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Question

For an object in gravitational field, the gravitational potential is the same at two points $A$ and $B$, but the gravitational field is not the same at these two points. Which one of the following statements is correct?

The correct answer is

No work is done by gravity in moving the object from point $A$ to point $B$.

To solve the given question, we need to understand the concepts of gravitational potential and gravitational field.

The gravitational potential at a point in a field is defined as the work done per unit mass in bringing a mass from infinity to that point. It is a scalar quantity and is the same at points $A$ and $B$ as per the given condition.

On the other hand, the gravitational field at a point is a vector quantity and represents the force experienced by a unit mass placed at that point. The problem states that the gravitational fields at points $A$ and $B$ are different.

Let's analyze the correct option:

  1. No work is done on an object by a conservative force (like gravity) when moving between two points of equal potential. This is because the work done by a conservative force is equal to the negative change in potential energy. Since the potential is the same at both points, the change in potential energy is zero, and hence, no work is done.

Let's eliminate the incorrect options:

  1. Positive work is done by gravity in moving the object from point $A$ to point $B$: This is incorrect because no work is done if the gravitational potential is the same at both points.
  2. Negative work is done by gravity in moving the object from point $A$ to point $B$: This is also incorrect, as explained above, no work is done.
  3. Gravity must be non-conservative in such a region: This statement is incorrect because gravitational force is always conservative regardless of the field strength at different points.

Based on the reasoning above, the correct answer is:

No work is done by gravity in moving the object from point $A$ to point $B$.

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Important Questions from Gravitational potential energy

  1. Statement I: A body weighs less on a hill top than on earth's surface even though its mass remains unchanged.

    Statement II: The acceleration due to gravity of the earth decreases with height.
  2. The work done to raise a mass $m$ from the surface of the Earth to a height $h$, which is equal to twice the radius of the Earth $R$, is:
  3. Mass of the earth is M and its radius is R. An object of mass m is placed on the surface of earth. Find the work done in lifting the object through a height \(\frac{R}{2}\) above the surface of earth.

  4. Mass of uniform circular ring is M and its radius is R. Find the maximum intensity of gravitation field on the axis of the ring

  5. A solid sphere of constant density p has mass M and radius R. What is the gravitational potential difference between a point P which is at distance \(\frac{R}{2}\) from the central and its surface?

    (i.e. Vp - Vsurface)

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