Question

The acceleration due to gravity at the surface of Planet X is 10 m/s2. What is the acceleration due to gravity at an altitude of 3000 km above the surface of this planet?

Answer 1

Options:

a) 10 m/s²

b) 8 m/s²

c) 4.4 m/s²

d) More information is needed

Answer:

d) More information is needed

Explanation:

The acceleration due to gravity at an altitude h above the surface of a planet is given by the equation:

$g = g_o \frac{h^2}{(h + R)^2}$.................(1)

where the altitude above the surface of the planet X, h = 3000 km

Acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the planet, g₀ = 10 m/s²

To be able to get the acceleration due to gravity, g, at an altitude h above the surface of the planet, all parameters must be substituted into equation (1).

Unfortunately, the radius, R, of the planet, X, is not given. This means that there are no sufficient parameters(information) to find the acceleration due to gravity at an altitude h above the surface of the planet.