Final answer:
The figure 3 × 10^5 kg most likely represents the mass of the space shuttle, as it's comparable to the mass of large space entities like the International Space Station.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we see 3 × 10^5 kg, this figure is not close to the mass of either Earth or the space shuttle. Therefore, options 1) the difference between Earth's mass and the space shuttle's mass, 2) the sum of Earth's mass and the space shuttle's mass, and 3) the mass of Earth are not correct. The mass of Earth is given as 5.97 × 10^24 kg, which is vastly greater than 3 × 10^5 kg. However, when we compare it to the mass of the International Space Station, which is approximately 370,000 kg (370 × 10^3 kg), we can see that 3 × 10^5 kg is in the same ballpark and could represent the mass of a large space structure or vehicle like the space shuttle. Therefore, the correct answer is 4) the mass of the space shuttle.
Mass is a property of a physical body and a measure of its resistance to acceleration when a force is applied. It is also a measure of the amount of matter in the object. Weight, on the other hand, is the force exerted on an object due to gravity, and it can change with the location of the object in space. If you weigh 180 pounds on Earth, your weight on the Moon would be approximately one-sixth, since the Moon’s gravity is weaker.