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Grade 11Mechanics

What will be the height above surface of the earth where the value of gravitational acceleration is one forth of that at surface ?

Profile image of Mohit Pal
7 Years agoGrade 11
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1 Answer

Profile image of Vikas TU
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer7 Years ago
Gravity acceleration above the earth is given by the formulae: => geff. = GM/(h + R)^2
where h is the distance from the earth’s surface.
g at surface => GM/R^2
Now when it is 1/4th of when it is at surface that is geff. = g/4
Putting both the values we get,
GM/4R^2 = GM/(h + R)^2
(h + R)^2 = 4R^2
h + R = 2R
h = R
Hence at R distance it will be 1-fourth to the value at surface.