What you already know
1. Newton’s law of gravitation
2. Gravitational potential energy
3. Gravitational field
4. Gravitational field due a uniform ring
and disc at a point on its axis
5. Gravitational field due to a uniform thin
spherical shell and solid sphere
What you will learn
1. Gravitational potential
GRAVITATION 2. Potential due to a point mass
3. Relation between gravitational
S4: Gravitational Potential field and potential
4. Potential due to a uniform ring at
its axial point
5. Potential due to a uniform thin
spherical shell and solid sphere
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL
The gravitational field in a region of space is described by assigning a vector quantity 𝐸𝑔 at
each point .
𝐸𝑔
The direction of the field vector will be the same as the gravitational force experienced by a unit
mass.
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL
The same field can also be described by assigning a scalar quantity 𝑉 at each point known as
gravitational potential.
𝐸𝑔
𝑉
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL
𝐴 Change in potential between point 𝐴
𝐸𝑔
𝑚 and 𝐵
𝑈𝐴 𝑈𝐵 − 𝑈𝐴
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 =
𝑚
𝐵
Where the potential energy at point A and point
B is UA and UB , respectively.
𝑈𝐵
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL
To find the gravitational potential at point B, let’s choose point A be the reference point.
𝐴(Ref. Point) 𝑉𝐴 = 0
𝐸𝑔
𝑚
𝑈𝐴 Therefore,
𝑈𝐵 − 𝑈𝐴
𝐵 𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 =
𝑚
𝑈𝐵
Or,
Hence, the Potential at point 𝐵 is given by,
𝑈𝐵 − 𝑈𝐴
𝑉𝐵 =
𝑚
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a point mass
Consider that mass M is fixed at point A in space. In the
gravitational field created mass M, if a point mass m is 𝑟=∞
brought from infinity to point P which is r distance away
from mass M, then the change in gravitational potential is
given by, 𝑴 𝑚
𝑟=𝑟 𝑃
𝐴
𝐺𝑀𝑚
Where, 𝑈𝑃 − 𝑈∞ = −
𝑟
𝐺𝑀𝑚
Hence, 𝑈 𝑟 − 𝑈 ∞ = −
𝑟
Therefore, the gravitation Potential due to mass 𝑀 at distance 𝑟 is given by,
𝐺𝑀
𝑉 𝑟 =− Here, we have assumed the gravitational potential to be zero at infinity i.e., V(∞) = 0
𝑟
RELATION BETWEEN GRAVITATIONAL FIELD AND POTENTIAL
The small change in gravitational potential is given by, 𝑦
𝑑𝑉 = −𝐸𝑔 . 𝑑𝑟Ԧ
Let, the Gravitational Field in 3𝐷 space is :
𝐸𝑔
𝐸𝑔 = 𝐸𝑔 (𝑥)𝑖Ƹ + 𝐸𝑔 (𝑦)𝑗Ƹ + 𝐸𝑔 (𝑧)𝑘
𝑥
𝑑 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑑𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑑𝑦𝑗Ƹ + 𝑑𝑧𝑘
𝑧
𝑑𝑉 = −𝐸𝑔 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 − 𝐸𝑔 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 − 𝐸𝑔 (𝑧)𝑑𝑧
RELATION BETWEEN GRAVITATIONAL FIELD AND POTENTIAL
𝑦
𝐸𝑔 (𝑦)
Potential Field in 3𝐷 space is given as : 𝑉 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)
𝐸𝑔
𝐸𝑔 (𝑥)
𝜕𝑉
Gravitational Field along 𝑥 − direction : 𝐸𝑔 (𝑥) = −
𝜕𝑥 𝑥
𝜕𝑉
Gravitational Field along 𝑦 − direction : 𝐸𝑔 (𝑦) = −
𝜕𝑦 𝐸𝑔 (𝑧)
𝜕𝑉 𝑧
Gravitational Field along 𝑧 − direction : 𝐸𝑔 (𝑧) = − 𝜕𝑧
𝐸𝑔 = 𝐸𝑔 (𝑥)𝑖Ƹ + 𝐸𝑔 (𝑦)𝑗Ƹ + 𝐸𝑔 (𝑧)𝑘 𝐸𝑔 = − ∇V Where, ∇ = Nabla operator = 𝑖Ƹ 𝜕𝑥
𝜕
+ 𝑗Ƹ
𝜕
+ 𝑘
𝜕
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
QUESTION
The gravitational potential in a region is given by 𝑉 = 20 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝐽 𝑘𝑔− 1
(a) Find the gravitational field at the point (𝑥, 𝑦).
(b) Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force on a particle of mass 500 𝑔 placed at
the origin.
Solution
(a)
(b) 𝑉 = 20 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝐽 𝑘𝑔− 1 𝑚 = 500 𝑔
𝐸𝑃 𝑥, 𝑦 = −20𝑖Ƹ − 20𝑗Ƹ 𝑁 𝑘𝑔− 1 𝐹 = 10 2 𝑁
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform ring at its axial point
𝑑𝑚 Consider a uniform ring of mass M and radius R, and also
consider a small element of mass dm.
At point P, [due to mass dm]
𝑀
𝑅
𝑃 Total potential,
𝑥
Since gravitational potential is always attractive and 𝑟 = 𝑅2 + 𝑥 2 , we can write 𝑉 𝑥 = −
𝐺𝑀
𝑅2 + 𝑥 2
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform ring at its axial point
𝑑𝑚
𝑀
𝑅
We know that 𝐸𝑔 = − ∇V but in this case, V = V(x). 𝑃
Therefore, 𝐸𝑔 = − 𝜕𝑉 𝑥ො
𝜕𝑥 𝑥
QUESTION
A circular ring of mass 𝑀 and radius 𝑅 is placed in 𝑌𝑍 plane with centre at origin. A particle
of mass 𝑚 is released from rest at a point 𝑥 = 2𝑅. Find the speed with which it will pass
through the centre of ring.
Solution The gravitational potential due to a uniform ring of mass M and radius R at
any axial point at distance x from the centre of the ring is given by,
𝑦
𝑀
𝑅
𝑚 (rest)
𝑥
𝑂 𝐴
Therefore, the gravitational potential at point A and point O are
2𝑅
as follows:
𝑧
𝑦
At point A, the particle is at rest. So, kinetic energy, KA = 0
Let the velocity of the particle at point B be v.
𝑀
By applying the principle of energy conservation 𝑅
to the given system, we get, 𝑚
𝐸𝑓 𝐸𝑖
𝑥
𝑂 𝐴
2𝑅
1
2
2 5 − 1 𝐺𝑀
𝑣=
5𝑅
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform thin spherical shell
𝑅𝑑𝜃
The area of the elemental ring is given by,
𝐴 dA = (2πR sin θ)Rdθ
𝑧 The mass per unit area of the shell,
𝑅 𝑑𝜃 𝑅 sin 𝜃 𝑀
𝜃 𝛼 is given by, σ =
4𝜋𝑅2
𝑜 𝑟 𝑃
Therefore, the mass of the elemental ring becomes,
The gravitational potential at point P for elemental ring of mass dm becomes,
……………….(i)
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform thin spherical shell
𝑅𝑑𝜃
𝐴
𝑧
𝑅 𝑑𝜃 𝑅 sin 𝜃
𝜃 𝛼
𝑜 𝑟 𝑃
From equation (i), we get,
……………….(ii)
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform thin spherical shell
Case 1: 𝑃 is outside the shell 𝑟 > 𝑅
𝑅𝑑𝜃
𝐴
𝑧
𝑑𝜃 𝑅 sin 𝜃
𝑅
𝜃 𝛼
𝑜 𝑟 𝑃
𝐺𝑀
𝑉 =−
𝑟
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform thin spherical shell
Case 2: 𝑃 is inside the shell 𝑟 < 𝑅
𝑅𝑑𝜃
𝐴
𝑑𝜃 𝑧
𝑅 𝛼
𝜃
𝑜 𝑟 𝑃
𝐺𝑀
𝑉 =−
𝑅
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform solid sphere
Case 1: Potential at an external point 𝑟 > 𝑅
Consider a uniform solid sphere of mass M and radius R. We want to find the gravitational
potential at point P which is at a distance r (r > R) from the centre of the sphere.
• The solid sphere can be assumed as the composition of an
infinite number of concentric spherical shells of varying radii
𝑅
• The gravitational potential at point P due to the uniform solid
𝑜 sphere is the superposition of the gravitational potentials due to the
𝑟 𝑃 individual concentric spherical shells.
Let the gravitational potential at point P due to such an
elementary spherical shell (say, ith shell) of mass dmi is given by,
𝐺 𝑑𝑚𝑖
𝑑𝑉𝑖 = −
𝑟
Therefore, the net gravitational potential at point P is given by,
𝐺 σ𝑖 𝑑𝑚𝑖 𝐺𝑀
𝑉 = 𝑑𝑉𝑖 = − =−
𝐺𝑀 𝑖
𝑟 𝑟
𝑉 =−
𝑟
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform solid sphere
Case 2: Potential at an internal point 𝑟 < 𝑅
𝑅
Since gravitational field due to solid
𝑜 𝑟 sphere at any inter point is,
𝑃 𝐺𝑀𝑟
𝐸𝑔 = − 3 𝑟Ƹ
𝑅
GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL Potential due to a uniform solid sphere
Case 2: Potential at an internal point 𝑟 < 𝑅
𝑜 𝑟
𝑃
𝐺𝑀
𝑉 = − 3 (3𝑅2 − 𝑟 2 )
2𝑅
