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On the Earth's surface, at which location is the value of $g$ the highest?
AAt the poles
BAt the equator
COn Mount Everest
DAt sea level near the equator
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. At the poles
1. The Earth bulges at the equator and is flatter at the poles, so its radius is largest at the equator and smallest at the poles.
2. Since $g = \dfrac{GM}{R^2}$, a smaller $R$ gives a larger $g$.
3. So $g$ is highest at the poles (9.832 m/s$^2$) and lowest at the equator (9.78 m/s$^2$).
4. Equatorial locations have the largest radius, hence the smallest $g$, ruling those out.
_Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 1 "Gravitation", p.17_
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