Question

The acceleration due to gravity

• A. Has the same value everywhere in space
• B. Has the same value everywhere on the earth
• C. varies with the latitude on the earth
• D. is greater on the moon due to its smaller diameter

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

varies with the latitude on the earth

Net force on body is $mg-m{\omega }^{2}r$ where $\omega$ is the angular velocity of body due to rotation of earth about its axis.

This $\omega$ experienced by body varies with latitude.

It is maximum at equator and minimum at poles.

So net force on body or effective acceleration due to gravity changes with latitude.

The value of acceleration due to gravity is less on the moon than earth due to its very low mass compared to the earth's mass.