Acceleration due to Gravity | Definition, Formula & Examples
The distribution of mass within Earth or another celestial body determines the value of gravity’s attraction or potential. As previously stated, the form of the surface on which the potential remains constant is determined by the distribution of matter.
Geodesy, which studies the form of the Earth, and geophysics, which studies its underlying structure, both require gravity and potential measurements. It is better to measure the potential from the orbits of artificial satellites for geodesy and global geophysics.
Local geophysics, which deals with the structure of mountains and oceans as well as the hunt for minerals, benefits from surface gravity data.
Illustrative picture depicting Gravitational force posses by various planets of our solar system
The downward acceleration of a free-falling object is 9.8 m/s/s (on Earth). This numerical number for a free-falling object’s acceleration is given a distinct name known as gravity acceleration or acceleration due to gravity.
The acceleration due to gravity is given by g=Fm, where F= force exerted by the earth on an object of mass m.
As the concept of free fall has arisen as we mentioned above, let’s have a look over the concept of Free Fall.
Free Fall:
Image depicting an example of Free Fall
A free-falling object is one that is falling only due to the impact of gravity. A state of free fall is defined as an object that is only affected by the force of gravity. Free-falling objects have two significant motion characteristics:
Free-falling objects are not affected by air resistance.
On Earth, all free-falling objects accelerate at 9.8 m/s (commonly estimated as 10 m/s for making calculations easy).
Also Check: MCQ on Gravitation for NEET Physics
Variation in the value of g:
We define acceleration due to gravity or Gravitational acceleration formula as:
g=Fm
F= force exerted by the earth on an object of mass m.
Also Check: Gravitational Acceleration Formula
Variation due to Height from the surface of the Earth
Let us assume that an object is placed at a distance h above from the surface of earth.
Therefore, the gravitational force experienced by the body can be written as
F=G Mm / (R+h)2
F=G Mm / (R+h)2
M: Mass of the earth, r: radius of the earth
We know that,
g=F / M ⇒ GM / (R+h)2
One point that’s worth noting here is, as we go up the value of g decreases.
Let’s rewrite the above written equation as,
g=GM /[ R 2(1+h/R)2 ] ⇒ go(1+h/R)2
go=GM /R2
If h<<<<R
Therefore,
g=go(1+h /R)-2
g=go [1- (2 h/R)]
Now, let us assume another scenario. Suppose one goes distance h inside the earth. In this case, as well the value of g will decrease.
Force can be written as,
F=G Mm /R 3 × (R-h)
g=F / m=GM / R 2 ×(R-h /R)
g=go [1- (h/R)]
Hence we can conclude that the value of g is maximum at the surface of the earth. And with increment or decrement of height the value of g decreases.
Let’s take an example for better understanding:
Example: Compute the value of the acceleration due to gravity at
6.0 km above the surface of the earth
6.0 km below the surface of the earth.
Radius of earth = 6400 km and take g as 10 ms-2
Solution: Value of g at a height h is ,
g=go [1- (2 h/R)] [ h<<<<R]
Therefore,
g=10[1 – (26.0 km /6400 km)]
g≅ 9.8 ms-2
Value of g at a depth h is written as ,
⇒ g=go [1- (h/R)]
⇒ g=10[1 – (6.0 km /6400 km)]
g≅ 9.9 ms-2
Variation in g (Changes with time)
The gravitational potential at Earth’s surface is primarily due to the planet’s mass and rotation, with minor contributions from the distant Sun and Moon. Because such little contributions vary with time as the Earth rotates, the local value of g varies somewhat. The diurnal and semidiurnal tidal variations are as follows. For most purposes, all that is required is to know the variation of gravity over time at a fixed location or the variations in gravity from one location to the next; the tidal variation can then be eliminated. As a result, practically all gravity measurements are relative comparisons of variations from one location to another or over time.
Unit of Gravity
Because gravity changes are far slower than 1 meter per second per second, having a smaller unit for relative measurements is more convenient. For this purpose, the gal (named after Galileo) has been chosen; a gal is one-tenth of a meter per second per second. The milligal is the most often used unit, equaling 105 meters per second per second—roughly one-millionth of the typical value of g.
Example of Acceleration Due to Gravity
Imagine a ball dropped from the top of a building. The moment it is released, it starts accelerating toward the ground due to Earth's gravitational pull. This acceleration is constant and approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth's surface.
For instance, if the ball takes 2 seconds to hit the ground:
Initial velocity (u) = 0 (since it starts from rest)
Time (t) = 2 seconds
Using the formula: s=ut+1/2gt2 where g=9.8m/s2, s=0+21×9.8×(2)2=19.6meters.
Thus, the ball falls 19.6 meters in 2 seconds due to the acceleration caused by gravity.
Acceleration due to Gravity Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it that the acceleration due to gravity is greatest at the Pole?
Gravitational acceleration is greatest at the poles because they are closest to the earth's center of mass. And the equator is located far away from the earth's center of mass. Furthermore, the centrifugal force caused by the earth's rotation has a minor effect on the acceleration owing to gravity.
Why does an astronaut feel as if he or she is weightless?
Because there is no ground or normal force to oppose the force of gravity, an astronaut orbiting the Earth feels weightless. As a result, the astronaut is plummeting. However, because the astronaut is moving so quickly, he or she is constantly falling around the Earth rather than colliding with it.
What's the difference between weightlessness and freefall?
The impact of gravity is nullified by the inertial (e.g., centrifugal) force arising from the orbital flight, resulting in weightlessness when in free-fall. Zero gravity is a word that is frequently used to describe such a situation. True weightlessness, with the exception of spaceflight, may only be experienced for a small period of time, as in an airplane flying in a ballistic (i.e., parabolic) course, whereas In mechanics, free-fall is the state of a body that moves freely in any direction in the presence of gravity. In the gravitational field of the Sun, the planets, for example, are in free fall.
Define Acceleration due to gravity.
Acceleration due to gravity is the acceleration of freely falling bodies caused by the force of attraction of another body. For a given attracting body at a particular location, it is a constant quantity. The average acceleration due to gravity on or near the surface of the earth is 9.8ms-2
