NEET Physics: gravitational potential energy Practice Questions
15 free multiple-choice questions on gravitational potential energy (Gravitation) for NEET Physics, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Attempt a question, then reveal the solution to check your reasoning.
Practice thousands more NEET questions in the app →Q1. Gravitational potential energy between two masses is fundamentally dependent on which of the following quantities?
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Correct answer: D — The gravitational constant G and the separation distance
Gravitational potential energy (U) is calculated using the formula U = -Gm₁m₂/r, where m₁ and m₂ are the masses and r is the separation distance. Therefore, it depends directly on the masses and the separation distance, scaled by the gravitational constant G.
Q2. If the mass of an object remains constant, how does its Gravitational Potential Energy change if it is moved from the ground to a higher point?
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Correct answer: B — It increases by mg
Since U = mgh, if h increases, the potential energy U increases proportionally. The change in potential energy is mgh₍new) - mghᵢₙᵢₜᵢₐₗ.
Q3. If the height of an object above the Earth's surface is doubled, and its mass remains constant, how does its gravitational potential energy change?
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Correct answer: D — it is doubled
The gravitational potential energy is given by U = mgh. If m and g are constant, potential energy U is directly proportional to height h. If h is doubled, U will also be doubled.
Q4. If the height of an object is doubled, its gravitational potential energy will be:
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Correct answer: D — Quadrupled
GPE is directly proportional to height (U ∝ h). If h is doubled, U will also be doubled.
Q5. If the height of a body in a gravitational field is doubled, its gravitational potential energy will be:
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Correct answer: C — Quadrupled
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is directly proportional to the height (PE = mgh). If h is doubled, PE is also doubled.
Q6. What is the definition of Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)?
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Correct answer: C — The energy possessed by an object due to its position in a gravitational field.
Gravitational Potential Energy is the energy stored by an object due to its position in a gravitational field.
Q7. The gravitational potential energy of an object is directly proportional to which of the following physical quantities?
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Correct answer: D — Acceleration due to gravity
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) is calculated using the formula U = mgh. Since m (mass) and h (height) are generally considered constants when considering a specific static state, the potential energy is directly proportional to g (acceleration due to gravity).
Q8. When the height of a particle in a gravitational field is doubled, how does its gravitational potential energy change?
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Correct answer: A — It is doubled
Since U = mgh, if h is doubled (h' = 2h), the new potential energy U' = mg(2h) = 2(mgh) = 2U. Thus, the potential energy is doubled.
Q9. A particle of mass m is held at a height h above the Earth's surface. If the height of the particle is doubled, the gravitational potential energy of the particle changes by:
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Correct answer: D — 2mgh
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) is given by the formula U = mgh. If the height h is doubled to 2h, the new potential energy U' = mg(2h) = 2(mgh). Therefore, the potential energy is doubled.
Q10. If the gravitational potential energy of a body is calculated, what physical quantity must be taken as the reference point (zero potential level)?
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Correct answer: D — The location where the body is placed
The gravitational potential energy is relative; zero potential energy is arbitrarily assigned at a chosen reference point. This point defines the zero potential level.
Q11. The gravitational potential energy (GPE) of a body is directly proportional to:
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Correct answer: D — The mass of the body
Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE) is calculated as U = mgh. Since m and g are constants for a given setup, GPE is directly proportional to the height (h).
Q12. When a body is moved from a lower position to a higher position, the gravitational potential energy of the body will:
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Correct answer: C — Increase
When moving to a higher position, h increases, and thus the potential energy U = mgh increases.
Q13. Gravitational potential energy is a form of:
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Correct answer: D — Mechanical energy
Gravitational Potential Energy is a form of stored energy associated with an object's position in a gravitational field. It is fundamentally a component of the total mechanical energy.
Q14. Which point is conventionally taken as the reference point (where GPE is zero) in gravitation problems?
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Correct answer: B — The ground level (or a chosen datum)
For gravitational potential energy calculations, a reference point (datum) must be chosen. Conventionally, the reference point where potential energy is taken as zero is set to the ground level.
Q15. Gravitational Potential Energy is dependent on which physical quantity?
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Correct answer: B — The mass of the object
The formula U = mgh shows that GPE depends on the mass (m), the acceleration due to gravity (g), and the height (h).
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