Question

Why is the value of g greater at the pole?

Answer 1

1. The equation for acceleration due to gravity: $g=\frac{GM}{R^2}$
2. where g = acceleration due to gravity, G= Gravitational constant, M= Mass of the body, and R= Distance from the center of the Earth
3. We can see that g is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the center of the earth.
4. The centrifugal force developed due to the rotation makes the earth bulge at its center.
5. Being an imperfect sphere, earth's radius is the least at the poles and the highest at the equator.
6. Since R is minimum at poles, g is maximum at poles.

Thus the value of g is maximum at the poles.