Gravitation Question 339
Question: A uniform spherical shell gradually shrinks maintaining its shape. The gravitational potential at the centre
Options:
A) Increases
B) decreases
C) remains constant
D) cannot say
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
- The gravitational potential at the centre of uniform spherical shell is equal to the gravitational potential at the surface of shell i.e.,
$ [V =\frac{-GM}{a}] $ , where a is radius of spherical shell
Now, if the shell shrinks then its radius decrease then density increases, but mass is constant, so from above expression if a decreases, then V increases.