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⚛️ Physics  ·  Gravitation  ·  NEET & JEE

Which force keeps the Moon in orbit around Earth?

Answer: Gravitational force.

  • A Centrifugal force
  • B Normal force
  • C Gravitational force
  • D Magnetic force

Correct answer: C. Gravitational force

Explanation: Earth's gravitational pull on the Moon provides the centripetal force to keep it in orbit.

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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