Consider an apple at the top of a tree that is pulled by earth gravity with a force of 1 N. If the tree were twice as tall, would the force of gravity be only 1/4 as strong?
Dear Student,
No, because the twice-as-tall tree is not twice as far from earth's centre. The tree's height would have to be equal to the radius of the earth before the force on apple reduces to 1/4 N. Before its weight reduces by 1%, the apple or any object must be raised 32 km above the surface of earth - nearly four times the height of Mount Everest. So as a practical matter, we disregard the effects of everyday changes in elevation.
Regards
No, because the twice-as-tall tree is not twice as far from earth's centre. The tree's height would have to be equal to the radius of the earth before the force on apple reduces to 1/4 N. Before its weight reduces by 1%, the apple or any object must be raised 32 km above the surface of earth - nearly four times the height of Mount Everest. So as a practical matter, we disregard the effects of everyday changes in elevation.
Regards