How is G a constant if gravitational acceleration toward the earth is different from the moon regardless of mass? See details…?
Question
If an object accelerates toward earth at 9.8 m/s^2 at the surface regardless of mass and an object accelerates toward the moon at 1.622 m/s^2 at the surface regardless of mass then how is their a gravitational constant if an object that weighs 16.55 pounds on earth is accelerating toward the moon at 1.622 m/s^2 and an object that weighs 100 pounds on earth is accelerating toward the earth at 9.8m/s^2?
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General Physics
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Answer ( 1 )
G, the gravitational constant, is constant everywhere.
g = G * (mass of Earth) / (Radius of Earth)^2 = 9.81 m/s^2 is also a constant, but it isn’t relevant anywhere except at the surface of Earth.
G * (mass of Moon) / (Radius of Moon)^2 = 1.62 m/s^2 should not be referred to as g.