Question

An astronaut uses a laboratory balance and weighs an object on earth and again on the moon Which statement below about the weight and mass of the object is true? A) The mass and weight will be identical on the earth and the moon. B) The mass will be the same on earth and moon but the weight will be less on the moon C) Both the mass and weight will be different on earth and moon. D) The weight will be the same on earth and moon but the mass will be less on the moon.

Answer 1

Answer:

B) The mass will be the same on earth and moon but the weight will be less on the moon

Explanation:

Mass of a substance is a intrinsic property. It is same throughout the universe.  On the other hand,

Weight = Mass × Gravitational acceleration

Weight depends on the gravitational acceleration of the planet on which the substance is present.

Thus, the astronaut weight on Moon will be approximately six times less than the weight on Earth as gravitational acceleration on Moon is six times less than the gravitational acceleration on Earth the but number of the atoms in body of the astronaut has not changed and thus, mass is same same at two places.