Question

At what altitude above the earth's surface would the acceleration due to gravity be 4.9 m/s^2? Assume the mean radius of the earth is 6.4x10^6 metres and the acceleration due to gravity 9.8m/s^2 on the surface of the earth.

Answer 1

We apply the gravity calculation expressed in the formula: g=GM/r2 
where G is the gravitational constant, m is the mass and r is the radius
r=√GM/g
(1)       Radius = √6.674e-11*5.972e24/8             = 7058 kms    Earth radius or surface of earth from center of earth= 6400 kmsSo r= 658 kms from surface of earth.
Gravity 8m/s2 will be at 658 kms from surface of earth.
(2) half gravity= 9.8/2= 4.9 m/s2     Radius=√6.674e-11*5.972e24/4.9                 = 9019 kms        Half Gravity will exist at 9019-6400= 2619 kms from surface of earth.