Final answer:
The mass of an object that experiences a gravitational force of 685 N on Earth is calculated using the formula for gravitational force. The correct mass, after the calculation, is closest to option b) 68.5 kg.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass of an object that experiences a gravitational force of 685 N near Earth's surface can be calculated using the formula for gravitational force, w = mg, where w is the weight or gravitational force in newtons, m is the mass in kilograms, and g is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.80 m/s² on Earth. To find the mass, we rearrange the formula to solve for m: m = w/g. Substituting in the given values, we have:
m = 685 N / 9.80 m/s²
m = 69.9 kg
The closest answer to this calculation is option b) 68.5 kg.