2007-09-27 09:57:12 · 4 answers · asked by Lambi L 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No, the acceleration due to gravity is constant, no matter what the size or mass of an object is.
The previous equation being mentioned is the Force between two objects, which does not have to do with acceleration. Galileo's bowling ball experiment proved that size and amount of mass do not matter.
2007-09-27 10:00:41 · answer #1 · answered by peteryoung144 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
There is a so-called universal gravitational constant: G
Force = G(m1xm2)/d^2 (I believe).
On earth, the mass of the earth is constant, basically, and the d (distance between centers of the masses) is more or less the same everywhere on earth, so we approximate the gravitational accelleration with the constant, little g - so the equation reduces to: f = mg
That is why for most mechanical physics problems in texts and such - they use f=mg where g is normally estimated by 9.8.
But yes, the gravitational constant does change with distance, mass - but not size - of objects (although size is generally related to the mass).
2007-09-27 17:03:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't vary with size. Only with the mass involved and the distance.
Doug
2007-09-27 17:05:15 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just distance and amount of matter.
F = G (m * M) /R
2007-09-27 17:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by hmata3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋