Net gravitational force at the centre of a square is found to be F_1 when four particles having mass M, 2M, 3M and 4M are placed at the four corners of the square as shown in figure and it is F_2 when the positions of 3M and 4M are interchanged. The ratio fracF_1F_2 is fracalphasqrt5. The value of alpha is \_\_\_\_.
Gravitation diagram for Q35 - JEE Main 2026 January Morning
Four point masses placed at the corners of a square.

Solution & Explanation

### Related Formula F = fracG m_1 m_2r^2 ### Core Logic
Solution diagram for Q35 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Four point masses placed at the corners of a square.
Initial configuration: F_1 = 2sqrt2 fracGmm_0r^2$| New configuration (after interchanging 3M and 4M): F_2 = \sqrt{10} \frac{Gmm_0}{r^2}Ratio:\frac{F_1}{F_2} = \frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{10}} = \frac{2}{\sqrt{5}} \implies \alpha = 2$$ ### Pattern Recognition Sees: Gravitational force vector sum at center of square. Shortcut: Compute net vector resultants for both mass configurations and take ratio. Check: Matches option (1). ✓ ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Physics: Gravitation
Solution diagram for Q35 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Four point masses placed at the corners of a square.
Solution diagram for Q35 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Four point masses placed at the corners of a square.
Solution diagram for Q35 - JEE Main 2026 Morning
Four point masses placed at the corners of a square.

Reference Study Guides

More Gravitation Previous-Year Questions

Q44 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Satellite Energy
Initially a satellite of 100 kg is in a circular orbit of radius 1.5R_E. This satellite can be moved to a circular orbit of radius 3R_E by supplying alpha times 10^6J of energy. The value of alpha is ____. (Take Radius of Earth R_E = 6 times 10^6text m and g = 10text m/s^2)
  • A. 150
  • B. 500
  • C. 100
  • D. 1000

Solution

### Related Formula E = frac-GM_E m2r Delta E = E_f - E_i g = fracGM_ER_E^2 implies GM_E = g R_E^2 ### Core Logic Energy of a satellite in a circular orbit is given as E = frac-GM_E m2r where r is the radius of the circular orbit. Required energy to be supplied Delta E = E_f - E_i: Delta E = left( frac-GM_E m2(3R_E) right) - left( frac-GM_E m2(1.5R_E) right) Delta E = frac-GM_E m6R_E + fracGM_E m3R_E = fracGM_E m6R_E ### Step 1: Evaluate Delta E Substitute GM_E = g R_E^2 into the expression: Delta E = frac(g R_E^2) m6R_E = frac16 m g R_E = frac16 times 100 times 10 times (6 times 10^6) = 1000 times 10^6text J Comparing with alpha times 10^6text J, we get alpha = 1000. ### Pattern Recognition Orbital transition energy is always Delta E = fracGMm2 (frac1r_i - frac1r_f). Never forget the factor of 2 in the denominator (which accounts for kinetic energy contribution in orbit). ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Physics: Gravitation
Q30 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Escape Velocity
The escape velocity from a spherical planet A is 10 km/s. The escape velocity from another planet B whose density and radius are 10% of those of planet A, is \_\_\_\_ m/s.
  • A. 1000
  • B. 200sqrt5
  • C. 100sqrt10
  • D. 1000sqrt2

Solution

### Related Formula V_e = sqrtfrac2GMR = sqrtfrac2G rho frac4pi R^33R implies V_e propto sqrtrho times R ### Core Logic Given density and radius of B are 10% (0.1) of planet A: frac(V_e)_B(V_e)_A = sqrtfracrho_Brho_A times fracR_BR_A = sqrt0.1 times 0.1 = frac110sqrt10 (V_e)_B = frac10 times 100010sqrt10 = 100sqrt10 text m/sec ### Pattern Recognition Sees: Escape velocity scaling with density and radius. Shortcut: Express escape velocity in terms of density rho and radius R, then take ratios. Check: Matches option (3). ✓ ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Physics: Gravitation
Q25 jee_main_2025_02_april_evening Satellite Motion and Orbital Energy
A satellite of mass 1000mathrmkg is launched to revolve around the earth in an orbit at a height of 270mathrmkm from the earth's surface. Kinetic energy of the satellite in this orbit is \_ \times 10^{10}\mathrm{J} . (Mass of earth = 6\times 10^{24}\mathrm{kg}, Radius of earth = 6.4 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~m} , Gravitational constant = 6.67 \times 10^{-11} \mathrm{Nm}^2 \mathrm{kg}^{-2}$)
Numerical Answer. Answer: 3 to 3

Solution

### Related Formula 1. Orbital speed (v_0) of a satellite at distance r from earth's center: v_0 = sqrtfracG M_er 2. Orbital Radius: r = R_e + h 3. Kinetic Energy of the orbiting satellite: mathrmKE = frac12 m v_0^2 = fracG M_e m2(R_e + h) ### Core Logic Given parameters: - Mass of satellite m = 1000 \ mathrmkg = 10^3 \ mathrmkg - Orbit altitude h = 270 \ mathrmkm = 0.27 times 10^6 \ mathrmm - Earth Radius R_e = 6.4 times 10^6 \ mathrmm - Earth Mass M_e = 6 times 10^24 \ mathrmkg - Gravitational constant G = 6.67 times 10^-11 \ mathrmN cdot m^2 / kg^2 ### Step 1: Calculate kinetic energy First, compute the orbital radius r: r = R_e + h = 6.4 times 10^6 \ mathrmm + 0.27 times 10^6 \ mathrmm = 6.67 times 10^6 \ mathrmm Substitute r = 6.67 times 10^6 \ mathrmm into the kinetic energy equation: mathrmKE = fracG M_e m2 r mathrmKE = frac6.67 times 10^-11 times 6 times 10^24 times 10^32 times 6.67 times 10^6 Notice that the value 6.67 cancels out directly: mathrmKE = frac6 times 10^162 times 10^6 = 3 times 10^10 \ mathrmJ Thus, the kinetic energy coefficient is 3. ### Pattern Recognition Sees: Kinetic energy of a satellite orbiting at an altitude above earth's surface. Trap: Doing long division calculation for 6.67/2. Check for clean cancellations in formulas first! Shortcut: Notice that R_e + h = 6.4 times 10^6 + 0.27 times 10^6 = 6.67 times 10^6, which matches the value of the Gravitational constant G = 6.67 times 10^-11 perfectly. This clean cancellation leaves behind simple integer math to give 3 times 10^10 mathrm~J immediately. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Physics: Gravitation
Q24 jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening Kepler's Laws and Planetary Motion
Two planets, A and B are orbiting a common star in circular orbits of radii R_mathrmA and R_mathrmB , respectively, with R_mathrmB = 2R_mathrmA . The planet B is 4sqrt2 times more massive than planet A. The ratio left(fracL_mathrmBL_mathrmAmathrmright) of angular momentum (L_mathrmB) of planet B to that of planet mathrmA(L_mathrmA) is closest to integer ______.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 8 to 8

Solution

### Related Formula v_0 = sqrtfracGM_textstarR L = m v_0 R = m sqrtG M_textstar R ### Core Logic The orbital angular momentum scales as L propto m sqrtR, where m is the mass of the orbiting planet and R is its orbital radius. Setting up the ratio for planet B to planet A: fracL_BL_A = left(fracm_Bm_Aright) cdot sqrtfracR_BR_A Substitute the relative constraints provided by the text: - m_B = 4sqrt2 m_A - R_B = 2 R_A fracL_BL_A = (4sqrt2) times sqrt2 = 4 times 2 = 8 ### Pattern Recognition Orbital velocity goes down as 1/sqrtR, but angular momentum features an explicit distance product multiplier (m v R), shifting the baseline radius factor to a clean numerator scaling profile: sqrtR. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Physics: Gravitation

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