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A question about gravity (lemmy.world)

submitted 9 months ago by GardenVarietyAnxiety@lemmy.world to c/physics@mander.xyz

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Is it possible to determine the percentage of the gravitational force at a specified distance using only the geometry of the planet?

Example: The ISS at ~420km altitude "weighs" about 90% of what it would on the Earth's surface.

Is there an equation using only geometrical values that would give you this info?

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[–] mozz@mander.xyz 11 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Force is proportional to m1 * m2 / r^2, so your weight as a percentage of your surface weight is equal to (radius of earth / (radius of earth + height above surface))^2.

[–] GardenVarietyAnxiety@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

Okay, that was way simpler than I thought it might be, lol. Thanks!