Q.

Prove that the due to sum of centripetal acceleration, radius and mass effect the difference in gravity from equator to pole is 5.17 gal? Ans. There are three factors that can affect the value of gravity when we move from equator to pole. Because of these factors the difference in gravity from equator to pole is 5.17 gal. We get is lowest value at equator and highest at pole. These factors are given under as. 1. Centripetal Acceleration 2. Free Air Factor 3. Mass Effect 1. Centripetal Acceleration The earth is rotating around an axis passing through the North and South poles. We know that if a body rotates, it experiences an outward directed force known as a centrifugal force. The size of this force is proportional to the distance from the axis of rotation and the rate at which the rotation is occurring. For our gravimeter located on the surface of the earth, the rate of rotation does not vary with position, but the distance between the rotational axis and the gravity meter does vary. The size of the centrifugal force is relatively large at the equator and goes to zero at the poles. The direction this force acts is always away from the axis of rotation. Therefore, this force acts to reduce the gravitational acceleration. Centripetal acceleration is given =
2

= Angular velocity a = equatorial radius a= 6.38 X108 cm = /T = angle of rotation = 2 T = time in second T = 24 hrs = 86400 sec =2

1 1

= = +3.39 gal

X 6.38 X108

Since, centrifugal acceleration reduces the effect of the g so we will always add its effect i.e. sign will be positive. 2. Free Air Factor or Effect of Radius The elliptical shape of the earth causes the gravitational acceleration to vary with latitude because the distance between the gravimeter and the earth's center varies with latitude. The difference in earth radii measured at the poles and at the equator is 21-22 km (this value represents a change in earth radius of only 0.3%), this can produce a measurable change in the gravitational acceleration with latitude. Re >Rp gp>ge As we know the value of g absolute go = G Me / R2 Let, Re = Rp + h Gravity at pole equator is ge g = G Me / (R + h) 2 g = G Me /R2 (1 + h/ R) 2 g = G Me /R2 (1 + h/ R) 2 g = (G Me /R2) [1 + h/ R] -2 g = go [1 + h/ R] -2 g = go [1 - 2h/ R + 3(h/R)2 + .] Since, R>>>>h g = go [1 -2 h/ R + neglecting higher value.] g = go [1 -2 h/ R]

g = go [2 go h/ R] go g = 2 go h/ R
2 2

= go g = 2 go h/ R.. (A)

go = 987.829 gals R = 6.38 X108 cm h = 21km = 2100000 cm

2

= (2 X 2100000 X 987.829)/ 6.38 X108

Since, increase in radius reduces the effect of the g so we will add its effect i.e. sign will be positive.
2

= +6.63 gals 3. Mass Effect

As discuss above that the elliptical shape of the earth causes the gravitational acceleration to vary with latitude because the distance between the gravimeter and the earth's center varies with latitude. The difference in earth radii measured at the poles and at the equator is only 21 km. This huge difference in radii causes excess mass on the equator and mass deficiency as on the pole. Image a horizontal plane through the point P, so that there is a plate between the point P and the geoid. The attraction dV of the mass element dm on P can be obtained easily when the cylindrical coordinates r, , z are used. It is dV= G dm /d2 From figure The mass element dm can be written as dm = Where, is the density of the mass element. Then dV becomes dV =

The vertical component dZ of this attraction is dZ = dV.cos = By putting cos = z/d, and the value of dV Since, d= dZ = We integrate the this expression between the limit 0< < , then
Figure.1. The vertical attraction of the mass element at point P.

r1 < r < r 2 h1 < z < h2 We get the vertical attraction Z of a cylindrical ring with the radii r1 and r2 and the height h1----h2 at the point Pas shown in figure 2. Z=

-0=
Figure.2. To calculate the Bouguer reduction the topography around the gravity station is distributed in circular cylinder and the effect of these cylindrical rings is computed.

= =

= =-[
( ) ( )

=[
( ) ( )

Equation (B) becomes Z=

( ) ( )

From above equation if we substitute r1 = 0, r2 = , and h1 = 0, we get the vertical attraction Z of the infinite horizontal rock layer of thickness h as in figure 3. Z = = = = = Z = We know g = G M /R2 M= v
Figure.3

Volume of the sphere v= M= g= G R /

g= G

G= Z = gB = Z = .(B)

From equation (A) From

2

= - gB = = = (1 2 (1

) )

Using
2

= +6.63 gals = 5.17 gm/cm3

3=

- 4.85 gal

Since, excess mass increases the effect of the g at equator so we will subtract its effect i.e. sign will be negative.