PDA

View Full Version : Change in gravitational field strength

leslie1016
Mar15-09, 05:08 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The tallest spot on Earth is Mt. Everest. But another well-known mountain is the Mont Blanc, European Alps, which is 4807 m above sea level. If the radius of the earth to sea level is 6367 km, how much does the gravitational field strength change between the sea level value at that location (9.826 N/kg) and the top of the Mont Blanc?




3. The attempt at a solution

I don't even know how to begin. :-(
berkeman
Mar15-09, 05:20 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The tallest spot on Earth is Mt. Everest. But another well-known mountain is the Mont Blanc, European Alps, which is 4807 m above sea level. If the radius of the earth to sea level is 6367 km, how much does the gravitational field strength change between the sea level value at that location (9.826 N/kg) and the top of the Mont Blanc?




3. The attempt at a solution

I don't even know how to begin. :-(

What is the equation for the force of gravity, in terms of the mass of the Earth, the mass of whatever you're weighing, and the distance between the two centers of mass? It has a big "G" constant in it as well....
leslie1016
Mar15-09, 05:23 PM
I have no idea. I am supposed to be in an introductory course and it doesn't seem to be that way. On top of that it's an online course.
berkeman
Mar15-09, 05:28 PM
I have no idea. I am supposed to be in an introductory course and it doesn't seem to be that way. On top of that it's an online course.

Here's an online resource for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_law_of_universal_gravitation
leslie1016
Mar15-09, 05:32 PM
Thank you! But, I'm still confused. How do I set it up? Once I get it setup I can solve it.
berkeman
Mar15-09, 05:37 PM
Thank you! But, I'm still confused. How do I set it up? Once I get it setup I can solve it.

Nope. You need to do the work, leslie. We don't do your homework for you. You wouldn't be learning if we showed you the relevant equations and set everything up for you.

Re-read the question, and read the link that I provided, and think through how you can use that equation for this problem. Show us your work and we can try to help more.