The discussion revolves around the calculation of the percent difference in gravitational acceleration (g) at the poles and the equator, assuming the Earth is a sphere with a radius of 4000 miles. Participants are exploring the implications of this assumption on the problem's outcome.
The conversation is ongoing, with participants raising valid points about the assumptions in the problem statement. Some have suggested that additional factors, such as centripetal acceleration, might need to be considered, although the original wording of the problem seems to limit this exploration.
Participants note that previous questions have required more complex considerations, leading to uncertainty about whether additional factors should be included in this problem. The specific wording of the problem may influence how participants approach the calculation.
atomicpedals said:The problem as it appears in the text is "Taking the Earth to be a sphere of 4000 miles radius, compute the percent difference in g, the acceleration due to gravity, at the poles and equator."
So as stated I it's zero. However, as every-other question has required much much more I thought I was missing something!
Were the question to consider the Earth as it is (an oblatespheroid) there would be a small difference.