Find the percentage decrease in the weight of the body when taken to a height of 16 km above the surface of Earth. Radius of the Earth is 6400 km.

Explanation

Here, h = 16 km, R = 6400 km
Now, `g'=g(1-(2h)/(R))=g-(2hg)/(R)`
(or) `g-g'=2(gh)/(R)`
`therefore` percentage decrease in weight
`=(mg-mg')/(mg)xx100`
`=(g-g')/(g)xx100=(2gh)/(gR)xx100=(2h)/(R)xx100`
`=2xx(16)/(6400)xx100=0.5%`