Question

On the moon, the gravitational acceleration is approximately one-sixth that on the surface of the earth. A 5-kg mass is "weighed" with a beam balance on the surface of the moon.

a) What is the expected reading?
b) If this mass is weighed with a spring scale that reads correctly for standard gravity on earth, what is the reading?

Answer 1

A. 8.175 N

B. 49.05 N

Step-by-step explanation:

A.

Acceleration due to gravity (moon) = 1/6 * (acceleration due to gravity (earth)

Acceleration due to gravity (earth) = 9.81 m/s2

Acceleration due to gravity (moon) = 9.81/6

= 1.635 m/s

Weight. Fm = acceleration due to gravity * mass

= 1.635 * 5

= 8.175 N

B. Acceleration due to gravity (earth) * mass = Fe

= 9.81 * 5

= 49.05 N