Where the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of earth is (i) maximum (ii) minimum? Find the difference in the maximum and minimum value of g on the surface of the earth.
The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth at angle of latitude is,
(i) The value of g is maximum at points where
Thus, acceleration due to gravity is maximum at poles.
∴
(ii) The value of g is minimum at points where
Thus, acceleration due to gravity is minimum at the equator.
i.e.,
The difference in the value of g at pole and equator is,