In the absence of significant local mass anomalies, in which direction is Earth’s gravitational acceleration vector $g$ always directed at a point near Earth’s surface?

• A. Toward the center of the Earth (radially inward)
• B. Always tangent to Earth’s surface in the direction of Earth’s rotation
• C. Always vertically upward, away from Earth’s surface
• D. Always toward the North Pole, parallel to Earth’s axis of rotation

Answer: (A)