FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions On Gravitation

Will your weight be constant when you are travelling to Greenland from Brazil?

No, it will increase. As the acceleration due to gravity is greater at poles and lesser at the equator because of the bulged oblate shape of the earth, we will feel heavier at Greenland. (Greenland is closer to North pole and Brazil is closer to the equator.)

Can you screen the effect of gravitation by any material medium?

No. gravitational effect cannot be screened, unlike electrostatic force. Because the gravitational force does not depend on any medium.

Why are space rockets launched eastward?

Earth spins (rotates) from west to east in 24 hours. If the space rockets are launched in the same direction, the relative velocity of the rocket increases which helps it to rise without much fuel.

Why does a bouncing ball bounce higher at hills than in planes?

As the altitude increases, the acceleration due to gravity decreases. Therefore the ball bounces higher in hills than at planes.

The gravitational potential energy is negative. Why?

The reference point of zero potential energy is at infinity. Gravitational force is always attractive. Therefore the gravitational potential energy, which is the negative of work done is always negative