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Yes. To be clear, we have to consider size and mass separately. The gravity of an object increases with greater mass, but decreases with greater distance from the center

If two planets have the same mass, but different sizes (meaning they have different densities) then the larger planet will have weaker gravity because the surface is farther from the center.

Traditionally, the equation for finding the acceleration due to gravity is:

g=G*m/(r^2)

where G is a constant calculated to get the correct units, m is the mass in kilograms, and r^2 is the square of the distance from the center of mass as measured in meters. For finding the surface gravity of a planet, us the planet's radius for r.

However, you can use a shortcut of this equation by tweaking the units:

g=M/(R^2) where M is mass in Earth masses and R is the radius in Earth radii. By plugging in the mass and radius of a planet relative to that of Earth, you get gravity relative to Earth's surface gravity.

For example, Jupiter is 318 times the mass of Earth and has about 11.2 times the radius. If we plug that into our equation g=318/(11.2^2)= 318/125.44 = 2.53. So Jupiter's "surface" gravity is about 2.5 times that of Earth.

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Is there a relationship between the distance a planet is from the sun and its surface gravity?

Yes, there is a relationship between a planet's distance from the sun and its surface gravity. The closer a planet is to the sun, the stronger the gravitational pull from the sun, which can affect the planet's own gravity. However, other factors, such as a planet's mass and composition, also play a significant role in determining its surface gravity.


Does a planet have less gravity if it is further away from the sun?

No. The surface gravity of a planet is a product of its size and mass. It has nothing to do with distance from the sun. However, a planet farther away from the sun will experience a weaker pull from the sun's gravity.


What effects does gravity have on planets orbit?

Gravity, together with the planet's total kinetic and potential energy, completely determines the size and shape of the orbit.


What is the link between the suns gravity and the motion of a planet?

The Sun's gravity causes a planet to move in its orbit. The Sun's gravity provides a centripetal force. The effects of the Sun's gravity, combined with the planet's inertia (tendency to move in a straight line), results in a planet's elliptical orbit.


Why does gravity differ on didderent planets?

Gravity differs on different planets because it is determined by the mass of the planet. The larger the mass, the stronger the gravitational pull. Each planet has a unique mass and size, resulting in different levels of gravity on each planet.

Related Questions

Is the farther a planet is from the sun have less gravity it has?

No. The strength of gravity on a planet depends on its size and mass.


What is the link between the suns gravity and the motion of a planet in the solar system?

The Sun's gravity causes a planet to orbit the Sun.


How is the planets size related to the pull of its gravity?

The larger the mass of the planet, the greater the force of its gravity.


What planet has a force of gravity with 2.54 times that of Earth?

Jupiter has approximately that surface gravity.


Why is why is there gravity on some planets but not on others?

There is gravity on all planets. The strength of that gravity varies depending on the size and mass of each planet.


How does a planet's size affect its gravity?

The distance between a planet and an object affects the gravitational force between them. That means the size of a planet affects the value of the "surface gravity" for that planet. The greater thedistance from the surface to the center of the planet, the smaller the gravity at the surface (for the same planet mass). An example is the fact that Mars and Mercury have almost exactly the same surface gravity. Mars has more mass than Mercury, but this is balancedby the fact that Mercury hasthe smaller radius.


Is Venus's a gas or rocky planet?

Venus is a rocky planet similar to earth in size, gravity, and bulk composition.


Is there a relationship between the distance a planet is from the sun and its surface gravity?

Yes, there is a relationship between a planet's distance from the sun and its surface gravity. The closer a planet is to the sun, the stronger the gravitational pull from the sun, which can affect the planet's own gravity. However, other factors, such as a planet's mass and composition, also play a significant role in determining its surface gravity.


Does a planet have less gravity if it is further away from the sun?

No. The surface gravity of a planet is a product of its size and mass. It has nothing to do with distance from the sun. However, a planet farther away from the sun will experience a weaker pull from the sun's gravity.


Is it true that the bigger the planet the stronger the gravity?

For the most part, yes. But the actual determining factor for how much gravity a planet has is based on its mass, and since size and mass are often related it is somewhat accurate to say that the bigger the planet is, the more gravity it will have.


Why would escape velocity be different on a different planet?

The escape velocity is determined by the gravity of the planet which in turn is determined by the mass and size of the planet


Would a smaller planet than earth with the same shape and size have more gravity?

If the planet is smaller, then it can't have the same size. If you assume that a smaller planet has the same density as Earth (and therefore less mass), its surface gravity will be smaller. If you assume that a smaller planet has the same mass as Earth (and therefore more density), its surface gravity will be greater. This is because we would be closer to the planet's center - or to the planet's matter in general.