A spherical planet has mass Mₚ and diameter Dₚ. What acceleration due to gravity does a freely falling particle experience near its surface?
Options

Question

A spherical planet has mass Mₚ and diameter Dₚ. What acceleration due to gravity does a freely falling particle experience near its surface?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: The radius is Rₚ=Dₚ/2. Step 2: Free-fall acceleration is gₚ=GMₚ/Rₚ²=4GMₚ/Dₚ²; the test-particle mass cancels. Final answer: A — 4GMₚ/Dₚ².