CBSE Notes Class 9 Science Chapter 9 Gravitation

Gravitation is the invisible force that pulls objects toward each other. It is the reason why we stay firmly on the Earth, why the Moon revolves around our planet, and why planets move around the Sun. From a falling apple to the motion of celestial bodies, gravitation plays a vital role in our everyday life and in the structure of the universe.

These CBSE Notes Class 9 Science Chapter 9 – Gravitation are designed to explain the complete chapter in a simple, clear, and exam-focused manner. In this chapter, you will learn about the universal law of gravitation, mass and weight, free fall, thrust and pressure, buoyancy, Archimedes’ principle, and relative density. Our well-structured gravitation class 9 notes cover all key formulas, definitions, important derivations, and numericals aligned with the latest CBSE syllabus. These concise and concept-based class 9 gravitation notes help build a strong foundation for board exams and competitive exams while making complex ideas easy to understand.

1.0Download CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 9 Gravitation Notes: Free PDF

Grasp the core concepts of Gravitation with our free, easy-to-download CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 9 Notes PDF. These notes are designed to simplify learning and help students understand one of the most fundamental topics in Physics.

2.0Gravitation and Gravity

Gravitation-It is the force of attraction that exists between any two objects in the universe.

Gravity specifically refers to the force of attraction between Earth and other material objects. While gravitation is a universal concept, gravity is the localized effect of Earth's gravitational pull.

Also Read: 2026 Class 10 Solved Question Papers

3.0Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation

Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation states that:

• Gravitational force(F) is directly equitable to the product of the masses of two objects (m1 and m2).
• It is inversely equitable to the square of the distance r between their centers.
• The formula for this law is $F=\frac{G{m}_1{m}_2}{r^2}$  where G is the Universal Gravitational Constant, approximately $6.673\times 10^{-11}N{m}^{2}K{g}^{-2}$
• This constant represents the force between two 1 kg masses separated by 1 meter.

4.0Characteristics of Gravitational Force

1. Universal Attraction: It acts between all objects with mass.
2. Line of Action: It acts along the line joining the centers of the masses.
3. Newton’s Third Law: The force is equal and opposite on both objects.
4. Inverse Square Law: The force decreases as the distance between objects increases.
5. Dependence on Mass: The force increases with greater mass.
6. Long Range: It has an effect over long distances.

5.0Importance of The Universal Law of Gravitation

• Anchors to Earth: It keeps us grounded on Earth.
• Planetary Orbits: Explains why planets orbit the Sun.
• Tides: Accounts for tides caused by the Moon and Sun.

6.0Free Fall(Motion Under Gravity) 

Free fall alludes to the motion of an object subjected only to the force of gravity. This occurs when an object drops from rest, or is thrown downward or upward. The equations of motion under gravity are:

• $v=u+at$
• $s=ut+\frac{1}{2}a{t}^2$
• $v^2=u^2+2as$

Where u is the initial velocity, v is the final velocity, aaa is acceleration (equal to g for free fall), s is displacement, and t is time.

7.0Acceleration Due To Gravity(g)

• It is the rate at which an object accelerates when in free fall due to Earth's gravitational pull. On Earth’s surface, this acceleration g is approximately $9.8\frac{m}{s^2}$
• $g=\frac{GM}{R^2}$
• Where G is the Universal Gravitational Constant, M is the mass of Earth, R is the radius of Earth.
• For Earth g=9.8m/s2

8.0Acceleration Due To Gravity On Earth’s Surface

$F_g=\frac{GMm}{r^2}$..............(1)

$F_g=ma$.................(2)

From equation (1) and (2)

$ma=\frac{GMm}{r^2}$

$a=\frac{GM}{r^2}$             (a=g)

$g=\frac{GM}{r^2}$

$g=\frac{(6.67\times 10^{-11})(6\times 10^{24})}{(6.4✕10^6{)}^2}=9.8m/s2$

9.0Mass And Weight

Mass-Mass: The amount of matter in an object. It is constant regardless of location and is measured in kilograms (kg) in the SI system. Mass is a scalar quantity and always positive.

Weight: The gravitational force exerted by Earth on an object. It varies with the local gravitational field and is measured in newtons (N). Weight is calculated using:

• W=mg (m-mass of an object, g=acceleration due to gravity)
• On the Moon, an object weighs about $\frac{1}{6}$ of its weight on Earth due to the Moon’s weaker gravity.

Thrust: Thrust is the force acting perpendicular to a surface. 

Pressure: Pressure is the thrust per unit area.

$Pressure=\frac{Force}{Area}=\frac{N}{m^2}=\text{Pascal(Pa)}$

For example, a 1 N force on 1 m² yields 1 Pa.

Also Read: Thrust and Pressure

Fluids: Substances that flow and lack a fixed shape—exert pressure in all directions and this pressure depends on the height of the fluid column above.

Buoyancy: It is the upward force employed by a fluid, which makes objects appear lighter when submerged. According to Archimedes' Principle, the buoyant force equals the weight of the displaced fluid.

Also Read: Buoyancy Force

• $\text{Buoyant Force}=\text{Weight of fluid displaced}=m_{l}g$     ($m_l$=mass of liquid displaced, $v_l$=volume of liquid displaced)
• $m_l={\rho }_l\times v_l$
• $F_B={\rho }_l\times v_l\times g$

Apparent Weight: It is the weight of an object in air minus the buoyant force.

Apparent weight-Because an upward force acting on a body is engulfed in a fluid, either wholly or partially, there occurs an apparent loss in weight of the body. The net weight of an object engulfed in a fluid is called apparent weight.

$\text{Apparent Weight W’}=\text{Weight of body in air}-\text{Buoyant Force}$

• Density is mass per volume$\frac{Kg}{m^3}$
• Relative Density compares a substance’s density to water’s density at 4°C.

10.0
Key Features of CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 9 Gravitation

• Complete Coverage of Gravitation: The CBSE Notes cover all essential topics such as the laws of gravitation, free fall, acceleration due to gravity, and the concept of weight and mass.
• Aligned with NCERT and CBSE Curriculum: The content is structured according to the latest NCERT syllabus and CBSE guidelines to ensure accurate and up-to-date learning.
• Clear and Simple Language: Concepts are explained in easy-to-understand language, with clear definitions and real-life examples to make complex topics accessible to all students.
• Illustrations and Diagrams: Well-detailed diagrams, such as the gravitational force between Earth and objects, to help visualize concepts and enhance understanding.
• Formulae and Derivations: Key formulas and their derivations related to gravitation, such as the universal law of gravitation, are clearly presented for quick revision.
• Practice Questions: Includes a variety of practice questions, including short-answer and numerical problems, to strengthen problem-solving skills.