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Is the weight of an object more in the poles than at the equator of the Earth?

A) Yes, the weight is more at the poles.
B) No, the weight is the same at both the poles and the equator.
C) Yes, the weight is more at the equator.
D) The weight does not vary with location on Earth.

User Ceinmart
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

An object would weigh slightly more at the poles than at the equator due to the inverse square law of gravity and the centrifugal force due to Earth's rotation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The weight of an object does indeed vary slightly depending on its location on Earth. Weight is the gravitational force acting on an object and is influenced by local gravity which differs from one location to another. Since Earth is not a perfect sphere and is bulging at the equator, the radius is about 30 km greater at the equator compared to the poles. Consequently, due to the law of gravitation which states that the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the distance squared between the object and Earth, an object would weigh slightly more at the poles than at the equator.

Moreover, Earth's rotation leads to a centrifugal force that effectively reduces the gravitational pull on objects at the equator compared to the poles. Therefore, an object would weigh less at the equator than at the poles. In summary, the correct answer to the question is A) Yes, the weight is more at the poles.

User Hennessey
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