$A$ large spherical mass $M$ is fixed at one position and two identical point masses $m$ are kept on a line passing through the centre of $M$ (see figure). The point masses are connected by a rigid massless rod of length $\ell$ and this assembly is free to move along the line connecting them. All three masses interact only through their mutual gravitational interaction. When the point mass nearer to $M$ is at a distance $r = 3\ell$ from $M$,the tension in the rod is zero for $m = k\left(\frac{M}{288}\right)$. The value of $k$ is

Three identical spheres of mass $m$ are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side length $a$. When released,they interact only through gravitational force and collide after a time $T = 4 \text{ s}$. If the sides of the triangle are increased to length $2a$ and the masses of the spheres are made $2m$,then they will collide after . . . . . . seconds.

Two spherical bodies of mass $M$ and $5M$ and radii $R$ and $2R$ are released in free space with initial separation between their centres equal to $12R.$ If they attract each other due to gravitational force only,then the distance covered by the smaller body before collision is (in $R$)

$A$ geostationary satellite is at a height $h$ above the surface of the Earth. If the Earth's radius is $R$,which of the following statements is correct?

$(a)$ Earth can be thought of as a sphere of radius $6400 \, km$. Any object (or a person) is performing circular motion around the axis of the Earth due to the Earth's rotation (period $1 \, \text{day}$). What is the acceleration of an object on the surface of the Earth (at the equator) towards its centre? What is it at latitude $\theta$? How do these accelerations compare with $g = 9.8 \, m/s^2$?
$(b)$ The Earth also moves in a circular orbit around the Sun once every year with an orbital radius of $1.5 \times 10^{11} \, m$. What is the acceleration of the Earth (or any object on the surface of the Earth) towards the centre of the Sun? How does this acceleration compare with $g = 9.8 \, m/s^2$?

Imagine a narrow tunnel between two diametrically opposite points of the Earth. $A$ particle of mass $m$ is released in this tunnel. The time period of oscillation is ..........