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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
A tunnel is made across the earth of radius R, passing through its centre. A ball is dropped from a height h in the tunnel, height h is very small. The motion will be periodic with time period:
PhysicsOscillationsNEET
Options:
  • A 2πRg+4hg
  • B 2πRg+42hg
  • C 2πRg+hg
  • D 2πRg+2hg
Solution:
1570 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 2πRg+42hg


When the ball is in the tunnel at distance x from the centre of the earth, then gravitational force acting on ball is

F=Gmx2×43πx3ρ=G×43πρmx

Mass of the earth, M=43πR3ρ

or 43πρ=MR3

    F=GMmxR3  ie, Fx

As this F is directed towards the centre of earth ie, the mean position so the ball will execute periodic motion about the centre of earth

Here inertia factor=mass of ball=m

Spring factor=GMmR3=gmR

time period of oscillation of ball in the tunnel is

T'=2πinertia factorspring factor

=2πmgm/R

=2πRg
Time spent by ball outside the tunnel on both the sides will be = 4 2 h / g

Therefore, total time period of oscillation of ball is

=2πRg+42hg

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