Question

The weight of an astronaut plus their space suit on the Moon is only 250 N. (a) How much does the suited astronaut weigh on Earth? (b) What is the mass on the Moon? On Earth?

a) (a) 1,625 N, (b) 25.5 kg on the Moon, 165 kg on Earth
b) (a) 1,625 N, (b) 25.5 kg on the Moon, 250 kg on Earth
c) (a) 2,500 N, (b) 40.0 kg on the Moon, 250 kg on Earth
d) (a) 2,500 N, (b) 40.0 kg on the Moon, 165 kg on Earth

Answer 1

The suited astronaut would weigh 1500 N on Earth and the mass is approximately 25.5 kg on both the Moon and Earth.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the weight of the suited astronaut on Earth, we need to convert the weight on the Moon to Earth's gravitational force. The weight of an object is given by the formula:

Weight = Mass x Acceleration due to gravity

On the Moon, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 1/6th of that on Earth. Therefore, the suited astronaut would weigh 6 times more on Earth than on the Moon. Thus, the suited astronaut would weigh 6 x 250 N = 1500 N on Earth.

We know that Weight = Mass x Acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, Mass = Weight / Acceleration due to gravity.

On the Moon, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 1/6th of that on Earth.

Therefore, the mass of the suited astronaut on the Moon would be 250 N / 1.67 m/s² ≈ 25.5 kg, and on Earth, it would be 250 N / 9.8 m/s² ≈ 25.5 kg.