1–14

1–14 The value of the gravitational acceleration gdecreases
with elevation from 9.807 m/s2
at sea level to 9.767 m/s2at an altitude of 13,000 m, where large passenger planes cruise.
Determine the percent reduction in the weight of an airplane
cruising at 13,000 m relative to its weight at sea level.
ANS
1-14Gravitational acceleration g and thus the weightof bodies decreases withincreasing elevation. The
percentreduction inthe weightof an airplane cruising at13,000 mistobe determined.
PropertiesThe gravitational acceleration g isgiven tobe 9.807 m/s2atsea leveland 9.767 m/s2at an
altitude of 13,000 m.
Analysis Weight is proportional to the gravitational acceleration g, and thus the
percent  reduction in  weight  isequivalenttothe percentreduction inthe
gravitational acceleration, which is determined from