Acceleration due to gravity
The acceleration for any object moving under the sole influence of gravity is known as acceleration due to gravity. So, for an object of mass `m,` the acceleration experienced by it is usually denoted by the symbol g which is related to F by Newton’s second law by relation `F= mg`. Thus,
`g=F/m=(GM_e)/(r_e^2)`
Acceleration `g` is readily measurable as `R_e` is a known quantity. The measurement of `G` by Cavendish’s experiment (or otherwise), combined with knowledge of `g and R_e` enables one to estimate `M_e` from the above equation. This is the reason why there is a popular statement regarding Cavendish “Cavendish weighed the earth”. The value of `g` decrease as we go upwards from the earth’s surface or downwards, but it is maximum at its surface
If the mass of the sun is ten times smaller and gravitational constant `G` is ten times larger in magnitude, then for earth,
Options:
(a) walking on ground would become more easy
(b) acceleration due to gravity on the earth will not change
(c) raindrops will fall much slower
(d) airplanes will have to travel much faster