At what height from surface of earth the value of acceleration due to gravity will fall to half that on the…

At what height from surface of earth the value of acceleration due to gravity will fall to half that on the surface of the earth?
  1. \(2625 \mathrm{~m}\)
  2. \(2625 \mathrm{~km}\)
  3. \(2526 \mathrm{~m}\)
  4. \(2526 \mathrm{~km}\)

Solution

If \(g\) be the gravitational acceleration on the surface of earth, then gravitational acceleration at height \(h\) given as \(\begin{aligned} & g_h=\frac{g}{\left(1+\frac{h}{R_e}\right)^2} \\ & \text{But, } g_h=\frac{g}{2} \\ & \therefore \quad \frac{g}{2}=\frac{g}{\left(1+\frac{h}{R_e}\right)^2} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad\left(1+\frac{h}{R_e}\right)^2=2 \\ & \Rightarrow \quad 1+\frac{h}{R_e}=\sqrt{2} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad h=(\sqrt{2}-1) R_e \\ & =(1.414-1) 6400 \\ & =2649.6 \mathrm{~km} \\ & \simeq 2625 \mathrm{~km} \\ \end{aligned}\)

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2020 (18 Sep Shift 1)

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