Question
Why acceleration due to gravity at the poles is greater than at the equator?
Solution
The Earth revolves about its own axis with an angular velocity given by,
At the equator, the body will experience the centrifugal force in an outward direction. So, at equator, the apparent weight will decrease and hence the acceleration due to gravity will decrease.
Acceleration due to gravity at the pole = g
Acceleration due to gravity at the equator = g - Rω2
where, R is the radius of the earth.
At the equator, the body will experience the centrifugal force in an outward direction. So, at equator, the apparent weight will decrease and hence the acceleration due to gravity will decrease.
Acceleration due to gravity at the pole = g
Acceleration due to gravity at the equator = g - Rω2
where, R is the radius of the earth.
