Question

The acceleration due to gravity at the surface of a planet depends on the _________ and the ________ of the planet.

• A. mass
• B. radius

Answer 1

1. The acceleration experienced by a body falling from a height towards earth is called acceleration due to gravity.
2. Its SI unit is $\raisebox{1ex}{$m$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$s^2$}\right.$.
3. It depends on the mass and the radius of the planet.
   $$\begin{gathered} g=\frac{GM}{r^2} \\ where,g\to acccelerationduetogravity \\ G\to gravitationalcons\tan t \\ M\to massoftheplanet \\ r\to radiusofplanet\raisebox{1ex}{$$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$$}\right. \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of a planet depends on the mass and the radius of the planet.