An astronaut uses a laboratory balance and weighs an object on earth and again on the moon.Which statement below about the weight and mass of the object is true?
A)The mass and weight will be identical on the earth and the moon.
B)The mass will be the same on earth and moon but the weight will be less on the moon.
C)The weight will be the same on earth and moon but the mass will be less on the moon.
D)Both the mass and weight will be different on earth and moon.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mass of the object will remain the same on earth and moon because mass is an intrinsic property of the object. However, weight is a force and depends on the acceleration due to gravity. As the gravitational acceleration on the moon is about one-sixth of that on earth, the weight of the object will be less on the moon.

An Astronaut Uses a Laboratory Balance and Weighs an Object