Question:

If the acceleration due to gravity experienced by a point mass at a height h above the surface of earth is same as that of the acceleration due to gravity at a depth \(\alpha h \ (h \ll Re)\) from the earth surface. The value of α will be ________.
(Use Re=6400 km)

Updated On: Mar 19, 2025
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Correct Answer: 2

Solution and Explanation

\(g(1 - \frac{2h}{R}) = g(1 - \frac{d}{R})\)
\(⇒ 2h = d\)
\(⇒ α = 2\)
So, the answer is 2.

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Concepts Used:

Gravitation

In mechanics, the universal force of attraction acting between all matter is known as Gravity, also called gravitation, . It is the weakest known force in nature.

Newton’s Law of Gravitation

According to Newton’s law of gravitation, “Every particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a force whose magnitude is,

  • F ∝ (M1M2) . . . . (1)
  • (F ∝ 1/r2) . . . . (2)

On combining equations (1) and (2) we get,

F ∝ M1M2/r2

F = G × [M1M2]/r2 . . . . (7)

Or, f(r) = GM1M2/r2

The dimension formula of G is [M-1L3T-2].