broad question... (2 Viewers)

[shady145]

a student states gravity is 9.8ms^-2
discuss this statement (6 marks) its from CSSA 2006
is this question too broad to answer do u think...
do i talk about varying gravity on earth due to -different altitudes-deifferent density of material - equitorial boulge-large masses near you eg a mountain-... state g=Gm/r^2
this statement is taken as the average value of g on the earths surface...
talk about gravity? interaction of matter XD
... many things but what 6 points are msot important?

 

[untouchablecuz]

a student states gravity is 9.8ms^-2
discuss this statement (6 marks) its from CSSA 2006
is this question too broad to answer do u think...
do i talk about varying gravity on earth due to -different altitudes-deifferent density of material - equitorial boulge-large masses near you eg a mountain-... state g=Gm/r^2
this statement is taken as the average value of g on the earths surface...
talk about gravity? interaction of matter XD
... many things but what 6 points are msot important?

personally:

-talk about newtons law of universal gravitation, then relate this to g on earth stating what gravity is
-proceed to critically analyse the statement made:

>the statement is false since gravity is not an "acceleration" but rather the net force exerted by a celestial object upon objects in its vicinity
>state that 9.8m/s^2 is the acceleration due to gravity upon objects within the gravitational field of the earth
>gravity changes depending upon the planet
>assuming the statement is correct, the statement makes a false generalisation (regardless of how minor it is), as the value of gravity varies. proceed to talk about what factors effect the value of g, including the equation if u like

 

[darkchild69]

What i would think:

1. Saying "gravity is..." is wrong, it is acceleration due to gravity
2. Is the student referring to gravity being 9.8ms^-2 everywhere in the universe? Obviously wrong (mention Newtons Law of universal gravitation) and how this value reflects the average value for g at Earth's surface
3. Acceleration is a vector, therefore has a magnitude and direction, more correctly acceleration due to gravity on Earths surface is -9.8ms^-2
4/5. I would list two or three things which can affect the value of acceleration due to gravity (altitude, density, shape of Earth, centrifugal forces)
6. Since is was "discuss" now make some sort of concluding statement and make a judgement (Obviously a misstatement as the information the student gave was just not accurate enough to give it any merit -- recap on reasons given)