Question

The acceleration due to gravity on Mars is 3.60 m/s2. if this is measured at a distance of 3.4 x 10^6 m from the center of the planet, calculate the mass of Mars.

Answer 1

As we know that acceleration due to gravity is given by

$g = \frac{GM}{r^2}$

here we know that

g = 3.60 m/s^2

M = ?

$r = 3.4 \times 10^6 m$

now we have

$3.60 m/s^2 = \frac{(6.67 \times 10^{-11} Nm^2/kg^2)(M)}{(3.4 \times 10^6)^2m^2}$

$M = 6.24 \times 10^{23} kg$

so above is the mass of Mars