Surface of Earth: Gravitational Accel & Atmosphere

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that the "surface of the Earth" is generally defined as sea level, which approximates a spherical shape for most calculations. Gravitational acceleration is considered constant near this surface but decreases with altitude due to the inverse relationship with distance from the Earth's center. Wind forces do not affect gravitational acceleration directly; however, they can influence net acceleration experienced by objects in the atmosphere.

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  • Understanding of gravitational force and acceleration principles
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PhysKid24
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Hi, I'm just confused about what is meant when physics talks about the surace of the Earth and gravitational acceleration being constant near the surface of the earth. Are we considered to be on the surface of the earth, or is the surface corresponding to the spherical surface of the earth? And if I go higher into the atmosphere, doesn't the gravitational acceleration decrease because of wind forces present. Sorry, it's just been confusing me for a bit. Thanks.
 
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Generally "surface of the earth" is taken to be sea level. Of course, even that varies slightly but is close enough to a sphere that the difference is negligible in most calculations.

Yes, the gravitational acceleration decreases as you go higher but that's because gravitational force (and so acceleration) varies inversely as the distance from the center of the earth. Wind forces are irrelevant to gravitational acceleration but might effect net acceleration.
 

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