JEE Gravitation PYQs
JEE Gravitation PYQs are previous year questions covering gravitational force, field, potential, acceleration due to gravity, escape speed and satellite motion. Solving these questions helps you practise selecting the correct distance, applying energy conservation and understanding how gravitational quantities change with position.
To solve JEE Gravitation Questions, first identify the reference point for distance and the quantity being asked. Distinguish gravitational field from potential, and check whether a satellite follows a circular orbit before using circular-orbit formulas. For an object at height h above a planet, the distance from the planet’s centre is R + h.
This blog provides a downloadable PYQ PDF, a formula PDF, a quick-reference table and common mistakes to avoid. Use these resources to revise the concepts, attempt questions independently and review errors in signs, distances and calculations.
JEE Gravitation Important PYQs PDF
Download the Top 30 JEE Gravitation PYQs PDF below for focused practice and revision. Solve each question before checking the solution, then compare your method with the explanation to identify any missed conditions or unnecessary calculations.
Include this chapter in your JEE Chapter-wise PYQ practice, with attention to gravitational force, variation in g, potential and potential energy, escape speed and satellite motion. For each problem, note which quantities remain constant and which depend on the distance from the centre.
After completing chapter-wise revision, attempt JEE Advanced mocks to practise switching between topics and managing time across the paper. Review questions where you confused orbital radius with altitude or applied a formula outside its conditions.
Important Formulas for JEE Gravitation PYQs
The main gravitation formulas describe the force between masses, gravitational field and potential, escape speed and orbital motion. Before applying a Gravitation formula for JEE, check the mass distribution and position of the object. The expressions GM/r² and -GM/r apply to a point mass or outside a spherically symmetric mass distribution.
Download the formula PDF below for revision. The table lists the key equations and the conditions needed to use them correctly.
| Concept | Formula | Condition or Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Newton’s Law of Gravitation | $$F = \frac{Gm_1m_2}{r^2}$$ | For point masses; also applies to non-overlapping spherically symmetric bodies using their centre-to-centre separation |
| Surface Gravitational Acceleration | $$g_0 = \frac{GM}{R^2}$$ | For a spherical planet of mass M and radius R, neglecting rotation |
| Gravitational Field Magnitude | $$g(r) = \frac{GM}{r^2}$$ | Outside a spherical mass; the field points towards its centre |
| Gravitational Potential | $$V = -\frac{GM}{r}$$ | Outside a spherical mass, taking potential as zero at infinity |
| Gravitational Potential Energy | $$U = -\frac{GMm}{r}$$ | For a mass m outside a spherical body of mass M, with zero potential energy at infinity |
| Escape Speed from Distance r | $$v_e = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{r}}$$ | Minimum speed to reach infinity with zero final speed, neglecting resistance and other celestial bodies |
| Escape Speed from a Planet’s Surface | $$v_e = \sqrt{2g_0R}$$ | Neglects the planet’s rotation and atmospheric resistance |
| Circular Orbital Speed | $$v_o = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}$$ | For a satellite of negligible mass in a circular orbit of radius r |
| Escape Speed and Circular Orbital Speed | $$v_e = \sqrt{2}\,v_o$$ | Compare both speeds at the same distance from the same central body |
| Time Period of a Circular Orbit | $$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{r^3}{GM}}$$ | r is the orbital radius measured from the planet’s centre |
| Gravitational Acceleration at Height h | $$g(h) = g_0\left(\frac{R}{R+h}\right)^2$$ | For height h above a spherical planet’s surface, neglecting rotation |
| Gravitational Acceleration at Depth d | $$g(d) = g_0\left(1-\frac{d}{R}\right)$$ | Assumes a spherical planet of uniform density and neglects rotation |
| Total Energy in a Circular Orbit | $$E_{\text{total}} = -\frac{GMm}{2r}$$ | Sum of the satellite’s kinetic and gravitational potential energies, with potential energy zero at infinity |
| Kepler’s Third Law | $$T^2 = \frac{4\pi^2a^3}{GM}$$ | a is the semi-major axis; assumes the orbiting body’s mass is negligible compared with M |
Here, G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the central body’s mass, m is the orbiting or test body’s mass, R is the planet’s radius and r is the distance from its centre. The symbol g0 represents gravitational acceleration at the surface.
Gravitational field is a vector, so add field contributions with their directions. Gravitational potential is a scalar, so add potentials algebraically. A point can have zero net gravitational field while still having a non-zero gravitational potential.
Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in JEE Gravitation PYQs
The main mistakes in JEE Gravitation PYQs involve confusing mass with weight, using incorrect signs for potential energy, measuring distance from the wrong point, mixing escape and orbital speeds, and overlooking unit conversions.
Confusing mass and weight
An object’s mass does not change merely because its location changes, but its gravitational weight depends on the local field through W = mg. A satellite in orbit still experiences gravity; its apparent weightlessness occurs because it and its occupants are in free fall.
Forgetting the reference for potential and potential energy
With zero potential chosen at infinity, V = -GM/r and U = -GMm/r outside a spherical mass. Moving an object farther away makes these values less negative. Calculate the change as the final value minus the initial value, keeping the signs intact.
Using altitude instead of distance from the centre
For an object at height h above a planet’s surface, use r = R + h in the external field, potential and orbital formulas. At depth d, the distance from the centre is R - d, but substituting this directly into GM/r² using the planet’s total mass is incorrect; only the enclosed mass contributes to the field in a spherically symmetric planet.
Mixing up escape speed and orbital speed
Escape speed is the minimum initial speed needed to reach infinity with no remaining speed under the stated ideal assumptions. Circular orbital speed keeps an object in a circular orbit at a specified radius. The relation ve = √2 vo applies only when both speeds are evaluated at the same radius.
Ignoring units and powers of ten
Convert distances from kilometres to metres before using SI values of G and mass. Gravitational field has units of N/kg, equivalent to m/s²; potential has units of J/kg; and potential energy has units of joules. Check powers of ten carefully when working with planetary masses and radii.
List of JEE Gravitation PYQs
Here is a short set of JEE-style gravitation questions for practice. These cover common question types from gravitational force, acceleration due to gravity, potential, escape velocity, and satellites. Solving them regularly can help you become faster and more confident.
Question 1
Initially a satellite of 100 kg is in a circular orbit of radius $$1.5R_{E}$$ This satellite can be moved to a circular orbit of radius $$3R_{E}$$ by supplying $$\alpha\times10^{6}J$$ of energy The value of $$\alpha$$ is ____. (Take Radius of Earth $$R_{E}=6\times10^{6}m\text{ and }g=10m/s^{2}$$)
correct answer:- 2
Question 2
Given below are two statements:
Statement I : A satellite is moving around earth in the orbit very close to the earth surface. The time period of revolution of satellite depends upon the density of earth.
Statement II: The time period of revolution of the satellite is $$T= 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{R_{e}}{g}}$$ (for satellite very close to the earth surface), where $$R_{e}$$ radius of earth and g acceleration due to gravity. In the light of the above statements , choose the correct answer from the options given below:
correct answer:- 1
Question 3
Net gravitational force at the center of a square is found to be $$F_{1}$$ when four particles having mass $$M, 2M, 3M$$ and $$4M$$ are placed at the four corners of the square as shown in figure and it is $$F_{2}$$ when the positions of $$3M$$ and $$4M$$ are interchanged.
The ratio $$\frac{F_{1}}{F_{2}}$$ is $$\frac{\alpha}{\sqrt{5}}$$ The value of $$\alpha$$ is _________.

correct answer:- 4
Question 4
The escape velocity from a spherical planet $$A$$ is $$10 km/s.$$ The escape velocity from another planet $$B$$ whose density and radius are 10% of those of planet $$A$$, is ______$$m/s.$$
correct answer:- 2
Question 5
Given below are two statements. One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : A simple pendulum is taken to a planet of mass and radius, 4 times and 2 times, respectively, than the Earth. The time period of the pendulum remains same on earth and the planet. Reason (R): The mass of the pendulum remains unchanged at Earth and the other planet. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
correct answer:- 4
Question 6
A small point of mass m is placed at a distance 2R from the centre 'O' of a big uniform solid sphere of mass M and radius R . The gravitational force on ' m ' due to M is $$F_1$$. A spherical part of radius R/3 is removed from the big sphere as shown in the figure and the gravitational force on m due to remaining part of M is found to be $$F_2$$ . The value of ratio $$F_1 : F_2$$ is

correct answer:- 1
Question 7
If a satellite orbiting the Earth is 9 times closer to the Earth than the Moon, what is the time period of rotation of the satellite? Given rotational time period of Moon =27 days and gravitational attraction between the satellite and the moon is neglected.
correct answer:- 2
Question 8
A satellite of mass $$\frac{M}{2}$$ is revolving around earth in a circular orbit at a height of $$\frac{R}{3}$$ from earth surface. The angular momentum of the satellite is $$M\sqrt{\frac{GMR}{x}}$$.The value of $$x$$ is ______ , where M and R are the mass and radius of earth, respectively. ( G is the gravitational constant)
correct answer:- 3
Question 9
A satellite is launched into a circular orbit of radius $$R$$ around the earth. A second satellite is launched into an orbit of radius $$1.03R.$$ The time period of revolution of the second satellite is larger than the first one approximately by:
correct answer:- 3
Question 10
Acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is $$g$$. If the diameter of earth is reduced to one third of its original value and mass remains unchanged, then the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth is $$\underline{\hspace{2cm}}\,g.$$
correct answer:- 9
Question 11
A positive ion A and a negative ion B has charges $$6.67\times10^{-19}C$$ and $$9.6\times10^{-10}C$$, and masses $$19.2\times10^{-27}Kg$$ and $$9\times10^{-27}Kg$$ respectively. At an instant, the ions are separated by a certain distance r. At that instant the ratio of the magnitudes of electrostatic force to gravitational force is $$P\times10^{45}$$ , where the value of 10P is (Take $$\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_{0}}=9\times10^{9}NM^{2}C^{-1}$$ and universal gravitational constant as $$6.67\times10^{-11}NM^{2}Kg^{-2}$$)
Assume that charge may not be an integral multiple of electrons.
correct answer:- 5
Question 12

Three equal masses m are kept at vertices (A, B, C) of an equilateral triangle of side a in free space. At t=0, they are given an initial velocity $$\vec{V}_A = V_0 \overrightarrow{AC}$$, $$\vec{V}_B = V_0 \overrightarrow{BA}$$ and $$\vec{V}_C = V_0 \overrightarrow{CB}$$. Here $$\overrightarrow{AC}$$, $$\overrightarrow{CB}$$ and $$\overrightarrow{BA}$$ are unit vectors along the edges of the triangle. If the three masses interact gravitationally, then the magnitude of the net angular momentum of the system at the point of collision is :
correct answer:- 3
Question 13
Two planets, A and B are orbiting a common star in circular orbits of radii $$R_{A}$$ and $$R_{B}$$, respectively, with $$R_{B} = 2R_{A}$$. The planet B is $$4\sqrt{2}$$ times more massive than planet A. The ratio $$\left(\frac{L_{B}}{L_{A}}\right)$$ of angular momentum $$(L_{B})$$ of planet B to that of planet $$A(L_{A})$$ is closest to integer ________.
correct answer:- 8
Question 14
A metal wire of uniform mass density having length L and mass M is bent to form a semicircular arc and a particle of mass m is placed at the centre of the arc. The gravitational force on the particle by the wire is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 15
Earth has mass 8 times and radius 2 times that of a planet. If the escape velocity from the earth is 11.2 km/s. the escape velocity in km/s from the planet will be :
correct answer:- 3
Question 16
If $$R$$ is the radius of the earth and the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is $$g = \pi^2$$ m s$$^{-2}$$, then the length of the second's pendulum at a height $$h = 2R$$ from the surface of earth will be:
correct answer:- 2
Question 17
A light planet is revolving around a massive star in a circular orbit of radius $$R$$ with a period of revolution $$T$$. If the force of attraction between planet and star is proportional to $$R^{-3/2}$$ then choose the correct option:
correct answer:- 1
Question 18
The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is $$g$$. If the diameter of earth reduces to half of its original value and mass remains constant, then acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth would be :
correct answer:- 4
Question 19
Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : The angular speed of the moon in its orbit about the earth is more than the angular speed of the earth in its orbit about the sun.
Reason (R) : The moon takes less time to move around the earth than the time taken by the earth to move around the sun.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
correct answer:- 2
Question 20
At what distance above and below the surface of the earth a body will have same weight? (Take radius of earth as $$R$$)
correct answer:- 4
Question 21
A planet takes $$200$$ days to complete one revolution around the Sun. If the distance of the planet from Sun is reduced to one fourth of the original distance, how many days will it take to complete one revolution?
correct answer:- 1
Question 22
The gravitational potential at a point above the surface of earth is $$-5.12 \times 10^7 \text{ J kg}^{-1}$$ and the acceleration due to gravity at that point is $$6.4 \text{ m s}^{-2}$$. Assume that the mean radius of earth to be $$6400 \text{ km}$$. The height of this point above the earth's surface is:
correct answer:- 1
Question 23
Escape velocity of a body from earth is 11.2 km s$$^{-1}$$. If the radius of a planet be one-third the radius of earth and mass be one-sixth that of earth, the escape velocity from the planet is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 24
Four identical particles of mass $$m$$ are kept at the four corners of a square. If the gravitational force exerted on one of the masses by the other masses is $$\frac{2\sqrt{2}+1}{32}\frac{Gm^2}{L^2}$$, the length of the sides of the square is
correct answer:- 2
Question 25
The mass of the moon is $$\frac{1}{144}$$ times the mass of a planet and its diameter $$\frac{1}{16}$$ times the diameter of a planet. If the escape velocity on the planet is $$v$$, the escape velocity on the moon will be:
correct answer:- 1
Question 26
A $$90$$ kg body placed at $$2R$$ distance from surface of earth experiences gravitational pull of: ($$R$$ = Radius of earth, $$g = 10$$ m s$$^{-2}$$)
correct answer:- 1
Question 27
Correct formula for height of a satellite from earth's surface is:
correct answer:- 2
Question 28
A satellite revolving around a planet in stationary orbit has time period 6 hours. The mass of planet is one-fourth the mass of earth. The radius orbit of planet is : (Given = Radius of geo-stationary orbit for earth is $$4.2 \times 10^4$$ km)
correct answer:- 2
Question 29
If $$G$$ be the gravitational constant and $$u$$ be the energy density then which of the following quantity have the dimensions as that of the $$\sqrt{uG}$$ :
correct answer:- 4
Question 30
A simple pendulum doing small oscillations at a place R height above earth surface has time period of $$T_1 = 4 \text{ s}$$. $$T_2$$ would be its time period if it is brought to a point which is at a height $$2R$$ from earth surface. Choose the correct relation $$[R = \text{radius of earth}]$$ :
correct answer:- 4
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