Acceleration due to gravity above Earth
Not what you're looking for?
"How far above the Earth's surface will the acceleration due to gravity be a quarter of what it is on the surface?"
I tried to use the g' = (G * m) / r^2 equation (with the mass of the earth as "m") because it was used with a somewhat similar problem in my book about the value of g on the top of Mount Everest, but I came up with a ridiculous number.
Can you tell me how to do this problem correctly?
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
The acceleration due to gravity above the Earth is determined. How far above the earth's surface will the acceleration due to gravity be a quarter of what it is on the surface is computed.
Solution Preview
Hi,
To begin with, I'd like to say you were on the right track when you used g=G*m/r^2 but I guess something went wrong in your calculation. I'm going to suggest 2 approaches: one of them quick and intuitive, the other a more brute force method that will succeed if the first way doesn't occur to you.
Method 1
since G and m are constants regardless of your height above the earth, the only variable here is "r", ie distance to the centre of ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
The Moon
Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.
Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials
This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.
Variables in Science Experiments
How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.
Basic Physics
This quiz will test your knowledge about basic Physics.
Intro to the Physics Waves
Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.