Question

If the mass of Mars is 0.107 times that of Earth, and its radius is 0.530 that of Earth, estimate the gravitational acceleration g at the surface of Mars. (gearth = 9.80 m/s2

Answer 1

To develop this problem we will use the gravitational equations posed in the Newtonian theory and for which gravity is described as,

$a = \frac{GM_{mars}}{R^2_{mars}}$

Where,

G = Gravitational Universal constant

$M_{mars}$= Mass of mars

$R_{mars}$= Radius of mars

Using the relation given we have,

$a = \frac{G*(0.107*M_e)}{(0.53R_e)^2}$

$a = \frac{GM_E}{R^2_E}*\frac{0.107}{0.53^2}$

The first term is known to all as gravity on earth, which is equivalent to $9.8m / s ^ 2$

$a = 9.8*0.381$

$a = 3.73m/s^2$

Therefore the gravitational acceleration at the surface of Mars is $3.73m/s^2$