The tables below provide data obtained at different geographical locations on Earth. Table 1 shows data gathered from locations at similar, although not identical, latitudes but at various elevations.
Table 2 shows data gathered at various latitudes but at approximately the same elevation.
Based on the knowledge gained in your study of gravitation, you should be able to make a
variety of inferences from these data. To help you do this, prepare one graph for each set of data. For
the data given in Table 1, graph elevation versus gravitational field strength. For the data in Table 2,
graph latitude versus gravitational field strength.
Table 1

Location Elevation (m) Gravitational Field Strength (N/kg)
Richmond, VA 30 9.7996
Baltimore, MD 30 9.8009
Terra Haute, IN 151 9.8007
Charleston, WV 184 9.7993
Kansas City, MO 278 9.7999
Asheville, NC 670 9.7960
Salt Lake City, UT 1322 9.7980
Las Vegas, NV 1960 9.7920

Table 2

Location Latitude (°) Gravitational Field Strength (N/kg)
Batavia, Java 6 9.782
Honolulu, HI 21 9.790

Apalachicola, FL 29 9.793
Hoboken, NJ 40 9.803
Vancouver, Canada 49 9.810
Helsinki, Finland 60 9.819
Karajak, Greenland 70 9.825

1. Based on the general trends in both of the tables, describe the geographic locations on Earth
where gravitational field strength would be the least and where would it be the greatest.
Explain your answer.

2. Does there appear to be a stronger correlation between gravitational field strength and
elevation or between gravitational field strength and latitude? Explain.

3. Explain the general relationship shown in Table 1. Include the formula for gravitational field
strength in your answer.

4. What can you conclude about the higher latitudes and their distance from Earth’s center?

5. Considering the daily rotation of Earth about a central axis, create a hypothesis that accounts
for your answer to question 4.