Physics

Problem

(a) Show that, for heights

h

small compared with Earth’s radius

R

, the fractional decrease in the weight of a body is approximately

2h/R

. (b) Hence calculate the height above the Earth’s surface at which the weight of a body becomes

99\%

of its surface value. Take

R = 6400\,\text{km}

. a. Show that, for heights

h

small compared with Earth’s radius

R

, the fractional decrease in the weight of a body is approximately

2h/R

. b. Hence calculate the height above the Earth’s surface at which the weight of a body becomes

99\%

of its surface value. Take

R = 6400\,\text{km}