PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics
Problem
Near Earth’s surface, the gravitational force on a 2kg object is often treated as constant when the object is raised a few meters. Which of the following best justifies this approximation?
(a) Earth’s gravitational field is uniform everywhere around the planet since Earth is nearly spherical.
(b) The change in distance from Earth’s center is negligible compared with Earth’s radius.
(c) The gravitational force depends only on the object’s mass, which does not change.
(d) The gravitational force depends on the object’s distance from Earth’s surface, which stays essentially the same when the object is raised only a few meters.