Question

Answer the following question in detail.

At which place on the Earth’s surface is the gravitational acceleration minimum? Why?

Answer 1

1. Gravitational acceleration on the surface of the Earth depends on latitude of the place as well as the rotation and shape of the Earth.
2. At equator, latitude θ = 0°.
   ∴ g' = g - Rω²
   i.e., the acceleration due to gravity is reduced by amount Rω² (≈ 0.034 m/s²) at equator.
3. Also, the shape of the Earth is actually an ellipsoid, bulged at the equator. The equatorial radius of the Earth is 6378 km, which is maximum. As g ∝ `1/"R"^2`, acceleration due to gravity is minimum on the equator i.e., 9.7804 m/s².