$A$ particle of mass $M$ is situated at the centre of a spherical shell of same mass $M$ and radius $a$. The gravitational potential at a point situated at a distance of $\frac{a}{2}$ from the centre will be:

For a satellite to orbit around the earth,which of the following must be true?

Three point masses,each of mass $m$,are kept at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side $L$. The system rotates about the center of the triangle without any change in the separation of masses during rotation. The period of rotation is directly proportional to

Answer the following:
$(a)$ You can shield a charge from electrical forces by putting it inside a hollow conductor. Can you shield a body from the gravitational influence of nearby matter by putting it inside a hollow sphere or by some other means?
$(b)$ An astronaut inside a small space ship orbiting around the earth cannot detect gravity. If the space station orbiting around the earth has a large size,can he hope to detect gravity?
$(c)$ If you compare the gravitational force on the earth due to the sun to that due to the moon,you would find that the Sun's pull is greater than the moon's pull. However,the tidal effect of the moon's pull is greater than the tidal effect of the sun. Why?

$Assertion$ : The Earth is slowing down and as a result the Moon is coming nearer to it.
$Reason$ : The angular momentum of the Earth-Moon system is not conserved.

Particles of masses $m, 2m, 3m$ and $4m$ are placed at the corners of a square of side $a$. What is the net gravitational force on a particle of mass $m$ placed at the center?