Question

The acceleration due to gravity at pole and equator can be related as

• A. \( g_e = g_p<g \)
• B. \( g_e = g_p = g \)
• C. \( g_e<g_p \)
• D. \( g_e>g_p \)

Hint:

Remember, at the equator, the centrifugal force from Earth's rotation reduces the apparent gravitational acceleration, making it slightly less than at the poles.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface is influenced by the Earth's shape and rotation. The value of gravity is not constant everywhere on Earth due to two main factors:
1. The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but an oblate spheroid. The centrifugal force due to the Earth's rotation is greater at the equator than at the poles, which reduces the effective gravitational force at the equator.
2. The radius of the Earth is greater at the equator than at the poles, and gravity decreases with distance from the Earth's center. At the poles (\(g_p\)), gravity is unaffected by centrifugal force, and it has the maximum value. At the equator (\(g_e\)), the centrifugal force due to the Earth's rotation reduces the effective force of gravity. This results in gravity at the equator being slightly less than gravity at the poles.
Thus, the acceleration due to gravity is: \[ g_e<g_p \] Hence, the correct relationship is \( g_e<g_p \), and the answer is \( C \).