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NEET Physics: gravitational potential Practice Questions

15 free multiple-choice questions on gravitational potential (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.

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  1. Q1. Gravitational potential is a scalar quantity. What does this imply?

    • AIt is a vector quantity
    • BIt has magnitude only
    • CIt is a tensor quantity
    • DIt has direction and magnitude
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — It has magnitude only

    Potential, being a measure of energy per unit mass, depends only on magnitude and does not have a directional component.

  2. Q2. When a system of masses is configured such that the total gravitational potential energy is minimized, what is the general arrangement?

    • AAll masses are placed at the same location
    • BThe masses must be infinitely far apart
    • CThe masses are configured to minimize the potential energy by keeping them close together
    • DThe masses are maximally separated
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — The masses are configured to minimize the potential energy by keeping them close together

    Gravitational potential energy is negative when masses are closer (bound system). To minimize the potential energy (make it most negative), masses should be kept as close as possible.

  3. Q3. Consider a system where the gravitational potential is proportional to the inverse of the distance. If the distance between two masses is doubled, how does the gravitational potential between them change?

    • AIt is quadrupled
    • BIt is halved
    • CIt remains the same
    • DIt is doubled
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — It is halved

    Since potential is inversely proportional to distance (V ∝ 1/r), if the distance (r) is doubled (2r), the new potential will be V' ∝ 1/(2r) = (1/2)V. Thus, the potential is halved.

  4. Q4. The gravitational potential between two point masses m₁ and m₂ separated by a distance r is inversely proportional to:

    • Athe distance between the masses
    • Bthe sum of the masses
    • Cthe product of the masses
    • Dthe square of the distance
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — the distance between the masses

    The gravitational potential (V) between two masses is inversely proportional to the distance (r) separating them, i.e., V ∝ 1/r.

  5. Q5. Gravitational potential energy is defined in terms of the work done against the gravitational force when an object is moved from an initial point to a final point. This energy is always:

    • AZero
    • BInfinite
    • CNegative
    • DPositive
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: D — Positive

    Gravitational potential energy is defined as the negative of the work done by gravity. Since gravity is an attractive force, moving an object closer to the source (decreasing potential) means work is done by the field, resulting in a positive change in potential energy relative to a reference point, or negative change in potential if moving away. However, the potential energy itself is related to the work done by the external agent to move the mass against the field. For a system where potential is defined relative to infinity, the potential energy is negative. In standard conventions where potential at infinity is zero, potential energy is negative.

  6. Q6. If two points are on the same equipotential surface, the difference in gravitational potential between them is:

    • ADependent on the masses involved
    • BEqual to the gravitational force
    • CZero
    • DNon-zero
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — Zero

    By definition, points on the same equipotential surface have the same gravitational potential; hence, the difference is zero.

  7. Q7. Gravitational potential is defined as the work done in bringing a unit mass from infinity to a point in the gravitational field. What is the physical nature of gravitational potential?

    • AA tensor quantity
    • BA scalar quantity
    • CA unitless quantity
    • DA vector quantity
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — A scalar quantity

    Gravitational potential is a measure of the work done per unit mass, which depends only on the position and is not a vector, making it a scalar quantity.

  8. Q8. Gravitational potential is defined as:

    • AThe total gravitational force
    • BPotential energy per unit mass
    • CForce per unit mass
    • DWork done against gravity per unit mass
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — Potential energy per unit mass

    Gravitational potential is defined as the work done per unit mass when moving a mass from infinity to a specific point in a gravitational field.

  9. Q9. Two points A and B are separated by a distance r. If the gravitational potential at point A is V_A and at point B is V_B, the difference in potential (ΔV = V_B - V_A) is related to the work done (W) in moving a unit mass between A and B by which equation?

    • AW = m ΔV
    • BW = m/ΔV
    • CΔV = W/m
    • DΔV = W · m
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — W = m ΔV

    The change in potential (ΔV) is defined as the work done (W) per unit mass (m), hence ΔV = W/m, or W = m ΔV when considering the change in potential for a mass m.

  10. Q10. The relationship between gravitational potential (V) and gravitational field intensity (E) is given by E = -∇ V. What does the negative sign signify in this relationship?

    • AThe field is conservative
    • BThe potential energy is positive
    • CThe field is static
    • DThe force is directed towards lower potential
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: D — The force is directed towards lower potential

    The negative sign indicates that the force is always directed in the direction of decreasing potential (down the potential gradient), which corresponds to the direction of the gravitational force (towards the center of mass).

  11. Q11. Gravitational potential is defined based on the work done in moving a mass between two points. What is the SI unit of gravitational potential?

    • AJoule per kilogram
    • BWatt
    • CJoules
    • DNewton
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — Joule per kilogram

    Gravitational potential is defined as potential energy per unit mass, and since potential energy is energy, the unit is Joules per kilogram (J/kg).

  12. Q12. The concept of gravitational potential is fundamentally related to the work done against gravity. This work is related to the change in:

    • AKinetic energy
    • BMagnetic Potential
    • CGravitational Potential Energy
    • DMomentum
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — Gravitational Potential Energy

    Gravitational potential is the potential energy per unit mass. The work done against gravity changes the gravitational potential energy of the system.

  13. Q13. Gravitational potential energy is defined as the work done done in moving a mass from infinity to a certain point in a gravitational field. This potential energy is:

    • Adimensionless
    • Ba scalar quantity
    • Ca vector quantity
    • Da force quantity
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — a scalar quantity

    Gravitational potential energy is a form of energy and is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude but no direction.

  14. Q14. The gravitational potential energy stored in a system depends on which of the following factors?

    • ADistance between the objects
    • BMass of the objects involved
    • CSpeed of the objects
    • DAcceleration due to gravity
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — Distance between the objects

    Gravitational potential energy (U) is fundamentally dependent on the masses of the objects and the distance separating them. The formula is U = - GMm/r, showing dependence on mass and distance.

  15. Q15. Which of the following statements correctly describes the nature of gravitational potential?

    • AIt is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
    • BIt is proportional to the mass of the object
    • CIt is a scalar quantity
    • DIt is a vector quantity
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — It is a scalar quantity

    Gravitational potential is a potential energy concept, and potential energy is a scalar quantity, depending only on position.

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