Gravitation Practice Questions
Class 11 · Physics · 1570 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
1570
Total
567
Easy
746
Medium
257
Hard
Start Practicing Gravitation
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Topics in Gravitation
Satellites
375
Kepler's Laws
365
Escape Velocity
235
Gravitational Potential Energy
238
Universal Law
357
Sample Questions from Gravitation
Here are 10 sample questions. Start a quiz to get randomized questions with scoring.
Q1
Easy
Which of the following statements correctly describes Kepler's First Law?
A.
Planets move in circular orbits around the Sun.
B.
The line joining a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.
C.
The square of the period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.
D.
All planets revolve around the Earth.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kepler's First Law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus, leading to equal areas being swept out in equal times.
Q2
Easy
According to Kepler's Second Law, what happens to the speed of a planet as it gets closer to the Sun?
A.
It moves slower.
B.
It moves at a constant speed.
C.
It moves faster.
D.
It stops momentarily.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
As a planet approaches the Sun, gravitational attraction increases, causing the planet to move faster.
Q3
Easy
What does Kepler's Third Law relate to the motion of planets?
A.
The speed of a planet's orbit.
B.
The distance of a planet from the Sun.
C.
The time period of a planet's orbit.
D.
The mass of the Sun.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Kepler's Third Law states that the square of the period of revolution of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.
Q4
Medium
What does Kepler's First Law state about planetary motion?
A.
Planets move in circular orbits.
B.
Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.
C.
All planets have the same orbital period.
D.
The speed of a planet is constant in its orbit.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kepler's First Law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus, which describes how the distances between planets and the Sun change over time.
Q5
Medium
According to Kepler's Second Law, what is the relationship between the area swept by a planet and time?
A.
Area is proportional to the square of time.
B.
Area is constant for equal time intervals.
C.
Area is inversely proportional to time.
D.
Area varies linearly with time.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kepler's Second Law indicates that a line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal time intervals, meaning the area swept is constant over time.
Q6
Medium
What happens to the orbital speed of a planet as it approaches the Sun?
A.
It decreases.
B.
It remains constant.
C.
It increases.
D.
It fluctuates randomly.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
Kepler's Second Law explains that a planet moves faster in its orbit when it is closer to the Sun and slower when it is farther, hence the speed increases as the planet approaches the Sun.
Q7
Medium
If the eccentricity of a planet's orbit is 0, what type of orbit does it have?
A.
Elliptical orbit
B.
Circular orbit
C.
Parabolic orbit
D.
Hyperbolic orbit
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
An orbit with an eccentricity of 0 is circular. Eccentricity measures the deviation of an orbit from being circular, so 0 means perfect circularity.
Q8
Hard
According to Kepler's Third Law, the square of the period of a planet is proportional to which power of its average distance from the sun?
A.
1
B.
2
C.
3
D.
4
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kepler's Third Law states that the square of the orbital period (T) of a planet is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis (r) of its orbit, expressed as T² ∝ r³. Thus, the correct option is 2.
Q9
Hard
If the distance between two planets is doubled, how does this affect the gravitational force between them?
A.
Increases by a factor of 2
B.
Decreases by a factor of 4
C.
Remains the same
D.
Decreases by a factor of 8
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
According to Newton's Law of Gravitation, the gravitational force decreases with the square of the distance between the two masses. Thus, if the distance is doubled, the force decreases by a factor of 4.
Q10
Hard
Which of the following statements best describes the shape of a planet's orbit according to Kepler's First Law?
A.
Circular
B.
Elliptical
C.
Parabolic
D.
Hyperbolic
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Kepler's First Law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one of the foci, not in circular orbits.
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Gravitation — Class 11 Physics Practice Questions Online
This page contains 1570 practice MCQs for the chapter Gravitation in Class 11 Physics. The questions are organized by difficulty — 567 easy, 746 medium, 257 hard — so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit. This chapter covers 5 topics, giving you comprehensive coverage of the entire chapter.