Q. If a planet of given density were made larger (keeping its density unchanged) its force of attraction for an object on its surface would increase because of increased mass of the planet but would decrease because of larger separation between the centre of the planet and its surface. Which effect would dominate?

A) Increase in mass
B) Increase in radius
C) Both affect the attraction equally
D) None of the above
Explanation

(b) The relation between mass and density of earth is given form Newton’s law of gravitation, according to which
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ M_{e} = \frac{{gR}_{e}^{2}}{G}$
where $M_{e}$ is mass of earth, $G$ the gravitational constant, $R_{e}$ the radius of earth and $g$ the acceleration due to gravity.
$Also,\ \ mass = volume \times density$
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ g = \frac{G \times volume \times density}{R^{2}}$
Assuming spherical shape of earth volume
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ = \frac{4}{3}{\pi R}^{3}$
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ g = G \times \frac{4}{3}\frac{{\pi R}^{3}}{R^{2}}\rho$
$\Longrightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ g = G \bullet \frac{4}{3}\pi R\rho$
Hence, increases in radius would dominate.

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

Want more practice?
Practice Gravitation MCQs