1. Who gave the universal law of gravitation?
a) Newton
b) Kepler
c) Galileo
d) Einstein
Answer: a
Explanation: Isaac Newton proposed the universal law of gravitation which states that every object attracts every other object in the universe.
2. Gravitation is always a ___ force.
a) Repulsive
b) Attractive
c) Neutral
d) Magnetic
Answer: b
Explanation: Gravitational force always attracts two masses towards each other.
3. Which force is responsible for keeping the Earth in orbit around the Sun?
a) Magnetic force
b) Electric force
c) Gravitational force
d) Centrifugal force
Answer: c
Explanation: The gravitational pull of the Sun keeps the Earth in its orbit.
4. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Earth is approximately ___ m/s².
a) 8.9
b) 9.8
c) 10.8
d) 12.5
Answer: b
Explanation: On Earth, the average acceleration due to gravity is about 9.8 m/s².
5. What happens to gravitational force when the distance between two objects increases?
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It remains constant
d) It becomes repulsive
Answer: b
Explanation: Gravitational force decreases when distance increases.
6. The Earth attracts the Moon due to ___.
a) Magnetic force
b) Gravitational force
c) Centripetal force
d) Centrifugal force
Answer: b
Explanation: The gravitational attraction between Earth and Moon keeps the Moon in orbit.
7. The force that keeps planets in orbit around the Sun is called ___.
a) Magnetic force
b) Electrostatic force
c) Gravitational force
d) Nuclear force
Answer: c
Explanation: The Sun’s gravity provides the centripetal force for the planetary orbits.
8. The weight of a body is maximum at the ___.
a) Equator
b) Poles
c) Center of Earth
d) Tropics
Answer: b
Explanation: Gravity is slightly stronger at the poles due to the Earth’s shape.
9. Weight of an object is ___.
a) Same everywhere
b) Force with which Earth attracts it
c) Constant for all planets
d) Its resistance to motion
Answer: b
Explanation: Weight is the gravitational pull of Earth on the object.
10. Which of the following does not affect the gravitational force between two bodies?
a) Mass of the bodies
b) Distance between them
c) Medium between them
d) None of these
Answer: c
Explanation: Gravitational force is independent of the medium between the objects.
11. The path of planets around the Sun is ___.
a) Circular
b) Elliptical
c) Parabolic
d) Irregular
Answer: b
Explanation: According to Kepler, planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.
12. Who formulated the three laws of planetary motion?
a) Kepler
b) Newton
c) Copernicus
d) Galileo
Answer: a
Explanation: Johannes Kepler discovered the three laws governing planetary motion.
13. The force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth is called ___.
a) Magnetism
b) Friction
c) Gravity
d) Pressure
Answer: c
Explanation: Gravity is the attractive force exerted by Earth on all objects.
14. The value of gravity on the Moon is about __ fraction of that on Earth.
a) One-third
b) One-fourth
c) One-sixth
d) One-half
Answer: c
Explanation: The Moon’s gravitational acceleration is about one-sixth that of Earth’s.
15. The Earth’s gravity is weakest at the ___.
a) Poles
b) Equator
c) Center
d) Tropic of Cancer
Answer: b
Explanation: Due to Earth’s rotation and bulge at the equator, gravity is slightly weaker there.
16. A body weighs less at the equator than at the poles because of ___.
a) Earth’s magnetic field
b) Earth’s rotation
c) Difference in temperature
d) Difference in altitude
Answer: b
Explanation: The centrifugal force due to rotation reduces the effective gravity at the equator.
17. The gravitational force acts between ___.
a) Two masses
b) Two charges
c) Two magnets
d) A mass and a charge
Answer: a
Explanation: Gravitation is a force of attraction between any two masses.
18. Gravitational force between two bodies depends directly on ___.
a) Their distance
b) Their masses
c) Their volumes
d) Their shapes
Answer: b
Explanation: The force increases with the product of their masses.
19. The weight of an astronaut in space is ___.
a) Zero
b) Half
c) Equal to Earth
d) Double
Answer: a
Explanation: In orbit, astronauts experience weightlessness due to free fall.
20. The gravitational pull of Earth is strongest at the ___.
a) Surface
b) Center
c) Poles
d) Equator
Answer: c
Explanation: Gravity is slightly stronger at the poles because of Earth’s flattened shape.
21. The cause of tides in oceans is mainly ___.
a) Wind pressure
b) Moon’s gravity
c) Earth’s rotation
d) Sunlight
Answer: b
Explanation: The Moon’s gravitational pull causes periodic rise and fall in sea levels.
22. Gravitational force is the weakest of all ___.
a) Natural forces
b) Nuclear forces
c) Electromagnetic forces
d) Mechanical forces
Answer: a
Explanation: Gravitation is the weakest among the fundamental forces in nature.
23. A person will weigh more on which planet?
a) Earth
b) Mars
c) Jupiter
d) Moon
Answer: c
Explanation: Jupiter’s gravity is much stronger due to its large mass.
24. The tendency of a body to resist change in motion is called ___.
a) Gravity
b) Inertia
c) Friction
d) Momentum
Answer: b
Explanation: Inertia is related to mass, which also affects gravitational attraction.
25. The body that has the strongest gravity in our solar system is ___.
a) Earth
b) Jupiter
c) Sun
d) Saturn
Answer: c
Explanation: The Sun, being the most massive, has the strongest gravitational field.
26. Which scientist discovered the law of universal gravitation?
a) Kepler
b) Galileo
c) Newton
d) Copernicus
Answer: c) Newton
Explanation: Sir Isaac Newton proposed the law of universal gravitation explaining that every object attracts every other object in the universe.
27. The force of gravity acts between
a) Earth and the Moon only
b) Any two masses
c) Only planets and the Sun
d) Electrically charged bodies
Answer: b) Any two masses
Explanation: Gravitational force is a universal force that acts between all objects having mass.
28. Which of the following is the weakest force in nature?
a) Strong nuclear force
b) Weak nuclear force
c) Electromagnetic force
d) Gravitational force
Answer: d) Gravitational force
Explanation: Gravitational force is the weakest among all fundamental forces of nature.
29. The acceleration due to gravity is least at
a) Poles
b) Equator
c) Center of the Earth
d) Surface of the Moon
Answer: b) Equator
Explanation: Due to Earth’s rotation and its equatorial bulge, gravity is slightly less at the equator than at the poles.
30. The acceleration due to gravity is maximum at
a) Equator
b) Poles
c) Tropic of Cancer
d) Tropic of Capricorn
Answer: b) Poles
Explanation: Gravity is strongest at the poles because of the Earth’s flattened shape and smaller radius there.
31. The value of gravity decreases as we
a) Move towards poles
b) Move upwards from Earth’s surface
c) Move towards the center
d) Move towards equator
Answer: b) Move upwards from Earth’s surface
Explanation: Gravitational attraction decreases with increase in altitude.
32. The gravitational force between two objects depends on
a) Their masses and distance between them
b) Only their masses
c) Only the distance between them
d) Their volumes
Answer: a) Their masses and distance between them
Explanation: Force of gravitation increases with mass and decreases with distance.
33. The Earth attracts objects towards its center because of
a) Magnetic force
b) Gravitational force
c) Electrostatic force
d) Frictional force
Answer: b) Gravitational force
Explanation: Gravitational pull of the Earth acts towards its center.
34. The gravitational force is always
a) Attractive
b) Repulsive
c) Both
d) Zero
Answer: a) Attractive
Explanation: Gravity always attracts objects towards each other.
35. The motion of the Moon around the Earth is due to
a) Centripetal force provided by gravity
b) Centrifugal force
c) Magnetic force
d) Electrostatic force
Answer: a) Centripetal force provided by gravity
Explanation: Earth’s gravity provides the centripetal force keeping the Moon in orbit.
36. Weight of an object is
a) Same everywhere
b) Depends on location
c) Always constant
d) Independent of gravity
Answer: b) Depends on location
Explanation: Weight changes with gravitational acceleration, which varies with altitude and latitude.
37. The gravitational force on the Moon’s surface is
a) Same as Earth
b) About one-sixth of Earth’s
c) Twice that of Earth
d) Negligible
Answer: b) About one-sixth of Earth’s
Explanation: The Moon’s smaller mass and radius cause weaker gravitational pull.
38. If mass of an object increases, gravitational attraction
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains same
d) Becomes zero
Answer: a) Increases
Explanation: Gravity is directly proportional to mass.
39. When distance between two objects doubles, gravitational force
a) Becomes one-fourth
b) Becomes half
c) Becomes double
d) Remains same
Answer: a) Becomes one-fourth
Explanation: Force decreases rapidly with increasing distance.
40. The planets remain in their orbits due to
a) Magnetic forces
b) Gravitational attraction of the Sun
c) Electric attraction
d) Air pressure
Answer: b) Gravitational attraction of the Sun
Explanation: Sun’s gravity keeps planets in their orbits.
41. The weight of an astronaut in space is
a) Same as on Earth
b) More than on Earth
c) Zero
d) Half of Earth weight
Answer: c) Zero
Explanation: In orbit, astronauts experience weightlessness due to free fall around Earth.
42. Weightlessness is experienced when
a) There is no gravity
b) Only gravity acts
c) Gravitational pull is balanced by motion
d) Gravity increases
Answer: c) Gravitational pull is balanced by motion
Explanation: In free fall, both body and object fall together, causing weightlessness.
43. The force that keeps satellites in orbit is
a) Gravitational
b) Magnetic
c) Centrifugal
d) Electrical
Answer: a) Gravitational
Explanation: Satellites orbit due to the Earth’s gravitational pull providing centripetal force.
44. The gravitational pull of the Earth is responsible for
a) Ocean tides
b) Winds
c) Sunlight
d) Earthquakes
Answer: a) Ocean tides
Explanation: Tides are mainly due to gravitational attraction of the Moon and Sun.
45. The Sun’s gravity acts on
a) Only Earth
b) All planets
c) Only big planets
d) None
Answer: b) All planets
Explanation: The Sun’s gravity holds all planets in their respective orbits.
46. Gravity causes objects to
a) Float
b) Fall towards the Earth
c) Stay at rest
d) Move sideways
Answer: b) Fall towards the Earth
Explanation: Gravity pulls all objects toward the Earth’s center.
47. Gravitational force is directly proportional to
a) Mass of objects
b) Square of distance
c) Area
d) Volume
Answer: a) Mass of objects
Explanation: Larger masses exert greater gravitational pull.
48. When you go to the Moon, your
a) Mass increases
b) Weight decreases
c) Weight increases
d) Mass decreases
Answer: b) Weight decreases
Explanation: Gravity is weaker on the Moon, so weight decreases though mass remains constant.
49. The shape of Earth is
a) Perfect sphere
b) Oblate spheroid
c) Flat disk
d) Elliptical
Answer: b) Oblate spheroid
Explanation: Due to rotation, Earth is slightly flattened at poles and bulged at equator.
50. Gravitational force between two objects is
a) Mutual
b) One-sided
c) Zero
d) Negligible
Answer: a) Mutual
Explanation: Both objects attract each other with equal force in opposite directions.
51. The gravity of Earth is due to its
a) Rotation
b) Magnetic field
c) Mass
d) Atmosphere
Answer: c) Mass
Explanation: The mass of Earth causes it to exert gravitational pull.
52. The unit of weight is same as that of
a) Mass
b) Force
c) Pressure
d) Energy
Answer: b) Force
Explanation: Weight is a force, measured in newtons.
53. Gravity affects
a) Only heavy objects
b) All objects equally
c) Only gaseous bodies
d) Only light objects
Answer: b) All objects equally
Explanation: Gravity acts on all masses regardless of composition.
54. The Earth’s gravity helps in
a) Maintaining atmosphere
b) Causing rainfall
c) Reflecting sunlight
d) Reducing temperature
Answer: a) Maintaining atmosphere
Explanation: Gravity holds atmospheric gases around the Earth.
55. The orbital motion of a satellite depends on
a) Gravitational pull
b) Air resistance
c) Temperature
d) Sunlight
Answer: a) Gravitational pull
Explanation: Gravity provides the centripetal force needed for orbit.
56. If there were no gravity,
a) We would fly off the Earth
b) We would become heavier
c) Oceans would rise
d) Sun would expand
Answer: a) We would fly off the Earth
Explanation: Gravity keeps everything anchored to Earth.
57. The gravitational pull between two objects decreases when
a) Distance increases
b) Distance decreases
c) Mass increases
d) Both are equal
Answer: a) Distance increases
Explanation: Force weakens as distance between objects increases.
58. What causes the Moon to move around the Earth?
a) Gravitational attraction
b) Air pressure
c) Solar radiation
d) Rotation of Earth
Answer: a) Gravitational attraction
Explanation: Earth’s gravity pulls the Moon, keeping it in orbit.
59. On the Moon, a ball thrown upward returns slowly because
a) Gravity is weaker
b) Air resistance is high
c) No air pressure
d) It is farther from Earth
Answer: a) Gravity is weaker
Explanation: The Moon’s low gravity reduces acceleration on falling objects.
60. The weight of an object is maximum at
a) Poles
b) Equator
c) Moon
d) Center of Earth
Answer: a) Poles
Explanation: Gravity is strongest at poles due to smaller radius.
61. The gravitational pull of the Earth is directed
a) Outward from the surface
b) Tangential to the surface
c) Toward the center of the Earth
d) Parallel to the surface
Answer: c) Toward the center of the Earth
Explanation: Gravity always acts toward the Earth’s center.
62. The cause of the falling of an apple from a tree is
a) Magnetic force
b) Gravitational force
c) Frictional force
d) Electric force
Answer: b) Gravitational force
Explanation: Newton’s observation of a falling apple led to the discovery of gravitation.
63. The gravitational attraction between two objects depends on
a) Their charges
b) Their masses and distance
c) Their speeds
d) Their temperature
Answer: b) Their masses and distance
Explanation: Heavier masses attract more strongly, and the attraction decreases with distance.
64. The Moon does not fall on the Earth because
a) No gravity acts in space
b) It is moving in orbit
c) The Earth repels it
d) The Moon is weightless
Answer: b) It is moving in orbit
Explanation: The Moon’s velocity balances Earth’s gravity, keeping it in orbit.
65. Gravity acts over
a) Short range
b) Medium range
c) Infinite range
d) Limited range
Answer: c) Infinite range
Explanation: Gravitational force acts between any two masses, no matter how far apart.
66. The force which keeps the planets revolving around the Sun is
a) Centrifugal force
b) Gravitational force
c) Magnetic force
d) Nuclear force
Answer: b) Gravitational force
Explanation: Sun’s gravity provides the necessary centripetal force for revolution.
67. The term “weightless” means
a) No gravity
b) No contact with ground
c) No sensation of weight
d) No mass
Answer: c) No sensation of weight
Explanation: In free fall, both object and person accelerate equally, feeling weightless.
68. The gravitational pull of Earth on Moon is
a) Equal to Moon’s pull on Earth
b) Greater than Moon’s pull
c) Lesser than Moon’s pull
d) Zero
Answer: a) Equal to Moon’s pull on Earth
Explanation: According to Newton’s third law, both bodies attract each other equally.
69. Tides in the oceans are primarily caused by
a) Earth’s rotation
b) Moon’s gravity
c) Sun’s radiation
d) Wind pressure
Answer: b) Moon’s gravity
Explanation: The Moon’s gravitational pull causes periodic rise and fall in sea levels.
70. The value of gravity on Earth varies slightly because
a) Earth is not a perfect sphere
b) Earth is hollow
c) Oceans affect it
d) It changes daily
Answer: a) Earth is not a perfect sphere
Explanation: Due to its oblate shape, gravity is stronger at poles and weaker at equator.
71. A man feels his weight less in an elevator when
a) It moves upward
b) It moves downward
c) It stops
d) It moves uniformly
Answer: b) It moves downward
Explanation: In downward motion, the normal force decreases, making the person feel lighter.
72. The gravitational force is
a) Attractive only
b) Repulsive only
c) Both
d) Zero
Answer: a) Attractive only
Explanation: Gravity always pulls objects together.
73. The center of mass of the Earth is also the
a) North Pole
b) Center of gravity
c) Equator
d) South Pole
Answer: b) Center of gravity
Explanation: The center of gravity and center of mass coincide for symmetrical bodies like Earth.
74. Gravity helps in
a) Formation of stars and planets
b) Dissolving gases
c) Creating heat
d) Destroying galaxies
Answer: a) Formation of stars and planets
Explanation: Gravity pulls matter together during the formation of celestial bodies.
75. The Sun’s gravity is responsible for
a) Earth’s day and night
b) Revolution of planets
c) Ocean tides
d) Earth’s rotation
Answer: b) Revolution of planets
Explanation: The Sun’s massive gravity keeps all planets in orbit.
76. Which one of the following does not experience gravity?
a) Light
b) Air
c) Water
d) Rock
Answer: a) Light
Explanation: Light has no mass but can be bent by gravity, not pulled directly like matter.
77. The gravitational pull of the Sun is strongest because
a) It is hot
b) It has huge mass
c) It rotates fast
d) It emits light
Answer: b) It has huge mass
Explanation: The Sun’s enormous mass creates a powerful gravitational field.
78. If there were no Moon,
a) Tides would be very small
b) Earth would stop rotating
c) Year length would change
d) Earth’s orbit would shrink
Answer: a) Tides would be very small
Explanation: The Moon’s gravitational pull is the main cause of tides on Earth.
79. Gravitational attraction is responsible for
a) Keeping planets in orbit
b) Flow of electric current
c) Photosynthesis
d) Sound propagation
Answer: a) Keeping planets in orbit
Explanation: It acts as the binding force of the solar system.
80. The direction of gravitational force is always
a) Upward
b) Downward toward Earth’s center
c) Horizontal
d) Random
Answer: b) Downward toward Earth’s center
Explanation: Gravity pulls objects toward Earth’s core.
81. The weight of a body becomes zero at
a) The center of the Earth
b) The equator
c) The poles
d) The Moon
Answer: a) The center of the Earth
Explanation: All gravitational forces balance out at the center, making weight zero.
82. The rotation of Earth affects
a) Gravitational acceleration
b) Mass
c) Time of day only
d) Shape only
Answer: a) Gravitational acceleration
Explanation: Rotation slightly reduces effective gravity due to centrifugal effects.
83. Weight of an object is
a) Scalar quantity
b) Vector quantity
c) Both
d) None
Answer: b) Vector quantity
Explanation: Weight has both magnitude and direction (toward Earth’s center).
84. Gravity helps in the
a) Circulation of blood
b) Growth of plants
c) Flow of rivers toward sea
d) Formation of clouds
Answer: c) Flow of rivers toward sea
Explanation: Gravity causes water to flow from higher to lower levels.
85. Astronauts orbiting Earth are in
a) Zero gravity
b) Continuous free fall
c) No motion
d) Magnetic field
Answer: b) Continuous free fall
Explanation: They fall around Earth, creating a sensation of weightlessness.
86. The gravitational force between Earth and Sun keeps
a) Earth stationary
b) Earth in orbit
c) Sun stationary
d) Moon revolving
Answer: b) Earth in orbit
Explanation: Sun’s gravity provides the force that maintains Earth’s revolution.
87. Gravitational force depends on
a) Product of masses
b) Sum of masses
c) Difference of masses
d) Volume
Answer: a) Product of masses
Explanation: Larger the masses, stronger the gravitational pull.
88. When you move from pole to equator, your weight
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains constant
d) Becomes zero
Answer: b) Decreases
Explanation: Effective gravity is less at equator due to Earth’s rotation.
89. The motion of satellites is an example of
a) Free fall
b) Projectile motion
c) Uniform motion
d) Rotational motion
Answer: a) Free fall
Explanation: Satellites continuously fall toward Earth but never reach it due to forward speed.
90. The Moon keeps the same face toward Earth because
a) It doesn’t rotate
b) Its rotation equals its revolution time
c) It’s fixed in space
d) Gravity is absent
Answer: b) Its rotation equals its revolution time
Explanation: Synchronous rotation causes the same side to face Earth.
91. The force which binds the Earth’s atmosphere is
a) Gravity
b) Pressure
c) Friction
d) Magnetic field
Answer: a) Gravity
Explanation: Gravity holds gases around the planet.
92. Weight is a measure of
a) Mass
b) Gravitational force on a body
c) Density
d) Pressure
Answer: b) Gravitational force on a body
Explanation: Weight is the force with which Earth attracts a body.
93. Gravity on Earth is stronger than on the Moon because
a) Earth’s mass is greater
b) Earth’s radius is smaller
c) Earth rotates faster
d) Earth is denser
Answer: a) Earth’s mass is greater
Explanation: Greater mass means stronger gravitational field.
94. The universal law of gravitation explains
a) Only planetary motion
b) Attraction between any two masses
c) Only Earth’s gravity
d) Magnetic behavior
Answer: b) Attraction between any two masses
Explanation: It applies to all objects in the universe.
95. The fall of rain drops to Earth is due to
a) Wind pressure
b) Gravity
c) Air friction
d) Condensation
Answer: b) Gravity
Explanation: Gravity pulls the water droplets downward.
96. Gravitational pull between two small objects is
a) Negligible
b) Large
c) Same as electric force
d) Very strong
Answer: a) Negligible
Explanation: Because their masses are small, gravitational attraction is extremely weak.
97. A ball thrown upward comes down because
a) Air pushes it
b) Gravity pulls it
c) Earth repels it
d) It loses mass
Answer: b) Gravity pulls it
Explanation: The ball slows, stops, and falls back under gravitational attraction.
98. The planets move around the Sun in
a) Straight lines
b) Circular or elliptical orbits
c) Random paths
d) Zigzag motion
Answer: b) Circular or elliptical orbits
Explanation: The balance between gravity and motion results in elliptical orbits.
99. Gravity on the surface of Mars is
a) Greater than Earth
b) Less than Earth
c) Equal to Earth
d) Zero
Answer: b) Less than Earth
Explanation: Mars has smaller mass, so its gravity is weaker.
100. The importance of gravity in daily life is that it
a) Keeps us on the ground
b) Stops rotation
c) Creates heat
d) Causes lightning
Answer: a) Keeps us on the ground
Explanation: Gravity holds everything on Earth’s surface and gives us a sense of weight.