The value of ‘g’ is minimum at the equator because earth is not a perfect sphere. Its radius is maximum at the equator. Hence, according to the equation g = GM/R2, the equator is the place where g will be minimum.
Acceleration due to gravity
The value of acceleration due to gravity is maximum at poles and minimum at the equator. The acceleration of gravity of an object is a measurable quantity. From Newton’s universal law of gravitation, its value depends on the mass of the Earth and the distance the object is from the Earth’s centre.
- The value of g is independent of the object’s mass and only depends upon location – the planet the object is on and the distance from the centre of that planet.
