Change in Magnitude of Accleration due to gravity

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of g measurements to locate regions of higher or lower density in the Earth, which can indicate the presence of valuable substances such as gold or oil. The specific scenario of a spherical deposit of oil just below the Earth's surface is considered, and the change in the magnitude of acceleration due to gravity above such a deposit is estimated using the equations a=GM/r^2 and 4/3pi (r^3). However, there may be errors in the calculations as the final answer did not match the expected result.
  • #1
mandi182
13
0

Homework Statement



When searching for gold, measurements of g can be used find regions within the Earth where the density is larger than that of normal soil. Such measurements can also be used to find regions in which the density of the Earth is smaller than normal soil; such regions might contain a valuable fluid (oil). Consider a deposit of oil that is 350 m in diameter and just below the surface of the Earth. For simplicity, assume the deposit is spherical. Estimate the change in the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity on the surface above this deposit. Assume that the density of the oil is 1590 kg/m3 and the density of normal soil and rock is 2500 kg/m3. Note: Companies that search for valuable minerals actually use this method.

Homework Equations


a=GM/r^2 and also 4/3pi (r^3)



The Attempt at a Solution


I solved for the Mass of each which was 3.57E10 and 5.612E10. Then I solved for accelaration due to gravity on both, which was 1.2228168630857E-5 and 7.777E-6
and then subtracted those numbers to get the change in acceleration due to gravity.

The answer I got was incorrect, so I am not sure what to do next.

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
I get the same numbers for the masses, but not for the accelerations.
Try that last calc again and show your work if you would like more feedback.
 

What is "Change in Magnitude of Accleration due to gravity"?

"Change in Magnitude of Accleration due to gravity" refers to the difference in the strength of gravitational acceleration at different points in space or on different objects. This change can be caused by factors such as distance from a massive object, variations in the distribution of mass, or external forces.

How is the change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity calculated?

The change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity can be calculated by taking the difference between the gravitational acceleration at two points, using the equation a = GM/r^2 where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the larger object, and r is the distance between the two objects.

What factors can cause a change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity?

The magnitude of acceleration due to gravity can be affected by factors such as distance from a massive object, variations in the distribution of mass, and external forces such as the rotation of a planet or the presence of nearby objects.

How does the change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity impact objects?

The change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity can impact objects by causing them to accelerate or decelerate at different rates depending on their location and the strength of the gravitational field. This can affect the movement, behavior, and stability of objects in space or on the surface of a planet.

Can the change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity be observed or measured?

Yes, the change in magnitude of acceleration due to gravity can be observed and measured using various instruments such as gravimeters, accelerometers, and pendulums. These tools can detect variations in gravitational acceleration and provide data for further analysis and research.

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