Question

The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of Mars is about one third the acceleration due to gravity on Earth’s surface. The weight of a space probe on the surface of Mars is about _____.

Answer 1

1/3 the weight than it is on earth, duh

Answer 2

Answer:

$\frac{2}{5}$

Explanation:

Thinking process:

The weight of an object if defined as the gravitational pool on the object. This is the force that pulls an object downward. This is given as follows:

$W = mg$

where w = weight (gravitational pull)

           m = mass of the object (kg)

           g  = acceleration due to gravity (m/s²)

The acceleration due to gravity on Mars is about 3.924 m/s². This is $\frac{2}{5}$ of the acceleration on the earth.

Therefore, the weight of the object on Mars will weigh 2/5 of what it weighs on earth.