Acceleration due to Gravity on Earth
Acceleration due to gravity on Earth is a measure of how quickly objects fall towards the ground when dropped. It is a constant value, which is equal to 9.81 m/s² approximately. This means that any object falling freely under gravity’s influence accelerates downward at this rate every second.
- While 9.81 m/s² is the average, the exact value can vary slightly. This variation depends on altitude and the Earth’s shape.
- Gravity acts on all objects equally, regardless of their mass. This is why a feather and a hammer will hit the ground at the same time in a vacuum.
- Gravity is slightly stronger at the poles than at the equator. This is due to the Earth’s slight bulge at the equator.
- The force of gravity on an object determines its weight. More gravity means more weight.
- Gravity holds Earth’s atmosphere in place, protecting us from the vacuum of space.
Value of g
The acceleration felt by a free-falling object due to the gravitational force of the mass body is called gravitational acceleration. It is denoted by g and calculated using SI unit m/s2. The value of g depends on the mass of the body and its size. Its value varies from body to body. In this article, we will learn about the value of g in physics in detail.
Table of Content
- Acceleration due to Gravity on Earth
- Value of g
- Calculation of Acceleration due to Gravity on Earth