Physics
Variation of Gravitational Field Strength with Altitude
Quick fact
At the top of Mount Everest, gravitational field strength is about 0.9% less than at sea level.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever wondered why astronauts feel lighter in space? It’s not just about being far from Earth—it’s about how gravity changes with altitude.
Read the full explanation
Understanding Variation of Gravitational Field Strength with Altitude
Imagine holding a ball in your hand on Earth. The force pulling it down is called gravity. Now imagine lifting that ball higher—like climbing a mountain. As you go up, the pull from Earth gets weaker because you’re farther away from its center. This change isn’t dramatic at low altitudes, but it becomes more noticeable as you go higher.
A deeper explanation
Gravitational field strength follows an inverse-square law, meaning it decreases with the square of the distance from the center of the Earth. As altitude increases, the distance between the object and Earth’s center also increases, causing a proportional decrease in gravitational pull. This principle is crucial for calculating weight at different heights and understanding how satellites stay in orbit.