Final answer:
If a piece of ice weighs 50.0 N at the surface of the Earth, its mass is 5.10 kg.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weight of an object is the force with which it is pulled towards the center of the Earth. On the surface of the Earth, the weight of an object is equal to its mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity.
So, if a piece of ice weighs 50.0 N at the surface of the Earth, its weight is equal to 50.0 N. The mass of the ice can be calculated by dividing the weight by the acceleration due to gravity.
Using the formula w = mg, where w is the weight, m is the mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity, we can rearrange the formula to solve for mass: m = w/g. Plugging in the given values, the mass of the ice is:
m = 50.0 N / 9.8 m/s² = 5.10 kg