Why is 9.8 used as g on Earth but nowhere else in the solar system? Explain.
Huh? g is not 9.8 on Earth.
the acceleration at Earth's surface is 9.8m/s^2. The gravitational field at Earth is 9.8N/kg
Why that number? The mass of the Earth, and the diameter of Earth determine it.
g=G*MassEarth/radiusEarth^2
Because of the affect gravity and the atmosphere on Earth which is currently unique in the solar system.
The value 9.8 represents the acceleration due to gravity, often denoted as "g," on Earth. It is derived from a combination of factors including the mass of the Earth, the distance from the center of the Earth to its surface, and the gravitational constant.
To understand why 9.8 is used as the standard value for g on Earth, we need to look into Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that every object in the universe attracts every other object with a force directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
The mass of the Earth, the distance to its surface, and the gravitational constant are all fixed values. By using these values in Newton's law, we can calculate the acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface, which is approximately 9.8 m/s².
However, it is important to note that the acceleration due to gravity is not the same everywhere on Earth. It varies slightly from location to location due to factors such as the Earth's shape, altitude, and local geology. Nonetheless, 9.8 m/s² is a suitable average value.
When it comes to other celestial bodies in the solar system, each object has its own unique mass and radius, making the acceleration due to gravity different on each planet or moon. For example, the Moon has a weaker gravitational pull than Earth, resulting in a lower acceleration due to gravity, while massive gas giants like Jupiter have much stronger gravity.
To find the value of g on other celestial bodies, scientists use a similar approach to what was done on Earth. They measure the object's mass and radius, and then apply Newton's law of universal gravitation to calculate the acceleration due to gravity on its surface. This is why the value of g varies throughout the solar system.