How does the altitude affect the gravitational field strength?

The gravitational field strength decreases as altitude increases.

As an object moves further away from the Earth's surface, the distance between the object and the Earth's center increases. This results in a decrease in the gravitational force acting on the object, which is proportional to the inverse square of the distance between the two objects. Therefore, as altitude increases, the gravitational field strength decreases.

This can be mathematically represented by the equation F = GmM/r^2, where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m and M are the masses of the two objects, and r is the distance between them. As r increases, the force decreases.

The effect of altitude on the gravitational field strength is also evident in the weight of objects. An object's weight is equal to its mass multiplied by the gravitational field strength. As the gravitational field strength decreases with altitude, so does the weight of objects. This is why astronauts in space experience weightlessness, as they are far enough from the Earth's surface that the gravitational force acting on them is negligible.

In conclusion, altitude has a significant effect on the gravitational field strength. As altitude increases, the gravitational force acting on objects decreases, resulting in a decrease in weight and a feeling of weightlessness in space.