What is the difference in gals between the equator and the poles?

Answer 1

(*This question is actually asking what the difference in gravity is at the equator as compared to the poles, because you are closer to the Earth's center at the poles. The "gals" refers to the gal or Galileo non-SI unit of acceleration, equal to 0.01 m/sec2.)

The answer is that gravity should be stronger at the poles than at the equator, because you are closer to the center of mass. A difference is also caused by the same "centrifugal force" that is causing the planet to bulge. The difference in gravitic acceleration is .043 m/sec2 or about 0.5% higher weight at the poles.

However, this ignores that the spin of the Earth also affects its interior structure, and that the distribution of continents actually makes the Earth an "inverted pear" in shape. The local differences in rock density, and crustal thickness, can have more of an effect than elevation or distance from the Earth's center.

Given these effects, the measured variation between the North Pole and an equatorial average was 0.35% (A mass weighing 100 pounds at the North Pole weighed 99.65 pounds at an average point on the Equator).

Previous Answers

For "gals" (gender), there are more in tropical South America, Africa, and Indonesia than at the poles (just Eskimo woman up north, a few scientists down south).

For "gales" (winds), the high-pressure systems at both poles kick up substantial winds, and they are incredibly cold. The "trade winds" along the Equator are considerably less severe, except in thunderstorms or on high mountains in Ecuador and Kenya.

Answer 2

The difference in gravity between the equator and the poles is primarily due to the Earth's rotation. At the equator, the centrifugal force caused by the Earth's rotation reduces the effective gravity, making it weaker compared to the poles. This difference is approximately 0.5% of the total gravitational force.