The gravitational acceleration at distance from Earth’s center follows

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

The gravitational acceleration at distance

r

from Earth’s center follows

g(r)=g_0\left(\dfrac{R_E}{r}\right)^2

, where

g_0=9.8\,\text{m/s}^2

and

R_E=6.37\times10^6\,\text{m}

. A research aircraft cruises at an altitude of 15\,km. What is the percent difference between

g_0

and the actual magnitude of

g

at that altitude? (a) About

1\%

(b) About

0.5\%

5\%

(d) About

0.2\%