Variation in the Value of Acceleration Due to Gravity
Physics
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Variation in acceleration due to gravity
Value of acceleration due to gravity changes with height and depth from the earth's surface. It is maximum on the earth's surface. Its variation with height (or depth) is shown in the plot.
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Approximate variation of acceleration due to gravity with height and depth
At a height h<<Re, approximate expression for acceleration due to gravity is given by: g′=g(1−Re2h)
At a depth d, expression for acceleration due to gravity is given by: g′=g(1−Red)
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Effect of non-spherical shape of earth on the value of acceleration due to gravity
Earth is not perfectly spherical in shape. It is flattened at poles and bulging at the equator. Hence, value of acceleration due to gravity is more on the poles than at the equator.