NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics, Chapter 8 - Gravitation

Gravitation is one of the most fascinating phenomena in the world of Physics. Initially discovered by the great scientist Sir Issac Newton, it is the reason that causes the earth and other planets to revolve around the sun, and is also what causes the moon to revolve around the Earth.  Chapter 8 of the book, Physics Part-I, consists of the 12 sub-sections, where each section explains the various aspects of the chapter in detail.

Let us take a look at the subtopics of Class 11 Physics, Chapter 8, Gravitation. 

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Kepler’s Laws

8.3. Universal Law Of Gravitation

8.4. The Gravitational Constant

8.5. Acceleration Due To The Gravity Of The Earth

8.6. Acceleration Due To The Gravity Below And Above The Surface Of The Earth.

8.7. Gravitational Potential Energy

8.8. Escape Speed

8.9. Earth Satellites

8.10. Energy Of An Orbiting Satellite

8.11. Geostationary and Polar Satellites

8.12. Weightlessness

In class 11 Physics, Chapter 8, you will learn:

Section 8.1: In this section, you will learn about the ancient astrological discoveries and proposed theories about planetary motion. Notable theories proclaimed by Galileo Galilei, Aryabhatta, and Nicolaus Copernicus are available in this portion of the chapter for students to discover.

Section 8.2: In this section, you will learn about the notable astronomer Johannes Kepler proposed the Three Laws of Planetary Motion. The laws are based on the observations by Tyco Brahe. The laws are:

1) Law of Orbits

2) Law of Areas

3) Law of Periods.

To know more about these laws, refer to Class 11 Gravitation NCERT Solutions.

Section 8.3: In this section, you will learn about the rumoured to be an apple falling on Newton’s head that led to his incidental discovery of gravity. He proclaimed that the gravitational acceleration between two spherical bodies is directly proportional to the mass of the two bodies and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Section 8.4: In this section, you will learn about the constant of proportionality in Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation is known as the Gravitational Constant. It is a universal constant, and its value is 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2 /kg2.

Section 8.5: In this section, you will learn about the downward motion experienced while falling is due to the gravitational acceleration of the Earth, which pulls every object downwards. This acceleration can be calculated based on principles of the Universal Gravitational Acceleration.

Section 8.6: In this section, you will learn about the gravitational acceleration is not the same above or below the surface of the Earth, and the difference occurs mainly due to the difference in distance.

Section 8.7: In this section, you will learn about the potential energy of an object is mainly dependent on the height at which it is kept/stored. The height comes into play mainly due to the effect of gravity.

Section 8.8: In this section, you will learn about escape speed may be defined as the minimum speed required to break even from the field of gravitational acceleration and escape from Earth. In this portion of the chapter, we can find equations needed to find the minimum speed required by an object to escape from the surface of the Earth to infinity.

Section 8.9: In this section, you will learn how satellites are artificial devices that revolve around a planetary body. The Earth’s satellites revolve around planet earth itself. They have been observed to follow Keplar’s Planetary Laws and their movements have been described to be similar to the motion of planets and moons around the sun.

Section 8.10: In this section, you will learn about the formula for the Potential Energy of an Orbiting Satellite. If you want to know more, refer to Gravitation Class 11 NCERT Solutions here at UrbanPro.

Section 8.11: In this section, you will learn about geostationary satellites orbit the Earth over the equator, staying fixed at a geographical location. Polar satellites do the opposite. For more information, please refer to Gravitation Class 11 Numericals here at UrbanPro.

Section 8.12: In this section, you will learn why weight is not only a force but also the product of mass and gravitational acceleration. In places outside the field of Earth’s gravitational acceleration, Weightlessness can be experienced.

Find detailed and accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter Gravitation only at UrbanPro. The solutions can also be downloaded as Gravitation Class 11 NCERT Solutions Pdf as well.