Answer the following questions :
What is the acceleration due to gravity?

Explanation

Acceleration due to gravity:
The gravitational force due to earth on a body results inits acceleration. This is called acceleration due to gravity. It is denoted by g.
Expression for acceleration due to gravity :
(i) Suppose an object of mass m is suitable at a distance R from the centre of the earth.
(ii) Let M be the mass of the earth, then the gravitational force of attraction F between the object and the earth is given by ,
`F=G(Mm)/(R^2)`
Where G = constant of gravitation
`therefore F/m = G(M)/(R^2) " " ...(1)`
(iii) But acceleration is given by acceleration due to gravity .
`g=F/m " " ...(2)`
(iv) From equations (1) and (2) , we have acceleration due to gravity on the earth's surface ,
`g=(GM)/(R^2)`
(v) From the above relation, acceleration due to gravity on earth's surface depends upon the mass of the earth M and distance R of the object from the centre of the earth i.e., the radius of the earth .