Q 1. Define the following terms.
(a) Freefall
(b) Acceleration due to gravity
(c) Mass
(d) Weight
(e) Density
(f) Relative density
(g) Thrust
(h) Pressure
(i) Buoyancy
Ans.
(a) Freefall: Whenever objects fall towards the Earth under gravitational force alone, we say that the objects are in free fall.
(b) Acceleration due to gravity: The acceleration with which a body falls towards the Earth due to Earth’s gravitational pull is known as acceleration due to gravity.
(c) Mass: Mass of a body is the quantity of matter contained in it.
(d) Weight: The weight of an object is the force with which it is attracted to the Earth.
(e) Density: The density of a substance is defined as its mass per unit volume.
(f) Relative density: The relative density of a substance is the ratio of its density to that of water.
(g) Thrust: The force acting on an object perpendicular to the surface is called thrust.
(h) Pressure: The thrust per unit area is called pressure.
(i) Buoyancy: When a body is partially or wholly immersed in a fluid, an upward force acts on it which is called upthrust or buoyant force.
Q 2. What is the source of centripetal force that a planet requires to revolve around the Sun? On what factors does that force depend?
Ans. Gravitational force is the source of centripetal force that a planet requires to revolve around the Sun. This force depends on the mass of the planet and the Sun and their separation.
Q 3. Suppose gravity on Earth suddenly becomes zero then in which direction will the moon begin to move if no other celestial body affects it?
Ans. Moon will move tangent to the point of its circular orbit.
Q 4. Identical packets are dropped from two airplanes, one above the equator and the other above the north pole, both at height h. Assuming all conditions are identical, wifi those packets take some time to reach the surface of the Earth. Justify your answer.
Ans. No, both packets will take different time. Packet at the pole will take less time because the acceleration due to gravity at the pole is greater than that the equator.
Q 5.The weight of any person on the moon is about 1/6 times that on the Earth. A person can lift a mass of 15 kg on the Earth. What will be the maximum mass, which can be lifted by the same force applied by the person on the moon?
Ans. The person can lift six times the weight of an object on the Earth with the same force on the moon. Hence he can lift 90 kg on the moon.
Q 6.What is the value of acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon?
Ans. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon is 1.6 m/s2
Q 7. Find the weight of a stone on the surface of Earth if its mass is 20 kg. (g -9.8 m/s2)
Ans.
Mass of stone, m = 20 kg
Weight of stone, w = mg
or, w = 20 x 9.8
∴ w = 196 N
Q 8. In which direction does the buoyant force on an object immersed in a liquid act?
Ans. The buoyant force on an object acts in an upward direction.
Q 9. What should be the value of the relative density of a substance so that it may sink in water?
Ans. If the relative density of the substance is greater than that of water, then it sinks in water.
Q 10. Name the two forces acting on an object floating on the surface of the water.
Ans.
- Gravitational force acts downward.
- The buoyant force acts upward.
Q 11. The relative density of mercury is 13.6. What does this statement mean?
Ans. It means that the density of mercury is 13.6 times that of water.
Q 12. Write down SI unit of
(a) Universal gravitational constant
(b) Acceleration due to gravity
(c) Density
(d) Relative density
(e) Mass
(f) Weight.
Ans.
(a) Nm2/kg2
(b) rn/s2
(c) kg/m3
(d) no unit
(e) kg
(f) N
Q 13. If an iron ball exerts a gravitational force F on the rubber ball. How much force will the rubber ball exert on the iron ball? Explain.
Ans. The rubber ball also exerts the same force F on the iron ball. According to New toys law of gravitation, both body attracts each other with equal force but in opposite direction.
Q 14. What is the difference between ‘g’ and ‘G’?
Acceleration due to gravity (g):
- The acceleration produced in a body falling freely under the action of the gravitational pull of the Earth is known as acceleration due to gravity.
- The value of ‘G’ is same at every point on the Earth.
Ans.
Acceleration due to gravity (G):
- The gravitational force between two bodies of unit masses separated by a init distance is known as universal gravitational constant.
- The value of is different at different points on the Earth.
Q 15. The moon is acted by the gravitational pull of the Earth, still, it does not fall onto the Earth. Explain, why?
Ans. The gravitational force of the Earth provides centripetal force to the moon for motion around the Earth
Q 16. Mention any two phenomena which successfully explain the basis of the universal law of gravitation.
Ans.
- Tides in oceans are formed due to the gravitational force between the moon and the water in oceans,
- The atmosphere of the Earth is possible due to the gravitational force.
Q 17. On what factors does buoyant force depend?
Ans. Buoyant force depends on
- Density of fluid
- Volume of fluid displaced
- Acceleration due to gravity at that point
Q 18. Distinguish between density and relative density of a substance.
Ans.
Density:
- It is defined as mass per unit volume.
- SI unit of density is kg/m3
Relative density:
- It is defined as the ratio of the density of the substance to the density of water at 4°C.
- Unitless.
Q 19. State following laws or principles
(a) Newton’s law of gravitation
(b) Pascal’s law
(c) Archimede’s principle
Ans .Newton’s law of gravitation: Every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force, which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of distance between the two masses Pascal’s law: In an enclosed fluid, if pressure is changed in any part of the fluid, then this change in pressure is transmitted undiminished to all the other parts of the fluid.
Archimede’s principle: When a body is immersed fully or partially in a fluid, it experiences an upward force that is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by it.
Q 20. Why does an object float or sink when placed on the surface of the water?
Ans. When an object is placed on the surface of the water, two forces act on the object.
- The gravitational force in the downward direction.
- Upthrust or buoyant force in the upward direction.
Q 21. Write any three applications of Archimede’s principle.
Ans. Applications of Archimede’s principle –
- To design ships and submarines.
- To design lactometers to test the purity of milk.
- To design hydrometers to find the density of liquids.
Q 22. Explain why a gas bubble released at the bottom of a lake grows in size as it rises to the surface of the lake.
Ans. The pressure at the bottom is greater than at its surface. Therefore, as the bubble rises up, the pressure of water on it decreases as a result its volume increases
Q 23. A block of wood is placed inside the water and the water is then heated. What change will occur in the state of floatation of the block?
Ans. The density of water decreases as temperature increases. Hence the volume of the block immersed in water increases.
Q 24. Sumeet’s uncle often complained that the milk supplied to him was not pure. But the man, who was supplying milk said that it was pure. Sumeet knew how to test the purity of milk. He brought a lactometer and tested the milk
- On what principle, does the lactometer works?
- Write down the values shown by Sumeet.
Ans.
- Lactometer works on Archimede’s principle.
- Sumeet is an intelligent boy and has good knowledge of science.
Q 25. Raman went to Goa and he saw tides in the sea. He asked his teacher about the reason behind the formation of tides in sea. His teacher explained the phenomenon of the formation of tides.
- Explain the reason for the formation of tides in the sea.
- Write down the values shown by Raman and his teacher.
Ans.
- The reason for the formation of tides in sea is the gravitational attraction of the moon.
- Raman is a curious student and his teacher is a cooperative person.
Q 26. Ayush went to buy a school bag. There he selected a bag with broad straps for more comfort.
Answer the following questions on the basis of the above statement.
- Why are broad handles provided in bags and suitcases?
- Write down the values shown by Ayush.
Ans.
- Broad handles are provided in bags and suitcases so that the area of contact increases. This reduces the pressure exerted by the weight of the bag or the suitcase.
- Ayush is a knowledgeable boy.
Q 27. A body weighs 5 kg in air and 3 kg when fully immersed in water.
- Find the apparent loss in weight of the body.
- The upward thrust on the body.
- The volume of the body. (take g = 10 m/s2)
Ans.
Given, Mass of the body in the air,
ma = 5 kg
Mass of body when immersed in water,
mw = 3 kg
1. The apparent loss in weight = weight of the body in air – weight of the body in water
= 50 N – 30 N = 20 N
Apparent loss in weight = 20 N
2. Upthrust on the body = loss in weight of the body = 20 N
3. The volume of the body = volume of liquid displaced
Q 28. Why is the weight of a body-less at the equator than poles?
Ans. Since the acceleration due to gravity at the equator is less than the acceleration due to gravity at the poles. So the weight of the body is less at the equator than at the poles.
Q 29. Why is the weight of an object lesson a mountain than at the sea level?
Ans. When we move away from the center of Earth, acceleration due to gravity decreases (above the surface of Earth). So the weight of the object at the mountain is less in comparison to the weight at the surface.
Q 30. Why is the weight of a man less on the surface of the moon than on the surface of Earth?
Ans. The value of acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the moon is one-sixth times the value of acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the Earth. So the weight of a body on the moon is one-sixth times the weight of the body on the Earth.
Q 31. Why is the weight of a body zero at the center of the Earth?
Ans. Acceleration due to gravity at the center of the Earth is zero. Hence the weight of the object is zero.
Q 32. Why does an iron nail sinks in water but a wooden cork floats on water?
Ans. The density of an iron nail is greater than the density of water so, it sinks in water. The density of a wooden cork is less than the density of water, hence it floats on water.
Q 33. Why does a balloon filled with hydrogen gas float in the air?
Ans. The density of hydrogen is less than the density of air.
Or
The upthrust on buoyant force acting on a hydrogen balloon is greater than the weight of the hydrogen balloon. So it floats in air.
Q 34. Why is a bucket of water lighter when in water than when it is taken out of water?
Ans. A bucket of water appears lighter inside water due to the upthrust or buoyant force of water.
Q 35. Why is a sharp knife more effective than a blunt knife?
Ans. The pressure is inversely proportional to the area for the same force. Therefore pressure exerted by a sharp knife îs more than the pressure exerted by a blunt knife. Therefore, a sharp knife is more effective in cutting an object than a blunt knife.
Q 36. Why do we feel lighter when we swim?
Ans. Due to the upthrust or buoyant force of a water, we feel light.
Q 37. Why does a truck or a motor bus have very wide tires?
Ans. 8y using a wide tire, the area of contact with the ground is increased and hence the load is distributed on a larger area to reduce pressure.
Q 38. Why do nails and pins have pointed ends?
Ans. Nails and pins have pointed ends so that these can be fixed with minimum force because the pressure on the pointed ends would be large.
Q 39. Why are wide wooden sleepers kept below railway lines?
Ans. Wide wooden sleepers are kept below railway lines to reduce pressure on the railway tracks and prevent them from sinking into the ground.
Q 40. Why does the foundation of a building or a dam have a large surface area?
Ans. The foundation of a building or a dam has a large surface area so that the pressure exerted on the ground is less. This is done to prevent the sinking of the building or dam into the ground.
Q 41. Why do skiers use flat skies to slide over snow?
Ans. To increase surface area and decrease pressure on snow.
Q 42. Why are broad handles provided in bags and suitcases?
Ans. Using broad handles increases area and hence decreases pressure.
Q 43. Why a camel walks easily on the sandy surface than a man?
Ans. A camel walks easily on the sandy surface because the area of the camel’s feet is large as compared to the area of a man’s feet. So the pressure exerted by the camel on the sandy surface is very small as compared to the pressure exerted by the man. Therefore the feet of the camel do not sink much in the sand due to small pressure.
Q 44. Why is it easier to swim in seawater than ordinary river water?
Ans. The density of seawater is greater than the density of river water. Upthrust or buoyant force acting on a body is more in seawater.
Q 45. Why does a ship made of iron float on the water while a nail made of iron sink into water?
Ans. An iron nail sinks in water because the density of iron is greater than that of water. So the weight of the nail is more than the upthrust of water on it. On the other hand, a ship made of iron does not sink. This is because the ship is hollow and the empty space contains air which makes the average density of the ship less than that of water and hence it floats.
Q 46. Why does an object experience more buoyant force on the Earth than on the moon?
Ans. The buoyant force acting on a body depends on acceleration due to gravity. Acceleration due to gravity on the Earth is more than that on the moon.
Q 47. Why is it easy to lift a heavy stone underwater?
Ans. When a stone is placed in water, an upthrust or buoyant force acts on it due to which its apparent weight or net downward force on it decreases.
Q 48. Why are cutting and piercing tools made sharp?
Ans. To exert more pressure with the same force as pressure is inversely proportional to area. With increasing sharpness area decreases and hence pressure increases.
Q 49. A cube of side 20 cm have a mass of 16 kg. Find its relative density.
Ans. Given,
Side of cube, a = 20 cm = 0.2 m
Mass of cube, m = 16 kg
Q 50.What is the acceleration of free fall?
Ans. The acceleration of free fall is g = 9.8 m/s (on earth)