The acceleration due to gravity on the moon is only about 1/6 of that on Earth.An astronaut whose weight on Earth is 600 N travels to the lunar surface.His mass as measured on the moon is
A)600 kg
B)100 kg
C)61.2 kg
D)10.0 kg
E)360 kg

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Weight = Mass x Acceleration due to gravity
On Earth, Weight = 600 N and Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²
Therefore, Mass = Weight / Acceleration due to gravity = 600 N / 9.8 m/s² = 61.224 kg
On the moon, Acceleration due to gravity is only 1/6th of that on Earth.
Therefore, Weight on the moon = Mass x (Acceleration due to gravity on the moon)
Weight on the moon = Mass x (1/6 x 9.8 m/s²)
Weight on the moon = (1/6) x Weight on Earth
Weight on the moon = (1/6) x 600 N = 100 N
Substituting the new weight and the acceleration due to gravity on the moon, we get:
100 N = Mass x (1.63 m/s²)
Therefore, Mass as measured on the moon = 100 N / 1.63 m/s² = 61.35 kg ≈ 61.2 kg.

The Acceleration Due to Gravity on the Moon Is Only