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The acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface depends on:

1. the size of the body
2. the gravitational mass of the body
3. the gravitational mass of the Earth
4. none of the above factors

Correct answer: the gravitational mass of the Earth

Solution

The acceleration due to gravity is g = G M_earth / R_earth². It depends on the mass and radius of the Earth, not on the mass or size of the object being attracted. Among the options, it depends on the gravitational mass of the Earth.

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