Question

The simplified formula gh = g(1 - 2h/R) is valid only when ______.

Options

• h is very large compared to R

• h is much smaller than R (h << R)

• h equals R

• h is zero

Answer 1

The simplified formula gh = g(1 - 2h/R) is valid only when h is much smaller than R (h << R).

Explanation:

The simplified formula uses the Binomial Theorem approximation, which works only when h is much smaller than Earth's radius (h << R).