Question

Jupiter has a gravitational constant of 24.79 m/s^2. If a space probe is 25 meters above the planet's surface, it generates 25000 J (Joules) to escape. How much does the probe weigh?

Please answer quickly, and 50 points to whoever answers.

Answer 1

Acceleration has the units of meters per second squared - which means an object will gain a velocity of x meters per second every second. On the surface of the Earth the acceleration of gravity is 9.80 m s^2. With no air resistance an object will go from 0 m/s to 9.8 m/s in the first second, and to 19.6 m/s in the 2nd second, and to 29.4 m/s in the 3rd second, and so on.