Answered

If [tex]\( M \)[/tex] is the mass of the Earth and [tex]\( R \)[/tex] is its radius, what is the ratio of the gravitational acceleration to the gravitational constant?

(a) [tex]\(\frac{R^2}{M}\)[/tex]

(b) [tex]\(\frac{M}{R^2}\)[/tex]

(c) [tex]\(MR^2\)[/tex]

(d) [tex]\(\frac{M}{R}\)[/tex]

Space for your working:



Answer :

To determine the ratio of the gravitational acceleration (g) to the gravitational constant (G), we need to start by understanding the relationship between them.

1. Gravitational Acceleration (g):
The formula for the gravitational acceleration at the surface of a planet (in this case, the Earth) is given by:
[tex]\[ g = \frac{G \cdot M}{R^2} \][/tex]
where:
- [tex]\( G \)[/tex] is the universal gravitational constant.
- [tex]\( M \)[/tex] is the mass of the Earth.
- [tex]\( R \)[/tex] is the radius of the Earth.

2. Ratio of [tex]\( g \)[/tex] to [tex]\( G \)[/tex]:
We are required to find the ratio [tex]\( \frac{g}{G} \)[/tex].

Substitute the formula for [tex]\( g \)[/tex] into this ratio:
[tex]\[ \frac{g}{G} = \frac{\frac{G \cdot M}{R^2}}{G} \][/tex]

3. Simplify the Expression:
Simplify the fraction by canceling out [tex]\( G \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \frac{g}{G} = \frac{G \cdot M}{R^2 \cdot G} = \frac{M}{R^2} \][/tex]

Therefore, the ratio of the gravitational acceleration (g) to the gravitational constant (G) is [tex]\( \frac{M}{R^2} \)[/tex].

So, the correct answer is:
(b) [tex]\(\frac{M}{R^2}\)[/tex]