Question

An object of mass 0.50 kg is transported to the surface of Planet X where the object's weight is measured to be 20 N. The radius of the planet is 4.0 ´ 106 m. What free fall accerleration will the 0.5 kg object experience when at the surface of Planet X. What is the mass of Planet X? (G = 6.67 ´ 10-11 N × m2/kg2)

Answer 1

Explanation:

The free fall acceleration is:

F = ma

20 N = (0.50 kg) a

a = 40 m/s²

The mass of Planet X is:

F = GMm / r²

20 N = (6.67×10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg²) M (0.50 kg) / (4.0×10⁶ m)²

M = 9.6×10²⁴ kg