Question

The weight of a 0.5 kg object on the surface of Planet X is 20 N. If the radius of the planet is 4 X 106 m, what is its mass?

Answer 1

The mass of the Planet X is 9.595 x 10²⁴ kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

mass of the object, m = 0.5 kg

radius of the Planet X, r = 4 x 10⁶ m

weight of the object, W = F = 20 N

let the mass of the Planet X = mₓ

Apply Newton's gravitational law;

`F = (Gmm_x)/(r^2) \\\\m_x = (Fr^2)/(Gm) \\\\m_x = ((20)(4* 10^6)^2)/(6.67 * 10^(-11) \ * \ 0.5) \\\\m_x = 9.595 * 10^(24) \ kg`

Therefore, the mass of the Planet X is 9.595 x 10²⁴ kg.