The planet Jupiter is about 300 times as massive as Earth, yet on its surface you would weigh only about 3 times as much. This is because
A)your mass is 100 times less on Jupiter.
B)Jupiter is significantly farther from the Sun.
C)Jupiter's radius is 10 times Earth's radius.
D)you are 100 times more weightless there.
E)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Weight is the product of an object's mass and the gravitational force acting on it. Jupiter's radius is 10 times that of Earth, so your distance from the center of mass is greater on Jupiter. As gravity weakens with distance, you experience less gravitational force on Jupiter than on Earth, despite the planet's greater mass.

The Planet Jupiter Is About 300 Times as Massive as Earth