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:

$\large\boxed{g = \frac{Gm}{r^2}}$

g = gravitational field strength (N/kg)

G = gravitational constant

m = mass of planet (kg)

r = radius of planet (m)

Plug in the given values:

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

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:

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