If an astronaut’s mass is 70 kg, what will be their weight on the Moon (1/6th of Earth’s gravity)?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer:
117 N
Explanation:
Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity, calculated as mass multiplied by acceleration due to gravity. On Earth, taking acceleration due to gravity as approximately 9.8 meters per second squared, the astronaut's weight on Earth is 70 kg multiplied by 9.8, which equals 686 N. Since the Moon's gravity is 1/6th of Earth's gravity, their weight on the Moon is calculated by dividing 686 N by 6, which equals approximately 114.33 N (or using standard approximate exam calculations with g = 10, 70 multiplied by 10 divided by 6 equals 116.67 N, rounding to 117 N).
Key Points:
• Mass remains constant regardless of location, meaning the astronaut's mass is 70 kg everywhere in the universe.
• Weight is a force measured in Newtons, whereas mass is the amount of matter measured in kilograms.
• The Moon's surface gravity is significantly weaker than Earth's, resulting in a much lower weight for the same mass.
Important Questions and Answers:
Question: Does an object's mass change when it is taken from Earth to the Moon?
Answer: No, mass remains constant.
Question: What is the unit of measurement for weight?
Answer: Newton.