The weight of an object on the moon is approximately what fraction of its weight on Earth?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer:
1/6
Explanation:
The weight of an object on the moon is approximately one-sixth (1/6) of its weight on Earth. This is because the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon is roughly one-sixth of that on Earth, due to the moon's smaller mass and radius. While the mass of an object remains constant everywhere, its weight depends on the gravitational pull acting upon it.
Key Points:
The gravitational pull on the moon is about 1.62 meters per second squared, whereas on Earth it is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared.
Weight is calculated as the product of mass and acceleration due to gravity.
Since gravity on the moon is one-sixth of Earth's gravity, an object weighing 60 Newtons on Earth will weigh only 10 Newtons on the moon.
Important Questions and Answers:
Question: Does the mass of an object change when it is taken from the Earth to the moon?
Answer: No, mass remains constant everywhere, whereas weight changes due to varying gravity.
Question: What is the approximate value of acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon?
Answer: 1.62 meters per second squared.