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Prior to the reclassification of the major bodies in our solar system, the smallest planet by volume and mass was Pluto. Pluto has a mean surface gravity of 0.062 Earth equivalents.
However, Pluto has been reclassified as a dwarf planet.
This demotes the planet Mercury into last place in terms of volume and mass. You might expect, therefore, Mercury to have the lowest surface gravity of the eight major planets. However, the planet Mars, despite having about twice the mass of Mercury, has a radius about 1000 km larger. So, actually Mars has a fractionally lower mean surface gravity.
Mercury = 0.3772 Earth equivalents
Mars = 0.3769 Earth equivalents
(measured at the equator).
For "surface gravity", the mass of a planet is effectively concentrated at the center (the center of mass). So, the gravitational force is less when the surface is further from the center of mass.
So, a planet's surface gravity increases with its mass, but reduces with its radius.
One of the small contributory factors to this reversal in expected ranking may be due to the comparatively slow rotation of Mercury (58.6 Earth days per rotation with an average speed of 10.9 km/h. Compare Mars: 1.03 Earth days and 868 km/h).
The small rotational speed on Mercury means the outward acting centrifugal effect, which opposes the inward pull of gravity, is small.
(Strictly speaking this only matters when we are talking about what scientists call "apparent surface gravity".)
What else can I help you with?
What classified planet has the least gravity?
Mercury, because it's the smallest if you don't consider Pluto to be a planet.
What is the force of gravity at the surface of the eight planets called?
The force of gravity at the surface of the eight planets is called surface gravity. It is the gravitational pull experienced by objects on the surface of a planet due to its mass.
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.
What planet has the highest surface gravity of all the terrestrial planets?
Earth is the most massive terrestrial planet, so it has the highest surface gravity.
This holds a planet's atmosphere close to its surface?
Gravity holds a planet's atmosphere close to its surface. The gravitational force of the planet's mass prevents the gases in the atmosphere from escaping into space. Without gravity, the atmosphere would disperse into space.
What classified planet has the least gravity?
Mercury, because it's the smallest if you don't consider Pluto to be a planet.
Which planet has the least gravational pull?
Mars has the lowest surface gravity (0.376g), just a little lower than that of Mercury (0.38g
What is the force of gravity at the surface of the eight planets called?
The force of gravity at the surface of the eight planets is called surface gravity. It is the gravitational pull experienced by objects on the surface of a planet due to its mass.
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.
What planet has the highest surface gravity of all the terrestrial planets?
Earth is the most massive terrestrial planet, so it has the highest surface gravity.
Is the pull of gravity from other planets the same as Earth?
No. The gravitational pull at the surface of a planet depends on that planet's mass and radius. Jupiter has the strongest gravity of any planet in the solar system: 2.53 times the surface gravity on Earth. Mercury has the weakest surface gravity at just 37% the gravity on Earth.
What is the force of gravity at the surface of the planet?
weight
What is the planet with the largest surface gravity?
Jupiter
How does gravity affect weight on a planet?
The importantidea here is a planet's "surface gravity". That's the measure of the planet's gravitational "pull"at its surface. The larger this number, the heavier the weight ofan object on the surface of the planet. For example, the "surface gravity" on Mars is only 38% of the Earth's. So, if you could be on the surface of Mars, your weight would be 38% of your weight on Earth.
Is mars the smallest planet in out solar system?
No. Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system, with the lowest mass. Mars has a diameter about 1.4 times that of the denser Mercury, giving them roughly the same surface gravity.
What planet has the lowest surface in your solar system?
pluto
Does the planet Venus have gravity?
Yes. The surface gravity of Venus is about 92% that of the Earth.
