If Earth's radius were reduced by 1% while its mass remained unchanged, what…
2025
If Earth's radius were reduced by 1% while its mass remained unchanged, what would be the effect on the
gravitational acceleration at its surface?
- A.
Increase by approximately 1%
- B.
Decrease by approximately 2%
- C.
Increase by approximately 2%
- D.
Decrease by approximately 1%
Attempted by 26 students.
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Correct answer: C
Surface gravitational acceleration is g = GM/R^2. If Earth's radius becomes 0.99R while mass is unchanged, g becomes g/(0.99)^2, which is about 2% higher.