Class 11 Physics Gravitation Notes – Key Formulas, Laws & Concepts for JEE & NEET
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When we talk about gravitation or gravity, it is a naturally occurring phenomenon or a force that exists among all material objects in the universe. Why does the ball that is thrown upwards eventually fall on the ground? Or why does the apple falls from the tree, why doesn’t it go up? The answer to this is gravitation. So, here are the Class 11 Physics Gravitation Notes for IIT JEE, NEET & Board Exam Preparation.
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
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India's Best Exam Preparation for Class 11th - Download Now
eSaral brings you detailed Class 11th Physics study material. eSaral provides a series of detailed chapter-wise notes for all the Subjects of classes 11th and 12th. These notes will also help you in your IIT JEE & NEET preparations. We hope these Physics Notes for Class 11 will help you understand the important topics and remember the key points from an exam point of view. Get Complete Physics Notes for Physics Class 11 for easy learning and understanding. For free video lectures and complete study material, download the eSaral APP. About eSaral: At eSaral, we are offering a complete platform for IIT-JEE & NEET preparation. The main mission behind eSaral is to provide education to every student in India by eliminating the Geographic and Economic factors, as a nation’s progress and development depend on the availability of quality education to everyone. With the blend of education & technology, the eSaral team made the learning personalized & adaptive for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions.
Why is the total energy of a satellite always negative?
A satellite in orbit has negative total mechanical energy because it is a bound system — it cannot escape Earth's gravity without additional energy input. The total energy E = –GMm/2r, which is negative. This is analogous to an electron bound in an atom. A positive total energy would mean the object has escaped the gravitational field.
What is the difference between escape velocity and orbital velocity?
Orbital velocity (≈7.9 km/s at Earth's surface) is the speed needed to stay in a stable circular orbit around Earth — the object remains gravitationally bound. Escape velocity (≈11.2 km/s) is the minimum speed needed to completely leave Earth's gravitational field. Escape velocity is always √2 times the orbital velocity at the same radius.
How many questions come from Gravitation in NEET?
NEET typically includes 1–2 questions from Gravitation. The most frequently tested concepts are Kepler's laws (especially the third law), escape velocity, acceleration due to gravity, and geostationary satellites. NEET questions are generally concept-based and directly formula-driven, making this a scoring chapter with focused preparation.
What are the most important topics in Class 11 Gravitation for JEE Main?
The highest-yield topics for JEE Main are escape velocity, orbital velocity, variation of g with height and depth, gravitational potential energy, and Kepler's Third Law. Questions on satellite energy (KE, PE, total energy) appear almost every year. Focus on formula-based and concept application questions rather than derivations for JEE Main.
What is a geostationary satellite and why does it appear stationary?
A geostationary satellite orbits Earth in the equatorial plane at approximately 36,000 km altitude with a time period of exactly 24 hours — the same as Earth's rotation period. Because it moves in sync with Earth's rotation, it appears fixed in the sky when viewed from the ground. This makes it ideal for communication, broadcasting, and weather observation.
Does acceleration due to gravity change with depth?
Yes, g decreases as you go deeper below Earth's surface. At depth d, g_d = g(1 – d/R_E). At Earth's centre (d = R_E), g becomes zero. This is because the mass of Earth below you decreases as you go deeper, reducing the gravitational pull. Note that g also decreases as you move above Earth's surface.