : -2 : -1]


Geostationary Satellite

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning SI Units Key Notes / Tricks
Time Period [T = 24 , \text{hours}] s Same as Earth rotation ⭐
Orbital Radius [r^3 = \dfrac{GMT^2}{4\pi^2}] m Derived from Kepler’s law
Angular Velocity [\omega = \dfrac{2\pi}{T}] rad/s Fixed relative to Earth

💡 Memory Hint:
Appears stationary from Earth

Unlock the full course today

Get full access to all videos and content.

Scroll to Top

Log in or create an account

OR
New to Ucale?
Already have a account?

By continuing us, you agree to our Terms of use and Privacy Policy

Share
OR
New to Ucale?
Already have a account?