JEE MAIN - Physics (2023 - 25th January Morning Shift - No. 8)

Assume that the earth is a solid sphere of uniform density and a tunnel is dug along its diameter throughout the earth. It is found that when a particle is released in this tunnel, it executes a simple harmonic motion. The mass of the particle is 100 g. The time period of the motion of the particle will be (approximately)

(Take g = 10 m s$$^{-2}$$ , radius of earth = 6400 km)

12 hours
1 hour 24 minutes
24 hours
1 hour 40 minutes

Explanation

Gravitational acceleration at a distance of $r$ from centre of earth is given by

$$ g^{\prime}=\frac{g}{R} r $$

Where $R$ is the radius of earth

So, $\frac{d^{2} r}{d t^{2}}=-\frac{g}{R} r$

$\Rightarrow \quad T=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{R}{g}}=2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{6400000}{10}}$

$=2 \pi \times 800 \mathrm{sec}$

$=5024 ~ \mathrm{sec}$

= 1 hour 24 minutes (approx.)

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