Chapter 1: Force and Motion

1. Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation o Small Value: Its extremely small

value signifies that gravity is a
• Definition: A universal force
very weak force, only becoming
of attraction that exists between any
significant when at least one of
two objects with mass.
the objects is massive (like a
• The Law States: The force (F) is: planet).

1. Directly proportional to 3. Acceleration Due to Gravity (g)

the product of their
• Definition: The acceleration produced in
masses (m₁m₂).
a freely falling object due to the
▪ Implication: If you gravitational pull of a celestial body (like
double one mass, the a planet or moon).
force doubles. If you
• Standard Value on Earth: g ≈ 9.8 m/s².
double both masses,
This means a falling object's speed
the force quadruples
increases by 9.8 m/s every second.
(2x2=4).
• Formula: g = GM / R²
2. Inversely proportional to
the square of the distance (d) • Key Dependencies:
between their centers.
o 'g' depends on the planet's
▪ Implication: If you mass (M) and its radius (R).
double the distance,
o 'g' does NOT depend on
the force becomes
the mass of the falling object
1/4th (1/2²). If you
(m). This is why a feather and a
halve the distance, the
coin fall at the same rate in a
force becomes 4 times
vacuum (Galileo's principle).
stronger (1/(1/2)²).
4. Variation in the Value of 'g'
• Formula: F = G (m₁m₂) / d²
• With Altitude: 'g' decreases as you
2. The Universal Gravitational Constant (G)
move away from the planet's surface
• Definition: A fundamental constant of (e.g., on a mountain or in space)
nature that determines the strength of because the distance 'R' from the center
the gravitational force. increases.

• Value: G ≈ 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg² • With Planet's Shape:

• Key Properties: o The Earth is an oblate

spheroid (slightly flattened at
o Universal & Constant: Its value
the poles, bulged at the
is the same everywhere in the
equator).
universe, regardless of the
objects or the medium between o The polar radius is less than the
them. equatorial radius.
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

o Therefore, 'g' is strongest at the increases with speed and

poles and weakest at the surface area.
equator.
o Terminal Velocity: The constant
• With Density: For planets with the same speed reached when air
density, g is directly proportional to the resistance equals the object's
radius (g ∝ R). weight. At this point, the net
force is zero and acceleration is
5. Mass vs. Weight
zero. This makes parachutes
work.
Weight
Feature Mass (m)
(W) • Weightlessness:

o Definition: The state of

The force having zero apparent weight. It
Definitio Amount of matter of gravity is not the absence of gravity.
n in an object. on an
object. o Cause: It is caused by being in a
constant state of free fall.
Astronauts in orbit are
Formula - W=mxg
continuously falling around the
Earth, which creates the
Varies wit sensation of floating.
Constant everywhe h location
Value 7. Equations of Motion for Free Fall
re. (because
'g' varies).
• Standard linear motion equations are
adapted by substituting a with g and s
Newton (displacement) with h (height).
SI Unit Kilogram (kg)
(N)
• Sign Convention:

Vector o For objects falling downwards,

Scalar (magnitude (magnitud 'g' is positive (+9.8 m/s²).
Type
only) e and
o For objects thrown upwards, 'g'
direction)
is negative (-9.8 m/s²) because
it opposes the initial velocity.
6. Free Fall & Weightlessness
• The Three Equations:
• Free Fall: The motion of an object under
the influence of gravity alone, with no 1. v = u + gt
other forces like air resistance.
2. h = ut + ½gt²
o In Reality: Only possible in
a vacuum (like on the Moon). 3. v² = u² + 2gh

o (Note: For dropped objects,

o On Earth: Air
resistance opposes motion. It initial velocity u = 0. At the
maximum height of an upward
throw, final velocity v = 0.)
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

Type A: Knowledge & Memory Based b) product of their masses.

Introduction & Newton's Law of Gravitation c) distance between them.
d) square of the distance between
1. What force causes fruits to fall from a them.
tree towards the Earth?
a) Frictional force 7. The universal law of gravitation states
b) Magnetic force that the force is inversely proportional
c) Gravitational force to the:
d) Muscular force a) product of the masses.
b) radius of the objects.
2. The safe landing of the Perseverance c) distance between the objects.
Rover on Mars demonstrates that: d) square of the distance between the
a) Mars has no gravity. objects.
b) Mars has a strong magnetic field.
c) Mars attracts objects towards its 8. If the mass of one of two objects is
center. doubled, while keeping the distance
d) Parachutes only work on Earth. constant, the gravitational force:
a) is halved.
3. Which scientist developed the universal b) is doubled.
law of gravitation after observing a c) remains the same.
falling fruit? d) becomes four times larger.
a) Galileo Galilei
b) Albert Einstein 9. If the mass of BOTH of two objects is
c) Henry Cavendish doubled, the gravitational force
d) Isaac Newton between them becomes:
a) two times larger.
4. According to Newton, the force of b) four times larger.
attraction between an apple and the c) half of the original.
Earth causes the apple to fall towards d) one-fourth of the original.
the:
a) surface of the Earth. 10. If the distance between two objects is
b) center of the Earth. doubled, the gravitational force
c) nearest tree. between them:
d) Moon. a) is doubled.
b) is halved.
5. In what year did Newton propound the c) becomes four times smaller (1/4).
Universal Law of Gravitation? d) becomes four times larger.
a) 1590
b) 1687 11. If the distance between two objects is
c) 1798 halved, the gravitational force between
d) 1905 them:
a) is doubled.
6. According to the universal law of b) is halved.
gravitation, the force of attraction c) becomes four times smaller (1/4).
between two bodies is directly d) becomes four times larger.
proportional to the:
a) sum of their masses.
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

The Universal Gravitational Constant (G) Consequences of Gravitational Force & Gravity

12. In the formula F = G(m₁m₂/d²), what 18. What force is responsible for the
does 'G' represent? planets revolving around the sun?
a) Gravity a) Centrifugal force
b) Acceleration due to gravity b) Magnetic force
c) Universal gravitational constant c) Nuclear force
d) Gravitational field d) Gravitational force

13. The value of the gravitational constant 19. Tides in the Earth's oceans are primarily
(G) was first measured by: caused by the gravitational pull of the:
a) Isaac Newton a) Sun.
b) Galileo Galilei b) Moon.
c) Henry Cavendish c) Jupiter.
d) Albert Einstein d) Mars.

14. What is the standard value of the 20. Why does the Moon have a greater
universal gravitational constant (G)? effect on Earth's tides than the Sun?
a) 9.8 m/s² a) The Moon is more massive than the
b) 6.67 x 10¹¹ N m²/kg² Sun.
c) 9.8 N b) The Sun's gravity is weaker.
d) 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg² c) The Moon is much closer to the
Earth.
15. The SI unit of the universal gravitational
d) The Moon rotates faster.
constant (G) is:
a) N/kg 21. The force exerted by a planet or satellite
b) m/s² on a nearby object is often called the:
c) N m²/kg² a) force of friction.
d) kg m/s b) force of gravity.
c) applied force.
16. The value of 'G' is constant:
d) normal force.
a) only on Earth.
b) only in our solar system. 22. The force of gravity acting on an object
c) everywhere in the universe. is also called its:
d) only for spherical objects. a) mass.
b) inertia.
17. Under what condition does the
c) weight.
gravitational force (F) become equal to
d) density.
the gravitational constant (G)?
a) When both masses are 1 kg and the 23. Earth is surrounded by its atmosphere
distance is 10 m. due to:
b) When both masses are 10 kg and the a) its rotation.
distance is 1 m. b) its magnetic field.
c) When both masses are 1 kg and the c) gravity.
distance is 1 m. d) solar wind.
d) F can never be equal to G.
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

Acceleration Due to Gravity (g) 30. The value of acceleration due to gravity
('g') depends on the planet's:
24. The acceleration produced in a freely
a) mass only.
falling object due to gravity is called:
b) radius only.
a) velocity.
c) mass and radius.
b) momentum.
d) mass of the falling object.
c) acceleration due to gravity (g).
d) universal gravitational constant (G). 31. The value of acceleration due to gravity
('g') is independent of the:
25. The SI unit of acceleration due to gravity
a) mass of the planet.
(g) is:
b) radius of the planet.
a) N
c) mass of the falling object.
b) kg
d) gravitational constant G.
c) m/s²
d) N m² 32. The formula to calculate acceleration
due to gravity (g) is:
26. The average value of 'g' on the surface
a) g = GMm/R²
of the Earth is approximately:
b) g = GR/M²
a) 9.8 N
c) g = G/R²
b) 6.7 m/s²
d) g = GM/R²
c) 9.8 m/s²
d) 6.7 N 33. The Earth is slightly flattened at the
poles and bulged at the equator. This
27. Who disproved Aristotle's law that
means the Earth's radius is:
heavier objects fall faster by dropping
a) greater at the poles.
two balls from the Leaning Tower of
b) the same everywhere.
Pisa?
c) greater at the equator.
a) Newton
d) greatest at the mountains.
b) Kepler
c) Galileo 34. The value of 'g' is highest at the:
d) Cavendish a) equator.
b) poles.
28. The feather and coin experiment, when
c) center of the Earth.
conducted in a vacuum, proves that:
d) top of Mt. Everest.
a) heavier objects fall faster.
b) air resistance affects all objects 35. The value of 'g' is lowest at the:
equally. a) equator.
c) all objects fall at the same rate b) poles.
regardless of mass. c) sea level.
d) lighter objects fall faster. d) polar sea level.

29. In the presence of air, a coin falls faster 36. An object will fall fastest in which region
than a feather because the feather has: of the Earth?
a) less mass. a) Equatorial region
b) greater air resistance. b) Tropical region
c) less density. c) Polar region
d) more weight. d) Temperate region
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

37. What happens to the value of 'g' as we b) weight.

go higher in altitude from the Earth's c) inertia.
surface? d) volume.
a) It increases.
44. What is the SI unit of weight?
b) It decreases.
a) Kilogram (kg)
c) It remains the same.
b) Pascal (Pa)
d) It becomes zero immediately.
c) Joule (J)
38. The acceleration due to gravity on the d) Newton (N)
Moon is about:
45. Which of the following is a vector
a) the same as on Earth.
quantity?
b) 6 times that of Earth.
a) Mass
c) 1/6th that of Earth.
b) Weight
d) 2 times that of Earth.
c) Speed
Mass and Weight (Page 181-183) d) Distance

39. The total quantity of matter present in 46. The weight of an object on the Moon,
an object is its: compared to its weight on Earth, is:
a) weight. a) approximately 1/6th as much.
b) density. b) the same.
c) mass. c) 6 times more.
d) volume. d) zero.

40. What is the SI unit of mass? 47. The formula to calculate weight (W) is:
a) Newton (N) a) W = m/g
b) Kilogram (kg) b) W = g/m
c) Meter (m) c) W = mg
d) Joule (J) d) W = m²g

41. Which of the following is a scalar 48. What instrument is commonly used to
quantity? measure weight?
a) Weight a) Beam balance
b) Force b) Digital scale
c) Velocity c) Spring balance
d) Mass d) Measuring cylinder

42. The mass of an object on the Moon, 49. An object weighs more at the poles
compared to its mass on Earth, is: than at the equator because:
a) less. a) the object's mass is greater at the
b) more. poles.
c) the same. b) the value of 'g' is greater at the poles.
d) zero. c) the object is colder at the poles.
d) there is less air at the poles.
43. The measure of the force of gravity
acting on an object is its: 50. As you climb a high mountain like Mt.
a) mass. Everest, your weight will:
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

a) increase slightly. 56. A parachute allows for a safe landing by:

b) decrease slightly. a) reducing the person's mass.
c) remain exactly the same. b) increasing air resistance.
d) become zero. c) eliminating gravity.
d) creating an upward lift force greater
51. A person can jump higher on the Moon
than weight.
than on Earth because:
a) the person's mass is less on the 57. When the upward force of air resistance
Moon. on a falling parachute equals the
b) there is no air on the Moon. downward force of weight, the
c) the Moon's gravity is weaker. parachute's acceleration becomes:
d) the Moon's surface is bouncy. a) 9.8 m/s².
b) very high.
52. If a person can lift a 100 kg mass on
c) negative.
Earth, they can lift a much larger mass
d) zero.
on the Moon because the lifting force is
opposing a smaller: 58. The condition where an object in free
a) mass. fall has zero apparent weight is called:
b) volume. a) massiveness.
c) density. b) inertia.
d) weight. c) weightlessness.
d) free rise.
Free Fall & Weightlessness (Page 184-187)
59. Astronauts in orbit inside the
53. An object is said to be in free fall when
International Space Station (ISS)
the only force acting on it is:
experience weightlessness because:
a) air resistance.
a) they are too far from Earth for gravity
b) friction.
to act.
c) gravity.
b) the ISS has an anti-gravity device.
d) an applied force.
c) they and the station are in a constant
54. True free fall is only possible in a: state of free fall.
a) liquid. d) their mass becomes zero in space.
b) vacuum.
60. In the equations of motion for free fall,
c) dense atmosphere.
the acceleration 'a' is replaced by:
d) solid.
a) 'g'
55. Is it possible to use a parachute to land b) 'G'
safely on the Moon? c) 'v'
a) Yes, it works better than on Earth. d) 'h'
b) No, because there is no atmosphere
61. In the equations of motion for free fall,
on the Moon.
the displacement 's' is replaced by:
c) Yes, but only for very light objects.
a) 'g'
d) No, because the Moon's gravity is too
b) 'd'
low.
c) 't'
d) 'h'
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

62. When an object is thrown vertically c) 'g' is constant all over the Earth.
upwards, the value of 'g' is taken as: d) 'g' is highest at the top of Mt.
a) positive. Everest.
b) negative.
68. When a freely falling object is observed
c) zero.
every second, its:
d) infinite.
a) acceleration increases uniformly.
63. At the maximum height of its trajectory, b) distance covered is the same each
the final velocity (v) of a ball thrown second.
upwards is: c) velocity increases uniformly.
a) 9.8 m/s d) velocity remains constant.
b) equal to its initial velocity
69. The nature of gravitational force is
c) zero
always:
d) at its maximum
a) repulsive.
Miscellaneous and Exercise-Based Questions b) attractive.
c) sometimes attractive, sometimes
64. At which of the following locations
repulsive.
would you weigh the most?
d) neutral.
a) Peak of Mount Everest
b) Kechnakwal of Jhapa (at sea level) 70. Why is it more difficult to lift a big stone
c) In an airplane at 10 km altitude than a small one on Earth?
d) On the International Space Station a) The big stone has more volume.
b) The big stone has more weight.
65. If the weight of an object on the Earth's
c) The big stone is harder.
surface is 800 N, what will be its weight
d) The big stone has more inertia.
at a height equal to the Earth's radius
(at distance 2R from center)? 71. The mass of Jupiter is about 319 times
a) 800 N the Earth's mass, but its 'g' is only 2.6
b) 400 N times Earth's. This is because Jupiter
c) 200 N also has a much larger:
d) 1600 N a) density.
b) temperature.
66. If the gravitational force between two
c) radius.
objects on Earth is 60 N, the
d) number of moons.
gravitational force between the SAME
two objects at the SAME distance on 72. A student suggests buying oranges in
the moon will be: the mountains and selling them in the
a) 10 N Terai (plains) using a beam balance to
b) 6 N make a profit. This trick will:
c) 60 N a) work because the weight is less in the
d) 360 N mountains.
b) fail because a beam balance
67. Which statement is correct?
measures mass, which is constant.
a) 'g' increases as height increases.
c) work because the mass is less in the
b) 'g' is greater in the polar region than
mountains.
the equatorial region.
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

d) fail because a spring balance is 36. b 37. a 38. a 39. c 40. c

needed.

73. The feeling of an "eerie feeling" when 41. d 42. a 43. c 44. b 45. c
moving down quickly in a swing (Rote
Ping) is a brief experience of: 46. c 47. c 48. b 49. c 50. c
a) increased gravity.
b) high air resistance.
c) partial weightlessness. 51. b 52. c 53. b 54. c 55. c
d) high speed.
56. c 57. b 58. d 59. b 60. a
74. If a cricket ball is dropped from a height
of 30m, its initial velocity (u) is:
a) 9.8 m/s 61. a 62. b 63. b 64. d 65. c
b) 30 m/s
c) unknown 66. c 67. b 68. c 69. a 70. c
d) 0 m/s

75. The acceleration of an object falling 71. b 72. c 73. b 74. c 75. a
towards Earth does not depend on its
own mass. This is explained by the
cancellation of 'm' in which two
equations?
a) F=ma and W=mg Type B: Higher Ability Questions
b) F=G(Mm/R²) and F=ma (where a=g)
1. Newton's Law Application
c) v=u+at and s=ut+½at²
Two asteroids, A and B, have a gravitational
d) W=mg and F=G(Mm/R²)
force F between them. If the mass of Asteroid A
Answer Key: is doubled, the mass of Asteroid B is tripled, and
the distance between their centers is halved,
what is the new gravitational force?
1. b 2. b 3. c 4. c 5. b
(a) 6F
(b) 12F
6. c 7. a 8. c 9. c 10. c (c) 24F
(d) 3F
11. b 12. a 13. d 14. d 15. c
2. Conceptual Application of Newton's Law
The gravitational force between a planet and its
16. c 17. a 18. a 19. b 20. b moon is F. If the planet were to magically shrink,
keeping its mass the same, until its radius was
21. b 22. c 23. b 24. b 25. c 1/3 of its original size, and the moon remained
at the same orbital distance, what would be the
26. c 27. b 28. b 29. b 30. a new gravitational force between them?
(a) F
(b) 3F
31. c 32. d 33. b 34. b 35. a
(c) 9F
(d) F/3
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

3. Interpreting the Value of G Earth?

The universal gravitational constant, G, has the (a) A straight line passing through the origin
value 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg². This extremely small with a positive slope.
value implies that: (b) A horizontal line.
(a) Gravity is only significant for objects with (c) An inverse curve similar to F vs d.
very large mass. (d) A parabolic curve opening upwards.
(b) Gravity does not exist between small objects
8. Mass vs. Weight on the Moon
like people.
An astronaut uses a spring balance to measure a
(c) G is not truly constant and varies with
rock on the Moon and gets a reading of 20 N.
location.
They then use a beam balance to measure the
(d) Gravitational force is the strongest force in
same rock against a set of calibrated masses
nature.
from Earth. What will the beam balance show
4. Variation of 'g' with Height the mass to be? (Use g_moon ≈ 1.6 m/s²)
An object weighs 980 N at the Earth's surface (a) 20 kg
(where R = Earth's radius). At what height above (b) 3.2 kg
the surface will its weight be 245 N? (c) 12.5 kg
(a) R (d) The beam balance will not work on the
(b) 2R Moon.
(c) 3R
9. Free Fall with Air Resistance
(d) 4R
An object is dropped from a great height. Which
5. Variation of 'g' with Density of the following statements best describes its
Planet X has the same density as Earth, but its motion in the presence of air resistance?
radius is twice that of Earth. What is the (a) It falls with constant acceleration g.
acceleration due to gravity (gₓ) on the surface of (b) Its acceleration is initially g and gradually
Planet X compared to Earth's (gₑ)? (Hint: Density decreases to zero.
ρ = Mass/Volume; Volume of sphere = (4/3)πR³) (c) It falls with constant velocity from the start.
(a) gₓ = gₑ (d) Its acceleration is initially zero and increases
(b) gₓ = 2gₑ to g.
(c) gₓ = 4gₑ
10. Conceptual Weightlessness
(d) gₓ = 8gₑ
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits at an
6. Free Fall with Initial Upward Velocity altitude where g ≈ 8.7 m/s². Why do astronauts
A stone is thrown vertically upwards with an feel weightless if gravity is still so strong?
initial velocity of 30 m/s. What is its velocity (a) The ISS walls shield them from gravity.
after 4 seconds? (Use g = 10 m/s²) (b) The high speed of the ISS creates a
(a) 10 m/s upwards centrifugal force that perfectly cancels gravity.
(b) 10 m/s downwards (c) The astronauts and the ISS are in a constant
(c) 40 m/s downwards state of free fall around the Earth.
(d) 0 m/s (d) Their mass becomes zero in the vacuum of
space.
7. Graphical Representation (Weight vs. Mass)
Which graph correctly represents the 11. Cause of 'g' Variation
relationship between the weight (W) of an The value of 'g' is 9.83 m/s² at the poles and
object and its mass (m) at a single location on 9.78 m/s² at the equator. This difference is
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

primarily due to: balance shows a higher reading.

(a) The poles being colder than the equator. (b) He makes a loss because the spring balance
(b) The Earth's rotation and its slightly flattened shows a lower reading.
shape. (c) He breaks even because 10 kg is always 10
(c) The difference in magnetic fields. kg.
(d) The ice caps at the poles adding extra mass. (d) The outcome is impossible to determine.

12. Free Fall Time Calculation 16. Variation of 'g' with Radius
A ball is dropped from a height of 125 m. How If the Earth were compressed to half of its
long does it take to reach the ground? (Use g = current radius, but its mass remained the same,
10 m/s²) what would be the new value of 'g' at its
(a) 2.5 s surface?
(b) 5 s (a) g/2
(c) 10 s (b) 2g
(d) 12.5 s (c) g/4
(d) 4g
13. Graphical Representation (Free Fall Velocity)
A ball is thrown vertically upwards and falls back 17. Distance in Successive Intervals
to the ground. Which velocity-time (v-t) graph A rock falls from rest. In the first second, it
best represents its entire journey? (Assume travels a distance 'h'. What total distance does it
upward direction is positive). travel in the first three seconds?
(a) A V-shaped graph starting positive, crossing (a) 3h
the x-axis, and ending negative. (b) 5h
(b) A straight line with a constant negative (c) 6h
slope, starting positive and ending negative. (d) 9h
(c) A curved line starting positive and becoming
18. Net Force Calculation
more negative.
Two identical spheres are placed so their
(d) A horizontal line at zero.
centers are 2 meters apart, and the gravitational
14. Newton's Third Law in Gravitation force between them is F. If a third identical
The gravitational force between the Earth and sphere is placed exactly in the middle between
the Moon is approximately 2.0 x 10²⁰ N. the first two, what is the net gravitational
According to Newton's Third Law, the force force on this third sphere?
exerted by the Moon on the Earth is: (a) 2F
(a) Much smaller, because the Moon is smaller. (b) F
(b) Much larger, because the Earth is larger. (c) F/2
(c) Exactly the same, 2.0 x 10²⁰ N. (d) Zero
(d) Zero.
19. Exoplanet Gravity Calculation
15. Business Application of 'g' Variation An exoplanet is discovered with a mass 10 times
A merchant buys 10 kg of sugar at the equator that of Earth and a radius 10 times that of Earth.
using a beam balance. He then takes it to the How does its surface gravity (g_planet) compare
North Pole and sells it using a spring balance to Earth's (g_earth)?
that was calibrated at the equator. Does he (a) g_planet = 10 g_earth
make a profit, a loss, or break even? (b) g_planet = g_earth
(a) He makes a profit because the spring
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

(c) g_planet = 0.1 g_earth we don't feel the gravitational pull from
(d) g_planet = 100 g_earth everyday objects but we do feel it from
the massive Earth.
20. Final Velocity Calculation
A stone is dropped from a bridge and hits the 4. Correct Answer: (a) R
water 3 seconds later. With what speed does it
• Step 1: The weight has decreased to
hit the water? (Use g = 9.8 m/s²)
245 N, which is 1/4 of the original
(a) 9.8 m/s
weight (980 / 4 = 245).
(b) 19.6 m/s
(c) 29.4 m/s • Step 2: Since weight (and 'g') is inversely
(d) 44.1 m/s proportional to the square of the
distance from the center (W ∝ 1/d²), a
force of 1/4 means the distance must
Answer With Explaination have doubled (because 1/2² = 1/4).
1. Correct Answer: (c) 24F • Step 3: The new distance from the
• Formula: F = G(m₁m₂)/d² center is 2R. The question asks for the
height above the surface, which is Total
• Step 1: The mass m₁ is doubled (factor Distance - Radius = 2R - R = R.
of 2). The mass m₂ is tripled (factor of
3). The new numerator is 2 * 3 = 6 times 5. Correct Answer: (b) gₓ = 2gₑ
larger. • Step 1: g = GM/R². We need to express
• Step 2: The distance d is halved (d/2). M in terms of density (ρ) and radius (R).
The new denominator is (d/2)² = d²/4. M = ρ * V = ρ * (4/3)πR³.
This is a factor of 1/4. • Step 2: Substitute M into the equation
• Step 3: The new force F_new = F * (6) / for g: g = G * [ρ * (4/3)πR³] / R² =
(1/4) = F * 6 * 4 = 24F. Gρ(4/3)πR.

2. Correct Answer: (a) F • Step 3: This shows g is directly

proportional to the radius (g ∝ R) if
• Explanation: The gravitational force F = density is constant. Since Planet X has
G(m_planet * m_moon) / d² depends twice the radius, its gravity will be twice
on the distance 'd' between that of Earth.
the centers of the two bodies. The
radius of the planet itself does not 6. Correct Answer: (b) 10 m/s downwards
affect the force as long as the distance • Formula: v = u + gt. Assume upward is
between their centers remains positive.
unchanged.
• Step 1: u = +30 m/s. g = -10 m/s². t = 4 s.
3. Correct Answer: (a) Gravity is only significant
for objects with very large mass. • Step 2: v = 30 + (-10)(4) = 30 - 40 = -10
m/s.
• Explanation: Because G is so small (a
factor of 10⁻¹¹), the product of the • Step 3: The negative sign indicates the
masses (m₁m₂) must be enormous to velocity is in the downward direction.
produce a noticeable force. This is why
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

7. Correct Answer: (a) A straight line passing 11. Correct Answer: (b) The Earth's rotation
through the origin with a positive slope. and its slightly flattened shape.

• Explanation: The relationship is W = • Explanation: The flattened shape

mg. At a single location, 'g' is constant. means the poles are closer to the center
This is the equation of a straight line (y than the equator, increasing 'g'. The
= mx) where W is y, m (mass) is x, and g Earth's rotation creates a slight
is the constant slope. If mass is zero, "centrifugal effect" that counteracts
weight is zero, so it passes through the gravity most strongly at the equator,
origin. further reducing the effective 'g' there.

8. Correct Answer: (c) 12.5 kg 12. Correct Answer: (b) 5 s

• Step 1: A spring balance measures • Formula: h = ½gt² (since u=0).

weight (force). W = 20 N.
• Step 1: Rearrange for t: t² = 2h/g.
• Step 2: A beam balance measures mass
• Step 2: t² = (2 * 125 m) / (10 m/s²) = 250
by comparing the unknown mass to
/ 10 = 25 s².
known masses. It will show the true
mass of the rock. • Step 3: t = √25 = 5 s.
• Step 3: Use W = mg to find the mass. m 13. Correct Answer: (b) A straight line with a
= W/g = 20 N / 1.6 m/s² = 12.5 kg. constant negative slope, starting positive and
ending negative.
9. Correct Answer: (b) Its acceleration is
initially g and gradually decreases to zero. • Explanation: The acceleration due to
gravity is constant and downwards (-g).
• Explanation: Initially, speed is zero, so
In a v-t graph, constant acceleration is a
air resistance is zero, and acceleration is
straight line, and the slope is the
g. As speed increases, air resistance (an
acceleration. The line starts with a
upward force) increases, opposing
positive velocity (upward), decreases to
gravity. This reduces the net downward
zero (at the peak), and then becomes
force, thus reducing the acceleration. At
negative (downward).
terminal velocity, air resistance equals
weight, the net force is zero, and 14. Correct Answer: (c) Exactly the same, 2.0 x
acceleration becomes zero. 10²⁰ N.
10. Correct Answer: (c) The astronauts and the • Explanation: Newton's Third Law states
ISS are in a constant state of free fall around that for every action, there is an equal
the Earth. and opposite reaction. The gravitational
force is a mutual attraction. The force
• Explanation: This is the definition of
the Earth exerts on the Moon is exactly
being in orbit. They are continuously
equal in magnitude and opposite in
falling towards Earth, but they have
direction to the force the Moon exerts
such a high tangential velocity that they
on the Earth.
continuously "miss" it. This state of
constant free fall is what causes the
sensation of weightlessness.
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

15. Correct Answer: (a) He makes a profit force. It will also be pulled by the
because the spring balance shows a higher identical sphere on the right with
reading. the exact same force but in the opposite
direction. These two forces are equal
• Step 1 (Buying): A beam balance
and opposite, so they cancel out,
measures mass. He buys exactly 10 kg
resulting in a net force of zero.
of sugar.
19. Correct Answer: (c) g_planet = 0.1 g_earth
• Step 2 (Selling): A spring balance
measures weight (W=mg). The value of • Formula: g ∝ M/R².
'g' is higher at the North Pole than at
• Step 1: Mass M is 10 times larger.
the equator.
Radius R is 10 times larger.
• Step 3 (Result): The 10 kg of sugar will
• Step 2: The new gravity g_planet will be
have a greater weight at the pole. If the
proportional to (10) / (10)² = 10 / 100 =
spring balance is calibrated for the
0.1.
equator's 'g', it will show a weight
corresponding to more than 10 kg, thus • Step 3: Therefore, g_planet = 0.1 *
he sells what he bought as 10 kg for a g_earth.
higher price.
20. Correct Answer: (c) 29.4 m/s
16. Correct Answer: (d) 4g
• Formula: v = u + gt.
• Formula: g = GM/R².
• Step 1: The stone is dropped, so initial
• Step 1: The new radius R_new = R/2. velocity u = 0.
• Step 2: The new gravity g_new = GM / • Step 2: v = 0 + (9.8 m/s²)(3 s).
(R/2)² = GM / (R²/4).
• Step 3: v = 29.4 m/s.
• Step 3: g_new = 4 * (GM/R²) = 4g.

17. Correct Answer: (d) 9h

• Formula: Distance d ∝ t² (since d =

½gt²).

• Step 1: In 1 second, the distance is h. So

h ∝ 1².

• Step 2: In 3 seconds, the distance d₃ ∝

3².

• Step 3: The ratio d₃/h = 3²/1² = 9.

Therefore, d₃ = 9h.

18. Correct Answer: (d) Zero

• Explanation: The third sphere is placed

exactly in the middle. It will be pulled by
the sphere on the left with a certain
 Chapter 1: Force and Motion

19. What opposes gravity for a falling

skydiver? Air resistance
Rapid Fire Questions & Answer
20. A state of zero apparent weight is
1. What force keeps planets in called? Weightlessness
orbit? Gravitation
21. Are astronauts in the ISS truly
2. Scientist behind the law of weightless? No
gravitation? Newton
22. Why do astronauts float in the ISS? Free
3. Shape of the F vs. d graph for fall
gravity? Curve (Inverse-square)
23. In free fall equations, 'a' becomes
4. Value of G is constant or what? g
variable? Constant
24. In free fall equations, 's' (distance)
5. Value of g is constant or becomes what? h (height)
variable? Variable
25. For an object thrown up, is 'g' positive
6. Unit of mass? Kilogram or negative? Negative
7. Unit of weight? Newton 26. Final velocity at the peak of an upward
throw? Zero
8. Instrument to measure mass? Beam
balance 27. Initial velocity of a dropped
9. Instrument to measure weight? Spring object? Zero
balance 28. Is a parachute effective on the
10. Is mass a vector or scalar? Scalar Moon? No

11. Is weight a vector or scalar? Vector 29. Why are parachutes ineffective on the
Moon? No atmosphere
12. What causes ocean tides? Moon's
gravity 30. Does your mass change on Jupiter? No

13. Acceleration of a freely falling body is

called what? g (Gravity)

14. Location on Earth with the highest

'g'? Poles

15. Location on Earth with the lowest

'g'? Equator

16. Value of 'g' on the moon compared to

Earth? Lower (1/6th)

17. Who disproved that heavy objects fall

faster? Galileo

18. In a vacuum, do a feather and coin fall

together? Yes