If the gravitational field intensity at a point is given by $g=\dfrac{GM}{{{r}^{2.5}}}$, then the potential at a distance $r$ is
A. $\dfrac{-2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$
B. $\dfrac{-GM}{{{r}^{3.5}}}$
C. $\dfrac{GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$
D. $\dfrac{GM}{{{r}^{3.5}}}$
Answer
669.9k+ views
Hint: This problem can be solved by using the definition of gravitational potential and its relation with gravitational field intensity. Gravitational potential of a point is the amount of work done per unit mass to bring the object from infinity to that point without any acceleration.
The gravitational field intensity is the gravitational force exerted per unit mass on an object.
Formula used:
$V=\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{I.dr}$
where $V$ is the gravitational potential of a point, $I$ is the gravitational field intensity and $dr$ is the infinitesimal displacement of the body in the direction of the gravitational field intensity.
Complete step by step answer:
The gravitational potential of a point is the total amount of work done to bring a unit mass from infinity to that point in the presence of a gravitational field.
Hence,
$V=\int\limits_{0}^{W}{d{{W}_{\text{unit mass}}}}$ --(1)
Where $d{{W}_{\text{unit mass}}}$ is the infinitesimal amount of work done upon the unit mass.
Gravitational field intensity $\left( I \right)$ is the gravitational force per unit mass. Hence, the work done by the gravitational field to displace a unit mass by an infinitesimal displacement $dr$ will be
$d{{W}_{\text{unit mass}}}=I.dr$ --(2)
Hence, using (1) and (2), we get,
$V=\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{I.dr}$ --(3)
where $V$ is the gravitational potential of a point, $I$ is the gravitational field intensity and $dr$ is the infinitesimal displacement of the body in the direction of the gravitational field intensity.
Now, let us analyze the question.
Given, $I=\dfrac{GM}{{{r}^{2.5}}}$ --(4)
Putting (4) in (3), we get,
$V=\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{\dfrac{GM}{{{r}^{2.5}}}dr=GM\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{{{r}^{-2.5}}dr}}=GM\left[ \dfrac{{{r}^{-1.5}}}{-1.5} \right]_{\infty }^{r}$ $\left( \because \int{{{x}^{n}}dx}=\left[ \dfrac{{{x}^{n+1}}}{n+1} \right] \right)$
$\therefore V=\left[ -\dfrac{GM}{\dfrac{3{{r}^{1.5}}}{2}} \right]_{\infty }^{r}=\left[ -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}} \right]_{\infty }^{r}=\left[ -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}-\left( -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{\left( \infty \right)}^{1.5}}} \right) \right]=\left[ -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}-0 \right]=-\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$ $\left( \because \dfrac{1}{\infty }=0 \right)$
Hence, the required gravitational potential is $-\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$.
Hence, the correct option is A) $-\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$.
Note: It is always better to solve these types of problems by strictly following their mathematical definitions. By following the mathematical definitions and proceeding with the calculation, there is very little chance of making a mistake. Students must also take care of the signs in the mathematical definitions. Many mathematical definitions in the topic of gravitation include a negative sign which is very important especially in cases like gravitational potential.
For example, in the above problem, the negative sign in the answer is indicative that the force acting on the body is attractive and external work has to be done to move the body in a direction opposite to the force. A positive sign would have suggested a repulsive force.
The gravitational field intensity is the gravitational force exerted per unit mass on an object.
Formula used:
$V=\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{I.dr}$
where $V$ is the gravitational potential of a point, $I$ is the gravitational field intensity and $dr$ is the infinitesimal displacement of the body in the direction of the gravitational field intensity.
Complete step by step answer:
The gravitational potential of a point is the total amount of work done to bring a unit mass from infinity to that point in the presence of a gravitational field.
Hence,
$V=\int\limits_{0}^{W}{d{{W}_{\text{unit mass}}}}$ --(1)
Where $d{{W}_{\text{unit mass}}}$ is the infinitesimal amount of work done upon the unit mass.
Gravitational field intensity $\left( I \right)$ is the gravitational force per unit mass. Hence, the work done by the gravitational field to displace a unit mass by an infinitesimal displacement $dr$ will be
$d{{W}_{\text{unit mass}}}=I.dr$ --(2)
Hence, using (1) and (2), we get,
$V=\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{I.dr}$ --(3)
where $V$ is the gravitational potential of a point, $I$ is the gravitational field intensity and $dr$ is the infinitesimal displacement of the body in the direction of the gravitational field intensity.
Now, let us analyze the question.
Given, $I=\dfrac{GM}{{{r}^{2.5}}}$ --(4)
Putting (4) in (3), we get,
$V=\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{\dfrac{GM}{{{r}^{2.5}}}dr=GM\int\limits_{\infty }^{r}{{{r}^{-2.5}}dr}}=GM\left[ \dfrac{{{r}^{-1.5}}}{-1.5} \right]_{\infty }^{r}$ $\left( \because \int{{{x}^{n}}dx}=\left[ \dfrac{{{x}^{n+1}}}{n+1} \right] \right)$
$\therefore V=\left[ -\dfrac{GM}{\dfrac{3{{r}^{1.5}}}{2}} \right]_{\infty }^{r}=\left[ -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}} \right]_{\infty }^{r}=\left[ -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}-\left( -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{\left( \infty \right)}^{1.5}}} \right) \right]=\left[ -\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}-0 \right]=-\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$ $\left( \because \dfrac{1}{\infty }=0 \right)$
Hence, the required gravitational potential is $-\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$.
Hence, the correct option is A) $-\dfrac{2GM}{3{{r}^{1.5}}}$.
Note: It is always better to solve these types of problems by strictly following their mathematical definitions. By following the mathematical definitions and proceeding with the calculation, there is very little chance of making a mistake. Students must also take care of the signs in the mathematical definitions. Many mathematical definitions in the topic of gravitation include a negative sign which is very important especially in cases like gravitational potential.
For example, in the above problem, the negative sign in the answer is indicative that the force acting on the body is attractive and external work has to be done to move the body in a direction opposite to the force. A positive sign would have suggested a repulsive force.
Recently Updated Pages
Which of the following graphs shows the variation of class 12 physics CBSE

Draw a labelled diagram of the human male reproductive class 12 biology CBSE

Describe the experiment to compare the emf of two cells class 12 physics CBSE

What is standard hydrogen electrode

What is conventional current and electric current class 12 physics CBSE

2Bromopentane is treated with an alcoholic KOH solution class 12 chemistry CBSE

Trending doubts
Draw a labelled sketch of the human eye class 12 physics CBSE

Which are the Top 10 Largest Countries of the World?

A member of Simon commission later became Prime Minister class 12 social science CBSE

Draw ray diagrams each showing i myopic eye and ii class 12 physics CBSE

Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous class 12 chemistry CBSE

Which is the correct genotypic ratio of mendel dihybrid class 12 biology CBSE

