Gravitation: g at Equator vs Poles MCQ

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g at Equator vs PolesEasyQuestion 30708

Question

g is slightly less at the equator than at the poles because:

A
Earth is oblate (fatter at equator, so surface is farther from centre) and Earth's rotation provides centrifugal effect
Correct
B
Temperature is higher at equator
C
Air pressure is lower at equator
D
Equatorial mass is less dense

Correct answer

Earth is oblate (fatter at equator, so surface is farther from centre) and Earth's rotation provides centrifugal effect

Explanation

Two reasons: (1) Equatorial radius > polar radius → larger r → smaller g. (2) Earth's rotation → centrifugal effect reduces effective g. Combined: g_equator ≈ 9.78 m/s², g_poles ≈ 9.83 m/s².

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