Gravitation

JEE Main level, single correct, medium

66 of 223

Question 66 of 223

At a certain depth dd below surface of earth, value of acceleration due to gravity becomes four times that of its value at a height 3R3R above earth surface. Where RR is Radius of earth (Take R=6400kmR=6400km). The depth dd is equal to

Show answer and solution

Answer: (D) 4800km4800km

The magnitude of acceleration due to gravity g1{g}_{1} at a depth of dd below the surface of Earth is
g1=GMR3(R−d)=GMR2(1−dR){g}_{1}=G\dfrac{M}{{R}^{3}}\left(R-d\right)=G\dfrac{M}{{R}^{2}}\left(1-\dfrac{d}{R}\right) ....(1)
The magnitude of acceleration due to gravity
g2{g}_{2} at a height dd above the surface of Earth is
g2=GM(R+d)2{g}_{2}=G\dfrac{M}{{\left(R+d\right)}^{2}} ....(2)
Given here,
g1=4g2{g}_{1}=4{g}_{2}
GMR2(1−dR)=4GM(R+3R)2\dfrac{GM}{{R}^{2}}\left(1-\dfrac{d}{R}\right)=\dfrac{4GM}{{\left(R+3R\right)}^{2}}
⇒GMR2[1−dR]=4GM(4R)2\Rightarrow \dfrac{GM}{{R}^{2}}\left[1-\dfrac{d}{R}\right]=\dfrac{4GM}{{\left(4R\right)}^{2}}
⇒1−dR=14⇒dR=34⇒d=34R\Rightarrow 1-\dfrac{d}{R}=\dfrac{1}{4} \Rightarrow \dfrac{d}{R}=\dfrac{3}{4} \Rightarrow d=\dfrac{3}{4}R
⇒d=4800km\Rightarrow d=4800km

JEE Main question paper PDF

Open a shift to read the full paper on this page, or download it.

JEE Main 2025 Apr 2 Shift 1 question paper

Open Download PDF

Opening paper…

Explain it as a whiteboard videoStep-by-step, in Hinglish or English. Your first video needs no login.Solved it on paper but got it wrong?Upload a photo of your working. Mistake Doctor marks the exact line that broke.
See it move: Gravitation and orbits simulationDrag the sliders and watch the numbers in this question change.

More Physics practice

JEE Main Physics practice question on Gravitation (Acceleration Due to Gravity), with the answer and a step-by-step solution. Scan a question from your own book or paper to get a whiteboard video.