The approximate gravitational field strength near Earth's surface in newtons per kilogram is:

The approximate gravitational field strength near Earth's surface in newtons per kilogram is:

• A. 9.8 m/s^2
• B. 9.8 newtons per kilogram
• C. 9.8 N
• D. 9.8 C/kg

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that gravitational field strength (g) is the force per unit mass: g = F/m. Since force is measured in newtons and mass in kilograms, the units come out to newtons per kilogram (N/kg). Because 1 N = 1 kg·m/s^2, N/kg also equals m/s^2, so g is numerically about 9.8 and can be expressed as either 9.8 N/kg or 9.8 m/s^2. Near Earth’s surface, g is about 9.8 N/kg, which is the same magnitude as 9.8 m/s^2 but expressed in the requested units. The option with 9.8 m/s^2 gives the same value in acceleration units, but the question asks for N/kg. The option 9.8 N denotes a force, not a field, and 9.8 C/kg has nothing to do with gravity.

The key idea is that gravitational field strength (g) is the force per unit mass: g = F/m. Since force is measured in newtons and mass in kilograms, the units come out to newtons per kilogram (N/kg). Because 1 N = 1 kg·m/s^2, N/kg also equals m/s^2, so g is numerically about 9.8 and can be expressed as either 9.8 N/kg or 9.8 m/s^2.

Near Earth’s surface, g is about 9.8 N/kg, which is the same magnitude as 9.8 m/s^2 but expressed in the requested units. The option with 9.8 m/s^2 gives the same value in acceleration units, but the question asks for N/kg. The option 9.8 N denotes a force, not a field, and 9.8 C/kg has nothing to do with gravity.