What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth?

Key Points

• The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is 9.8 m/s².
• This value is derived from the universal law of gravitation formulated by Isaac Newton.
• The formula used to calculate gravitational acceleration is g = G*M/R², where G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the Earth, and R is the radius of the Earth.
• Gravitational acceleration is crucial for various scientific calculations, including projectile motion, orbital mechanics, and free-fall experiments.
• This value is an average and can vary slightly depending on your location on the Earth's surface, such as altitude and latitude.
• The standard value of 9.8 m/s² is used in most educational and scientific contexts to simplify calculations and provide a common reference point.