Question

the radius of the earth is 6.38*10⁶ ​m and its mean density is 5.5 *10³ kg m^-3 .Calculate the earth's surface potential . Given that G = 6.67*10^-11 Nm²kg^-2

Answer 1

Dear student

for point on and beyond the surface, symmetrical masses (here it is considered that earth is a symmetric sphere) can be treated as point masses fixed at the centre.

Potential = potential energy of 1kg

​= mgh= 1 g R_e
=1 (9.80655) (6.38*10⁶)
=62565789 Joules/kg (approx)

​Regards