Question

An astronaut sent on a mission to a new planet where the gravitational field strength near the surface is 3.9 N/kg. Using actual mass, find the weight and mass of the astronaut (a) on earth (b) on the new planet and (c) in space.

Answer 1

Answer

a) On the new planet,

$\qquad\qquad \begin{aligned} \small W&=\small 3.9Nkg^{-1}\times m_0\,kg\\ &=\small 3.9m_0\,N \end{aligned}$

b) On earth,

$\qquad\qquad \begin{aligned} \small W_0&=\small 9.8\,Nkg^{-1}\times m_0\,kg\\ &=\small 9.8m_0\,N \end{aligned}$

c) in space

• Weight has no meaning, weightlessness is sensed.

• In all conditions mass of the astronaut remains unchanged, it is a constant.