Question

An objects weight at sea level at 90 degrees North latitude is slightly more than the weight of the same object at sea level at 0 degrees latitude. Which statement about Earth can best be inferred from this sentence.

A. Earth's gravitational field strength is weaker at 90 degrees North latitude compared to 0 degrees latitude.
B. Earth's gravitational field strength is stronger at 90 degrees North latitude compared to 0 degrees latitude.
C. Earth's atmospheric pressure is lower at 90 degrees North latitude compared to 0 degrees latitude.
D. Earth's atmospheric pressure is higher at 90 degrees North latitude compared to 0 degrees latitude.

Answer 1

An object weighs more at 90 degrees North latitude compared to at the equator because Earth's gravitational field strength is stronger at the poles due to the shorter distance from the Earth's center.

Step-by-step explanation:

The observation that an object's weight at sea level at 90 degrees North latitude is slightly more than the weight of the same object at sea level at 0 degrees latitude can be attributed to variations in Earth's gravitational field strength. The gravitational force on an object is dependent on both the mass of the Earth and the distance from the center of the Earth to the object. Considering that Earth is not a perfect sphere and is slightly bulged at the equator (0 degrees latitude) due to rotation, the radius is about 30 km greater at the equator compared to the poles (90 degrees North). This means that an object at the equator is further away from Earth's center compared to the poles, consequently experiencing a weaker gravitational pull at the equator than at the poles.

As a result, the most accurate inference from the given sentence is that Earth's gravitational field strength is stronger at 90 degrees North latitude compared to 0 degrees latitude, which explains why an object would weigh slightly more at the North Pole compared to the equator. Hence, option B is correct.