Question

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the weight of an astronaut on the moon and the Earth? The weight of the astronaut is the same on both. The weight of the astronaut on the moon is greater than the weight of the astronaut on the Earth. The weight of the astronaut on the moon is less than the weight of the astronaut on the Earth. The weight of the astronaut on the moon is half the weight of the astronaut on the Earth.

Answer 1

The mass of the astronaut is the same on both, but weight is actually a force and it depends on the acceleration due to gravity. On the moon, the acceleration due to gravity is 1/6 of the Earth’s so the astronaut’s weight will be 1/6 lighter on the moon.

Answer 2

The weight of the astronaut on the moon is less than the weight of the astronaut on the Earth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Matter contained in a body is known as mass. It remains constant even if one goes to another celestial body. Weight is the force due to gravity acting on a mass. Since, gravitational force varies at each celestial body, the weight also changes.

The acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is
`(1)/(6)^(th)` the acceleration due to gravity on the Earth. Therefore, the astronaut would weigh less on moon than on the Earth. His weight would be
`(1)/(6)^(th)` of that on Earth.