Q. The radius of the earth is $R.$ The height of a point vertically above the earth’s surface at which acceleration due to gravity becomes 1% of its value at the surface is

A) $8\ R$
B) $9\ R$
C) $10\ R$
D) $20\ R$
Explanation

(b) Acceleration due to gravity at a height $h$ from earth’s surface
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ g^{'} = \frac{GM}{(R + h)^{2}}$
$Since,\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ g^{'} = \frac{g}{100}$
$or\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \frac{g}{100} = \ \frac{GM}{(R + h)^{2}}$
$or\ \ \ \ \frac{(R + h)^{2}}{100} = \frac{GM}{g}$
$or\ \ \ \ \ \frac{(R + h)^{2}}{100} = R^{2}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \left\lbrack \therefore g = \frac{GM}{R^{2}} \right\rbrack$
$or\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ R + h = 10R$
$\Longrightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ h = 9R$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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