Gravitational Pulls- Acceleration decreases as object is farther from center

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving gravitational acceleration at a mountain observatory, which is measured to be 0.0057 m/s² less than at sea level. The user initially calculates the Earth's mass using the gravitational formula but realizes they need to use the correct mass of the Earth, which is 5.98E24 kg. Despite correcting this, they still arrive at an incorrect altitude result and seek assistance. Other participants emphasize the importance of showing detailed calculations to identify errors. The thread highlights the challenges of applying gravitational equations in practical scenarios.
Phoenixtears
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Homework Statement



A sensitive gravimeter at a mountain observatory finds that the acceleration due to gravity is 0.0057 m/s2 less than that at sea level. What is the observatory's altitude?
___m

Homework Equations



g= (GM)/r^2


The Attempt at a Solution



Alrighty, my attempt makes sense to me, so I'm sure where I'm going wrong.

I began by finding the mass. So, I used 9.8 m/s2 as the g and then the Earth's radius as r:

9.8= (6.67E-11)M/6.37E6 (<----- the Earth's radius)

M= 9.359E17 kg

Then I subtracted the acceleration change given from 9.8:

9.8-0.0057 = 9.7943 m/s2
That is my new g.

Then, using the found mass, I plugged in my new numbers:

9.7943= (6.67E-11)(9.36E17)/ r^2
r=2523.4 m

That, however, was not the correct answer. I can't see my error. Could anyone help me out?

Thanks in advance!

~Phoenix
 
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Do you need to square the Earth's radius?
 
atyy said:
Do you need to square the Earth's radius?

Sorry. I never came back to edit that out. My mistake. I actually realized that I was being dense and could just use the Earth's mass- 5.98E24.

Yet this is still the incorrect answer. Can anyone help me?
 
We can't tell why your result is incorrect if you don't tell us what your result is and how you obtained it. In other words, show your work, please!
 
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