If the distance from the center of the Earth is doubled, how does the gravitational field strength change?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
If the distance from the center of the Earth is doubled, how does the gravitational field strength change?
It doubles.
It halves.
It becomes zero.
It quadruples.
The gravitational field strength varies inversely with the square of the distance, so if the distance is doubled, the field strength becomes 1/4.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: If the distance from the center of the Earth is doubled, how does the gravitational field strength change?
Solution: The gravitational field strength varies inversely with the square of the distance, so if the distance is doubled, the field strength becomes 1/4.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that gravitational field strength depends on distance from the center of the Earth.
Step 2: Know that if you double the distance from the center of the Earth, you are moving further away.
Step 3: Remember the rule: gravitational field strength decreases with the square of the distance.
Step 4: If the distance is doubled, calculate the effect: (1 / (2^2)) = 1 / 4.
Step 5: Conclude that the gravitational field strength becomes 1/4 of what it was before.
