Acceleration of Gravity vs. Latitude and Elevation
Acceleration of gravity due to latitude and elevation above sea level.
Acceleration of gravity at sea level and elevation related to north-south position on earth (degrees latitude):
Acceleration of Gravity vs. Latitude and Elevation (m/s2)
Acceleration of Gravity vs. Latitude (ft/s2)
Example - Time for Falling Object to Hit the Ground on the Pole or on the Equator
The distance traveled after some time by a free falling object can be expressed as:
s = 1/2 ag t2
where
s = distance (m, ft)
ag = acceleration of gravity (m/s2, ft/s2)
t = time (s)
The acceleration of gravity is stronger at the poles than at equator and the equation above can be modified to
t = (2 s / ag)1/2
The time for an object at level 1 m to hit the ground on the pole can be calculated as:
t = (2 (1 m) / (9.832 m/s2))1/2
= 0.4510 s
The time for an object at level 1 m to hit the ground on the equator can be calculated as:
t = (2 (1 m) / (9.78 m/s2))1/2
= 0.4522 s
Example - The Weight of a Large Man in Canada vs. Venezuela
The acceleration of gravity in Canada at latitude 60 degrees is approximately 9.818 m/s2 and the acceleration of gravity in Venezuela at latitude 5 degrees is approximately 9.782 m/s2.
The weight - or gravity force - of a large man with mass 100 kg in Canada can be calculated as
Fg = (100 kg) (9.818 m/s2)
= 982 N
The weight the man in Venezuela can be calculated as
Fg = (100 kg) (9.782 m/s2)
= 978 N
