# A student states: 'The gravitational field around the Earth is uniform everywhere.' Evaluate this statement.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.7.2 Gravitational Fields · Evaluate · 5 marks

> The gravitational field strength at the Earth's surface is approximately 9.8 N/kg. At the top of a mountain it is slightly less. In orbit, astronauts appear to float.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The statement is incorrect / the field is not uniform everywhere
2. Gravitational field strength decreases with increasing distance from the centre of the Earth
3. Close to the Earth's surface the field can be approximated as uniform / field lines are approximately parallel and equally spaced near the surface
4. Further from the Earth the field lines spread out / the field becomes radial
5. A gravitational field exists around any object with mass / the field exists in the space around the Earth and acts on any mass placed in it

## Key terms

- [gravitational field](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gravitational-field)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Evaluate" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-states-the-gravitational-field-0428a2b0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.