Question

Identical packets are dropped from two aeroplanes, one above the equator and the other above the north pole, both at height h. Assuming all conditions are identical, will those packets take same time to reach the surface of earth. Justify your answer.

Answer 1

Acceleration due to gravity of our earth varies at poles and equator due to the following reasons:

1. Rotation of the earth:

The centrifugal on any object on the earth depends on the distance of the object from the axis of rotation of the earth.

g ^/ = g - ω ² R

Any object at the equator is at the maximum distance from the axis. Whereas, an object at the pole will be near the axis. So, acceleration due to gravity is less at the equator than at the poles.

2. Non sphericity of the earth:

The radius in the equatorial plane is about 21 Km larger than the radius along the poles. The value of g is accordingly larger at poles and less at the equator.

Since, acceleration due to gravity is large at the poles than at the equator, the packet dropped at the north pole will reach the earth's surface earlier compared to the packet dropped at the equator.