arthham

JEE Advanced 2012 · Gravitation

Two spherical planets PP and QQ have the same uniform density ρ\rho, masses MPM_P and MQM_Q and surface areas AA and 4A4A respectively. A spherical planet RR also has uniform density ρ\rho and its mass is (MP+MQ)(M_P+M_Q). The escape velocities from the planets PP, QQ and RR are VPV_P, VQV_Q and VRV_R, respectively. Then

Answers: B. VR>VQ>VPV_{R} > V_{Q} > V_{P} · D. VP/VQ=12V_{P}/V_{Q} = \frac{1}{2}

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Written solution

Step 1: Relate the radii of planets PP and QQ.

The surface area of a spherical planet is given by A=4πR2A = 4\pi R^2. Given that AP=AA_P = A and AQ=4AA_Q = 4A, we can find the ratio of their radii.

AQAP=4πRQ24πRP2=4\frac{A_Q}{A_P} = \frac{4\pi R_Q^2}{4\pi R_P^2} = 4 RQ=2RPR_Q = 2R_P

Step 2: Express escape velocity in terms of radius and density.

The escape velocity from a spherical planet of mass MM and radius RR is given by the formula:

vesc=2GMRv_{\text{esc}} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}

Since the planets have uniform density ρ\rho, the mass is related to the radius by:

M=43πR3ρM = \frac{4}{3}\pi R^3 \rho

Substituting the mass into the escape velocity formula yields:

vesc=2GR(43πR3ρ)v_{\text{esc}} = \sqrt{\frac{2G}{R} \left(\frac{4}{3}\pi R^3 \rho\right)} vesc=83πGρ Rv_{\text{esc}} = \sqrt{\frac{8}{3}\pi G \rho} \, R

For a constant density ρ\rho, the escape velocity is directly proportional to the radius:

vesc∝Rv_{\text{esc}} \propto R

Step 3: Find the ratio of escape velocities VPV_P and VQV_Q.

Using the proportionality relation V∝RV \propto R:

VPVQ=RPRQ\frac{V_P}{V_Q} = \frac{R_P}{R_Q} VPVQ=RP2RP=12\frac{V_P}{V_Q} = \frac{R_P}{2R_P} = \frac{1}{2}

Step 4: Determine the radius of planet RR.

The mass of planet RR is the sum of the masses of planets PP and QQ:

MR=MP+MQM_R = M_P + M_Q

Since M∝R3M \propto R^3 for constant density:

RR3=RP3+RQ3R_R^3 = R_P^3 + R_Q^3

Substitute RQ=2RPR_Q = 2R_P into the equation:

RR3=RP3+(2RP)3R_R^3 = R_P^3 + (2R_P)^3 RR3=9RP3R_R^3 = 9R_P^3 RR=91/3RP≈2.08RPR_R = 9^{1/3} R_P \approx 2.08 R_P

Step 5: Compare the escape velocities of the three planets.

Using the proportionality V∝RV \propto R, we express the escape velocities in terms of VPV_P:

VQ=2VPV_Q = 2V_P VR=91/3VP≈2.08VPV_R = 9^{1/3} V_P \approx 2.08 V_P

Comparing these values gives:

VR>VQ>VPV_R > V_Q > V_P

The ratio of VRV_R to VPV_P is:

VRVP=91/3≈2.08≠3\frac{V_R}{V_P} = 9^{1/3} \approx 2.08 \neq 3

Answer: The correct relations are VR>VQ>VPV_R > V_Q > V_P and VPVQ=12\dfrac{V_P}{V_Q} = \dfrac{1}{2}.

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