SUMMARY
The force of gravity acting on Al, who stands at the summit of Mt. Everest (8,848 m elevation) with a mass of 58 kg, can be calculated using the formula F = GMm/r². The Earth’s mass is 5.97e24 kg and its radius is 6.38e6 m. The correct calculation yields a gravitational force of approximately 569.385 N, which is slightly less than the force at sea level due to the increased distance from the Earth's center. The addition of the elevation to the Earth's radius to find the total distance (r) is confirmed as accurate.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
- Familiarity with gravitational constant (G = 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N(m/kg)²)
- Basic knowledge of significant figures in scientific calculations
- Ability to perform calculations involving large numbers and scientific notation
NEXT STEPS
- Study the implications of gravitational force variations with altitude
- Learn about the effects of Earth's radius variability on gravitational calculations
- Explore the concept of weightlessness and how it relates to gravitational force
- Investigate the application of gravitational force calculations in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR
Students in physics, educators teaching gravitational concepts, and anyone interested in the practical applications of gravitational force calculations at varying altitudes.