Question

An astronaut's boots weigh 100 N on Earth where the acceleration of free fall is 10 m/s2. How much will they weigh on Mars where the acceleration of free fall is 4 m/s2 ?

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we can use the formula for weight:

W = m * g

where W is the weight, m is the mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Since we are given the weight of the boots on Earth, we can solve for the mass as follows:

W = m * g

100 N = m * 10 m/s^2

m = 10 kg

Now we can use the mass to calculate the weight on Mars using the same formula but with the acceleration due to gravity on Mars:

W = m * g

W = 10 kg * 4 m/s^2

W = 40 N

Therefore, the boots would weigh 40 N on Mars where the acceleration of free fall is 4 m/s^2.