Question

The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth is _____

(a) greater towards the equator and lesser towards the poles

(b) lesser towards the equator and greater towards the poles

(c) same at all points on the surface of the earth

(d) same everywhere except at the poles

This question was addressed to me in an interview for job.

Asked question is from Acceleration due to Gravity of the Earth topic in division Gravitation of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct choice is (b) lesser towards the equator and greater towards the poles

To elaborate: The earth is not a perfect sphere. The radius of the earth at the equator is greater than that at the poles, hence, the acceleration due to gravity is lesser towards the equator and greater towards the poles.