A person weighs on the Earth’s surface

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Gravitation · Gravitation

Problem

A person weighs 750 N750\,\text{N} on the Earth’s surface. The same person is carried in a spacecraft to an altitude of 400 km400\,\text{km} above the surface. Assume g=9.8 m s−2g = 9.8\,\text{m s}^{-2} and R=6.4×106 mR = 6.4\times10^{6}\,\text{m}. (i) Calculate the acceleration due to gravity at the stated altitude using a suitable relation. (ii) Hence determine the person’s weight at that altitude. (iii) Find the fractional change in weight and express it as a percentage.

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