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GES 101 Handout: Gravity
Fundamental Forces
-Electromagnetism
-Nuclear Strong
-Nuclear Weak
Newton's Law of Univ. Gravitation: F = G M1M2/r2
forces equal in magnitude but oppositely directed
Features:
forces act between mass particles
forces are independent of other bodies
Isostasy = gravitational balancing (Earth's crust responds to force of gravity, i.e., any thickness change in crust causes isostatic adjustment)
Gravimeter used for gravity surveying --- search for gravity anomalies
Earth's shape and rotation
Corrections
-topographic variations (free air corr)
-near surface mass (Bauguer corr)
Review Questions Earth's Gravity and Isostasy
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