The value of g, representing the acceleration due to gravity on Earth, is 9.8 m/s².
This means that an object falling freely near the Earth's surface accelerates downwards at a rate of 9.8 meters per second every second.
Here's a breakdown:
- Definition: The acceleration due to gravity (g) is the acceleration experienced by an object due to the gravitational pull of a celestial body, like the Earth.
- Value on Earth: The standard value of g on Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s².
- Units: The units for g, which represents an acceleration, are meters per second squared (m/s²).
- Practical Application: This value is crucial in understanding how objects fall and how gravitational forces act upon them in various calculations.
- Variations: While 9.8 m/s² is widely used, it's essential to know that the exact value can vary slightly due to:
- Altitude: g decreases as altitude increases.
- Latitude: g varies slightly with latitude due to the Earth's shape and rotation.
- Local Geological Features: Minor variations can also occur due to differences in local density.
| Planet | Value of g (m/s²) |
|---|---|
| Mercury | 3.7 |
| Venus | 8.9 |
| Earth | 9.8 |
| Mars | 3.7 |
| Jupiter | 24.8 |
| Saturn | 10.4 |
| Uranus | 8.7 |
| Neptune | 11.1 |
In summary, the value of g is 9.8 m/s² and is a fundamental constant used in physics, particularly in mechanics, to calculate the weight of an object and to describe the behavior of objects in motion influenced by gravity.
