AIPMT PRELIMS2010Physics-Gravitation

AIPMT PRELIMS 2010 Physics Gravitational Potential MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Hard-Class 11

A particle of mass M is situated at the centre of a spherical shell of same mass and radius a. The gravitational potential at a point situated at a/2 distance from the centre, will be

A

-4GM/a

B

-3GM/a

C

-2GM/a

D

-GM/a

Correct Answer

Option B

Detailed Explanation

The gravitational potential inside a spherical shell is constant and equal to the potential at the surface. The potential due to the central mass at a/2 is -2GM/a, and the shell contributes -GM/a, giving a total of -3GM/a.

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