Two identical spheres each of radius $r$ are placed in contact with each other. Show that the gravitational force between them is proportional to $r^4$.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The mass $m$ of each sphere can be expressed in terms of density $\rho$ and radius $r$ as $m = \text{Volume} \times \text{Density} = \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3 \rho$.
The distance between the centers of the two spheres in contact is $d = r + r = 2r$.
According to Newton's Law of Gravitation,the force $F$ is given by $F = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{d^2}$.
Substituting the values,$F = \frac{G (\frac{4}{3} \pi r^3 \rho) (\frac{4}{3} \pi r^3 \rho)}{(2r)^2}$.
$F = \frac{G \cdot \frac{16}{9} \pi^2 r^6 \rho^2}{4r^2}$.
$F = (\frac{4}{9} \pi^2 \rho^2 G) r^4$.
Since $\frac{4}{9} \pi^2 \rho^2 G$ is a constant,we have $F \propto r^4$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ mass $M$ is split into two parts,$m$ and $(M-m)$,which are then separated by a certain distance. What ratio of $\frac{m}{M}$ maximizes the gravitational force between the two parts?

Difficult
View Solution

The $SI$ unit of $\frac{G}{g}$ is $(g = \text{acceleration due to gravity}, G = \text{gravitational constant})$

Find the acceleration of our galaxy due to the nearest comparably sized galaxy. The approximate mass of each galaxy is $8 \times 10^{11}$ solar masses,and they are separated by $2 \times 10^6$ light-years. Each galaxy has a diameter of $10^5$ light-years. (Assume $1 \text{ light-year} \approx 10^{16} \text{ m}$,gravitational constant $G \approx 10^{-10} \text{ Nm}^2/\text{kg}^2$,and mass of the Sun $= 2.0 \times 10^{30} \text{ kg}$)

$A$ system consists of three particles each of mass $m_1$ placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side $\frac{L}{3}$. $A$ particle of mass $m_2$ is placed at the midpoint of any one side of the triangle. Due to the system of particles,the force acting on $m_2$ is

Draw a schematic diagram of Cavendish's experiment for the determination of the universal gravitational constant $G$ and obtain the formula used in it.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo