Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Physics

Chapter

Gravitation

Question:

A body of mass m is approaching towards the centre of a hypothetical hollow planet of mass M and radius R. The speed of the body when it passes the centre of the planet through a diametrical tunnel is

Options:

$\sqrt{\frac{G M}{R}}$

$\sqrt{\frac{2G M}{R}}$

Zero

none of these

Correct Answer:

$\sqrt{\frac{2G M}{R}}$

Explanation:

At infinity the total energy of the body is zero. Therefore the total energy of the body just before hitting the planet P will be zero according to the conservation of energy

$\Rightarrow E_p=E_{\infty}=0$

$\Rightarrow U_p+K_p=0$

$\Rightarrow-\frac{G M m}{R}+\frac{1}{2} mv^2=0$

$\Rightarrow v=\sqrt{\frac{2 G M}{R}}$

Since the force imparted on a particle inside spherical shell is zero, therefore the velocity of the particle inside the spherical shell remain constant. Therefore, the body passes the centre of the planet with same speed i.e. v = $\sqrt{\frac{2 G M}{R}}$