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⚛️ Physics  ·  Gravitation  ·  NEET & JEE

A planet has twice the radius of Earth but the same mean density. The surface gravity on the planet, compared with Earth g, is:

Answer: 2g.

  • A g/2
  • B 2g
  • C 4g
  • D g

Correct answer: B. 2g

Explanation: g = (4/3)πGρR, so g ∝ R at constant density; doubling R gives 2g.

Variation of g with Height and Depthgg_surfaceAbove surface: g ∝ 1/r² (falls off curving down)Below surface: g ∝ r (falls off LINEARLY)Earth's surface (r = R)centre (r=0): g=0g is MAXIMUM exactly at the surface - it decreases in both directions, but by different laws

g is maximum at Earth's surface; going up, it falls off as 1/r² (inverse-square); going down, it falls off linearly with depth (since only the mass enclosed within radius r contributes), reaching zero at the centre.

Concept context

Universal gravitation, orbital mechanics, gravitational potential, and escape velocity.

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