F = GMm/r^2 = (6.67*10^-11)(5.98*10^24)(57.0)/(6.38^10^6)^2
= 558.55 N
Hmmm. 9.81 * 57 = 559.17
Must be some rounding error in the calculation, or in the values given.
A woman standing on the surface of the Earth, 6.38 x 106 meters from its center, has a mass of 57.0 kg. If the mass of the Earth is 5.98 x 1024 kg, what is the force of gravity on the woman?
2 answers
the Earth is an oblate spheroid
gravitational force is not uniform over the surface
9.81 is an "average" value
gravitational force is not uniform over the surface
9.81 is an "average" value