The gravitational acceleration constant for the moon is -1.62 m/s². If a person has a mass of 76 kg on earth, what is their weight on the moon?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The question asks for weight, not mass. The weight of the object is the force that is the result of the mass of the object on this planet. If you go to the moon, your mass will remain the same but your weight will change. This is because the moon has a different gravity. This changes the acceleration constant. Your weight changes because weight is the force that the object exerts on the ground (or surface it is on). Mass has a unit kilograms, kg, and weight is in the units of Newtons, N, because it is a force. Weight can be calculated by multiplying the mass by the gravitational constant for that planet. Weight = mg The mass of the person is 76 kg The gravitational constant for the moon is 1.62 m/s² W = 76 kg x 1.62 m/s² = 123.12 N which rounds to 123. N *Remember: Mass is the same anywhere in the universe whereas Weight changes.

The Gravitational Acceleration Constant for the Moon Is -1