Question

a planet has a mass of 6.50 × 1023 kg and a radius of 3.59 × 106 m. (a) what is the acceleration due to gravity on this planet? (b) how much would a 69.6-kg person weigh on this planet?

Answer 1

Hi there!

We can use the following gravitational field equation:

`\large\boxed{g = (Gm)/(r^2)}`

g = gravitational field strength (N/kg)

G = gravitational constant

m = mass of planet (kg)

r = radius of planet (m)

Plug in the given values:

`g = ((6.67*10^(-11))(6.5*10^(23)))/((3.59*10^6)^2) = \boxed{3.364 N/kg}`

Find the weight using the following:

`\large\boxed{W = Mg}`

W = weight (N)

M = mass (kg)

g = gravitational field strength (N/kg)

Plug in the values:

`W = 69.6 * 3.364 = \boxed{234.134 N}`