Does Gravitational Acceleration Change with Distance or Object Size?

  • Thread starter Thread starter aparra2
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Figure
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors affecting gravitational acceleration, specifically whether it varies with distance, mass, or size of an object. Participants explore the relationship between these variables in the context of gravitational physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the role of mass in gravitational acceleration, with some asserting it has no effect while others reconsider this stance. The concept of distance and its relation to gravitational acceleration is also debated, alongside the relevance of object size.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants presenting differing views on the relationship between mass, distance, and gravitational acceleration. Some guidance has been offered regarding the effects of distance on gravitational acceleration, particularly in relation to the Earth's surface.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the definitions of distance and mass in the context of gravitational acceleration, as well as the implications of object size in free fall scenarios. Participants are encouraged to clarify their assumptions and revisit their reasoning.

aparra2
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Does gravitational acceleration g vary with distance, mass, size of the object?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you think? What do you mean by "distance of the object"?
 
I think that acceleration has nothing to do wit mass but i has to do with distance and time because g is found by dividing 2d/t squared. BUt size doesn't matter and mass only matter when talking about force right?
 
aparra2 said:
I think that acceleration has nothing to do wit mass but i has to do with distance and time because g is found by dividing 2d/t squared. BUt size doesn't matter and mass only matter when talking about force right?

Are you sure that mass has nothing to do with acceleration?? Double check your work.
 
Last edited:
ok maybe i was wrong mass does have to do with the acceleration bc acelleration is the force divided by the mass but.But does the size of the size of the object dosent matter. My reasoning tell me that, let's say u have a cube of 10mx20x30 meters of aluminum and also a ball of steel the size of a ping pong ball they both have the same acceleration of gravity when they are both subjected to free fall test
 
For an object accelerating towards a mass, no mass doesn't matter (i think i read your question wrong sorry). Any mass, no matter how big or small will always accelerate at the same speed.

The acceleration of that object depends on the mass it is accelerating to and how far it is from the mass' center. There is an equation to figure out how fast an object accelerates near a mass. See if you can figure it out. Hint, it is related to G*m*m/r^2.
 
Last edited:
aparra2 said:
I think that acceleration has nothing to do wit mass but i has to do with distance and time because g is found by dividing 2d/t squared. BUt size doesn't matter and mass only matter when talking about force right?

You are correct that the acceleration of an object does not depend on mass or size (for the latter, neglecting air resistance).

The actual value of g does decrease as we move further up away from the Earth's surface. However, this decrease is negligible if the distance moved up is small in comparison with the Earth's surface.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
1
Views
2K