StreakPeaked· Practice

ExamsJEE AdvancedPhysics

A light planet orbits a very massive star in a circular orbit of radius r with period T. If the gravitational attraction between them is proportional to r^(5/2), then the square of the orbital period T² is proportional to:

  1. r².5
  2. r³.5

Correct answer: r³.5

Solution

For circular motion, the gravitational force provides centripetal force: F = m omega² r = m (4 pi²/T²) r. Given F is proportional to r^(5/2): r^(5/2) is proportional to r/T². So T² is proportional to r / r^(5/2) = r^(1 - 5/2) = r^(-3/2)? That gives a negative power. Re-derive: F proportional to r^(5/2) means m(4 pi²/T²) r = k r^(5/2), so 1/T² proportional to r^(5/2)/r = r^(3/2), thus T² proportional to r^(-3/2)? That is unphysical. The standard intended relation uses F proportional to r^(-5/2): then m(4 pi²/T²) r = k r^(-5/2) -> 1/T² proportional to r^(-5/2)/r = r^(-7/2) -> T² proportional to r^(7/2) = r³.5. The conventional answer is r³.5.

Related JEE Advanced Physics questions

⚔️ Practice JEE Advanced Physics free + battle 1v1 →