Question

The value of acceleration due to gravity:
A) is the same on the equator and poles
B) is least on poles
C) is least on the equator
D) Increases from pole to equator.

Answer 1

Hint: The Equator is halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole. Thus it divides a planet into the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere.

Complete step by step answer:
The gravity of Earth is defined as the net acceleration that Is applied due to the combined effect of the centrifugal force and gravitation of the objects. It is denoted by the letter g.
The acceleration due to gravity is given by the formula,
$g = \dfrac{{GM}}{{{r^2}}}$
Where G is the gravitational constant. M is the mass of the earth and r is the radius.
The acceleration due to gravity depends on the radius of the earth and the mass of the earth. It is clear from the formula that the acceleration due to gravity is inversely proportional to the radius.
We know that the radius, r will be maximum at the equator and hence the acceleration due to gravity will be minimum. Similarly, the radius, r will be minimum at the poles and hence the acceleration due to gravity will be maximum.
Thus the acceleration due to gravity is maximum at the poles and minimum at the equator.

Hence the correct option is C.

Note: 1. The acceleration from gravity will remain always constant and is downward, even though the magnitude of the velocity and the direction change.
2. The acceleration is constant in the freefall, which is a special case of motion. For describing a freefall, the size, shape, and weight of the object are not considered as the factors. We cannot escape from the pull of gravity.