- #1
Jon.G
- 45
- 0
I was looking through a textbook, and read that the value of g was determined to be exactly 9.80665 ms-2.
I just started wondering why do we need to know it to that accuracy? Was it necessary for certain experiments? Or did people just want to know?
Then I started to think about why we might need to know the value of g, and I was quite surprised when I couldn't really think of anything. What are the applications of knowing the value of g?
My first thought was that of rockets etc. but then as their altitude increases, g will vary, so knowing the value at ground/sea level will not be the whole story.
:) Thanks
I just started wondering why do we need to know it to that accuracy? Was it necessary for certain experiments? Or did people just want to know?
Then I started to think about why we might need to know the value of g, and I was quite surprised when I couldn't really think of anything. What are the applications of knowing the value of g?
My first thought was that of rockets etc. but then as their altitude increases, g will vary, so knowing the value at ground/sea level will not be the whole story.
:) Thanks