The acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface is 9.80 m/s2. What is the acceleration at altitudes of 100 km?

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**Acceleration Due to Gravity at Different Altitudes**

The acceleration due to gravity at Earth’s surface is \(9.80 \, \text{m/s}^2\). What is the acceleration at an altitude of 100 km?

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**Explanation:**

When an object is at the surface of the Earth, it experiences gravitational acceleration of \(9.80 \, \text{m/s}^2\). However, as we move away from the Earth's surface, the gravitational acceleration decreases with the square of the distance from the center of the Earth. This relationship is described by the formula:

\[ g = \frac{GM}{(R+h)^2} \]

Where:
- \( G \) is the gravitational constant \((6.674 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2) \),
- \( M \) is the mass of the Earth \((5.98 \times 10^{24} \, \text{kg})\),
- \( R \) is the radius of the Earth \((6.371 \times 10^6 \, \text{m})\),
- \( h \) is the altitude above the Earth's surface (100 km or 100,000 m in this case).

By substituting these values into the formula, one can calculate the acceleration due to gravity at 100 km altitude.

Note: Please include a derivation of this formula and the calculation steps in the actual course content for better comprehension.
Transcribed Image Text:**Acceleration Due to Gravity at Different Altitudes** The acceleration due to gravity at Earth’s surface is \(9.80 \, \text{m/s}^2\). What is the acceleration at an altitude of 100 km? --- **Explanation:** When an object is at the surface of the Earth, it experiences gravitational acceleration of \(9.80 \, \text{m/s}^2\). However, as we move away from the Earth's surface, the gravitational acceleration decreases with the square of the distance from the center of the Earth. This relationship is described by the formula: \[ g = \frac{GM}{(R+h)^2} \] Where: - \( G \) is the gravitational constant \((6.674 \times 10^{-11} \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2) \), - \( M \) is the mass of the Earth \((5.98 \times 10^{24} \, \text{kg})\), - \( R \) is the radius of the Earth \((6.371 \times 10^6 \, \text{m})\), - \( h \) is the altitude above the Earth's surface (100 km or 100,000 m in this case). By substituting these values into the formula, one can calculate the acceleration due to gravity at 100 km altitude. Note: Please include a derivation of this formula and the calculation steps in the actual course content for better comprehension.
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