Answer to Question #174456 in Classical Mechanics for Rohan

Question

At the equator (under standard assumption about earth)

(a) the direction of a static plumb line goes through the centre of the earth

(b) the value of g-effective is same as GM/R²

(c) As seen from the earth frame, a particle released from rest at a height falls in vertical direction only 

(d) As seen from the earth frame, a particle released from rest at a height deviates towards east as it falls.

Answer 1

Answer

At the equator the value of g-effective is same as GM/R.

So option (b) is correct.